The Boston Park Plaza Hotel ballroom buzzed with vibrant energy as more than 600 people laughed, embraced, and spoke in lively Spanish during one of the city of Boston’s first Hispanic Heritage Month events.
The aroma of rich coffee and savory breakfast dishes filled the air as Latinos from all parts of Massachusetts gathered for the annual breakfast put together by the city and El Mundo Boston, the oldest Latino media outlet in Massachusetts. Prominent politicians like Mayor Michelle Wu and Governor Maura Healey sat on a long table on the stage at the sold-out event as speakers thanked Latinos for their contributions to both Boston and the state.
The event took place during the first week of Boston’s Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. During the month, the city will host a Latin music and dance festival, a senior luncheon, and a Latinx history celebration to celebrate its growing Latino community.
“We celebrate our differences; we know we are stronger for our diversity and that’s why we need to show off our incredible Hispanic heritage here in the commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Healey said during her speech.
The governor told the audience it’s the time, more than ever, to have each other’s back because Massachusetts is a family. She also encouraged everyone to register to vote in the November presidential election.
The event started around 7 a.m. with a speech from Alberto Vasallo, chief executive officer and president of El Mundo Boston.
“We will start in five American minutes, not Latino time,” said Vasallo, joking about the stereotype that Hispanics always take their time, to a room that echoed with laughter.
El Mundo Boston presented awards to different Latino groups and organizations in the state. Tony Molina, veteran and president of the Puerto Rican Veterans Association, was honored with the paper’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in Boston’s Hispanic community since arriving in 1965. Molina is a Purple Heart recipient and former Marine who served in Vietnam.
“I want to dedicate this to all the veterans who serve the nation, given their blood and life,” he said.
El Mundo also honored the Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston with the Community Partner of the Year award. The group is made up of hundreds of members, which include the Boston Police Department, the Boston Fire Department, corrections officers and security officers at colleges and universities who have performed volunteer work in the community.
Speakers at the event also thanked the Latino community at the Museum of Science, Harvard University, and even at the Red Sox for their contributions. They thanked local Latino law enforcement officers and veterans for their hard work representing the Hispanic community out on the field.
“We care for people in their worst moments of their life,” said David Hernandez, Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston’s president.
The speakers also made several jokes about Vasallo’s luscious hair.
Healey brought out a can of hairspray and a brush that Vasallo left at her office and joked that he needed it, but she might keep it for fun. Wu said Vasallo can’t ride a bike because, “one day he put on his helmet, and when he took it off, he saw his hair and said no, never again.” A loud laughter swarmed the audience.
Attendees talked about how much the breakfast and Hispanic Heritage Month meant to them.
“Growing up, I was one of the only Latinos in my school, now there’s so many,” said Ana Villalbos Topete, 23, a bilingual educator at the Museum of Science. “I’m very proud of being able to provide experiences I really wanted as a kid.”
Marubency Soto and her sister, Valerie Soto, recognized how supportive and welcoming Boston has become toward the Hispanic community over the years. Soto, who works at the Children Services Clinic in Roxbury, pointed to all the people who showed up to the event.
“People are realizing more of our potential and resilience,” she said.
Rachel Umansky-Castro can be reached at rachel.umanskycastro@globe.com.
