LANSING, Mich.—The Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan was founded in 1974 to improve the quality of life for Latino and Hispanic people.
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Mid-Michigan NOW spoke with Veronica Beltran who is one of 15 commissioners appointed by Michigan’s Governor to be on the commission.
She says her group works alongside the Governor and the Legislature to highlight and help solve problems in the Hispanic community.
“This commission would serve as a conduit between the government and the Latino community” Beltran said.
Beltran represents Wayne County but she travels across the state to hear about a variety of issues.
She remembers a discussion she had in Flint, where people brought up issues like education, housing, and the economy.
The commission uses discussion like those to advise state leaders on how they can help the Hispanic and Latino community.
Beltran says during the height of Covid-19 Pandemic, migrant workers were not considered essential workers and were not given masks from the state.
She says the commission was the driving force to get the workers protective equimpent.
The commission also helps in a variety of other ways like securing money for organizations, giving out scholarships, and preserving their culture.
For the first time the group will be hosting a folkloric festival, where Latin American dance and singing groups will perform.
That event will be taking place on October 10th from 4 to 6 p.m. at Wayne State University.
