Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Sept. 24, 2015, edition 1 / Page 4
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Hispanic League prepares for 23rd annual Fiesta ^Proceeds will go to support scholarships for students BYTEV1N STINSON THE CHRONICLE On Saturday, Sept. 26, the Hispanic League will hold its annual Fiesta street festival in downtown Winston-Salem. The festival, which is free to the public, is the biggest fundraiser for the Hispanic League of Winston-Salem. Mari Jo Turner, execu tive director of the Hispanic League, is expecting this year's event to be bigger than ever. Turner said over 25,000 people are expected to attend this year's festival. "We're really excited about this year's Fiesta," said Turner. "Fiesta has always been our biggest event. We get a lot of sup port from the entire com munity." This years multicultural festival will feature Latin music, cultural programs, Latin cuisine, local arts and crafts as well as a chil dren's area. For those of legal drinking age, the festival will also have a beer and margarita garden. "We really do have something for everyone," Turner said. "We encourage every one to come join us. Not only is it fun for the entire family, it's also for a good cause as well." All the funds raised from Fiesta sponsors, ven dors and donations support cultural, health education, and college scholarship programs for the Hispanic/Latino communi ty year-round. Since 2000, the Hispanic League has awarded 286 scholarships to Hispanic/Latino students in Forsyth County. "We have really grown over the years. This year, we awarded 36 scholar ships," said Turner. "We take pride in the work we do in the local schools. We work with a number of middle schools and high school in the area." Recently, the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence selected the Hispanic League as a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education for Hispanics. Turner said the Hispanic League is hon ored to be recognized as one of the Bright Spots in Hispanic Education that has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the educational attainment of Hispanics. "It is a reflection of the generous support of our sponsors, volunteers and community," she said. The Hispanic League was started in 1992 with a mission to improve the quality of life for Hispanics and Latinos. Over the years, the nonprofit organi zation has also worked with a number of organiza tions that work with the African-American commu nity as well, such as the Winston-Salem Urban League. Recently the Hispanic League worked with the S.G. Atkins Community Development Corporation during its first Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show. "When I first came here, we only had two events," said Turner. "Over the past few years, we have become more involved in the community, not just with the Hispanic/Latino community but in the African-American commu nity as well." Similar to past festi vals, the 23rd Annual Fiesta will extend from Fourth Street to Holly Avenue, Winston Square Park and includes Poplar Street, Spruce Street and the Sawtooth Center for Visual Aits. Here in America, and other countries Sept. IS to Oct. 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Turner said the Fiesta is a great opportunity for the com munity to learn about the Hispanic Heritage. "With this being Hispanic Heritage Month, Fiesta is a great way to learn about the Hispanic/Latino Heritage." For more information on the 23rd Annual Fiesta or on the Hispanic League visit www.hispani cleague.org Turntr 'Splendidly done': 1 st Multicultural Bridal Fair gains accolades Logan Motsinger of Cahill & Swaim shows off leisure attire for the groom. >k,. *" 4 r ?. Photo* by Roslyn Payne. TYinity Studio* Inc. Multicultural weddings can take many forms, as shown by models who repre sent (L-R) a Latino group, an Asian bride and an African group. SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE The first Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show for a local confer ence center was "Splendidly done." This event was both entertaining and resource ful, allowing potential mar ried couples access to sig nificant resources for a wedding in a relaxed atmosphere. "Splendidly done, says Mustafa Shabazz of R E M A X Referred Properties. Many of the attendees, ven dors and par ticipants of the first Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show held Saturday, Sept. 12 at The Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center in Winston Salem echoed Shabazz's comments. The theme of the bridal fair and fashion show was "Building an Inclusive Community: Celebrating love and the Union of Families." The goal of the event was to bring people of all backgrounds from all parts of Winston-Salem together to learn how diverse cul tures celebrate through dif ferent wedding attire. A category for "men only" wedding attire was also featured. Latino, African, Asian, Indian and tradition al American wedding gowns and tuxedos were showcased. The bridal fair was filled with entertainment and food. Live music was provided by Generations Band, which is managed by William L. Fair Sr. A unique part of the bridal fair was a couples "boot camp," which helps the bride and groom to get fit for their special day. Maurice Crocker, owner of Showtime Physique, says the bridal fair was truly a success and he was pleased to be a part of the first Multicultural Bridal Fair and Fashion Show. He says he's seen several new potential clients from the event and hopes to partner again next year for another successful event. Another event highlight was a "mock" African wed ding. Flora Minja and Teddy and Talkia Tumbi, owners of Deda's Couture by 3, designed and created the African wedding cloth ing and performed the mock wedding called the "Masai" from East Africa Tanzania. Erika's Inspirations provided Latino wear and Destiny's Wardrobe showcased tradi tional American Wedding Attire. Cahill and Swain and Black Tie Formal Wear provided men leisure and formal wedding attire. Kendra Lassiter, who is planning her wedding for March 2016, attended the event. Lassiter says the bridal fair was very well organized. She said there were a variety of every thing available for the bride to be, from speaking with meeting planners on differ ent ideas for theme wed dings to information on honey moon desti nations, delicious food, desserts entrees, dee jay, photog rapher and florist. Telissa Ward, owner of Destiny's WarHrohp summed it up this way: "This event definitely achieved its goal of bring ing all backgrounds togeth er to celebrate a common thread we all share, which is love and marriage. One of the highlights was the fashion show. It was a beautiful sight to see the different types of brides, all on one stage. It was breath taking." The Enterprise Conference and Banquet Center hosts wedding cere monies and receptions. For more information, contact Patricia Degrqffinreaidt, event manager, at 336-734-6916 or email: sgatkinscdc2@gmail.com. "This event definitely achieved its goal of bringing all backgrounds together to celebrate a common thread we all share." -Telissa Ward, owner of Destiny's Wardrobe iH^V jii&; k ? i i L j ?jyiPiH^^^MBiPi^ JH ?? HjL j i. - J%-: f?@ll H ^?gM HBto ^B I ? BR; . W : .'. R ,^|H Have an Opinion? Let us Know letters@wschronicle.com
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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