Arim Topete hopes the eighth annual Hispanic Leadership Summit in Reno will unite the Hispanic community and promote awareness of its concerns.
Topete is coordinator of the family summit portion of the event and the Northern Nevada International Center language bank coordinator.
The event begins Thursday evening with a reception and is open to the public. She estimates about 1,000 people will attend the free summit at the University of Nevada, Reno's Jot Travis Student Union.
"We are trying to educate the Hispanic community of Northern Nevada regarding important issues that are facing the Latino community," she said Friday.
"So most sessions are regarding immigration and the current changes that are affecting the Hispanic people, especially after 9/11."
The summit includes students and adults. It opens at 7 p.m. Thursday with a "Mayan Expressions" art exhibit and reception. Benedicto Ixtamer Perez uses vivid colors to depict the life and culture of the Mayans.
Friday begins with the Latinas' breakfast. Topics include health and access to Social Security.
Topete is looking forward to Friday's youth congress. More than 400 high school students will discuss education, health and youth leadership.
"We are trying to link the youth with some organizations and into community service," she said.
Saturday's family summit will also educate families and serve as a link to community organizations, she said.
Mariana Bustamante, director of education of the American Civil Liberties Union's Immigrants' Rights Project, will speak on human rights and the rights of Latinos. One topic she will discuss is racial profiling.
Contact Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.
If you go
What: Hispanic Leadership Summit
Thursday: 7 p.m. Opening art exhibit and reception, "Mayan Expressions: La Cultura y La Vida de la Gente Indigena" exhibit by Benedicto Ixtamer Perez
Friday: 7:30 a.m. Latinas' breakfast, 11 a.m. opening plenary: youth congress
Saturday: 8 a.m. family summit
Where: University of Nevada, Reno Jot Travis Student Union
Information: 784-7515
