Mission
Promote awareness of the Hispanic culture and its contributions in developing the United States of America.
Purpose
The Hispanic Heritage Committee presents Fiesta Hispana to commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month as proclaimed annually by the President of the United States as requested by Congress. Fiesta Hispana promotes wide recognition and appreciation for the significant role and contributions of Hispanics in the development of the United States through promoting cultural, educational and economic development advancement of the Hispanic community.
History
Hispanics have contributed critical aid to the United States of America since its fledgling colonial inception and struggle to survive. Walt Whitman, revered 17th century poet, wrote that he believed the Hispanics were a people of destiny upon whom the very future of the nation would depend.
From the time the early settlers arrived in this land they dubbed "New England," the indigenous Hispanic native Americans shared their ingenuous methods of survival and customs. For example, they were taught to cultivate maize (corn) and its variable uses as a highly nourishing food or libation.
Hispanics have fought and died for America in every war she has ever had, from her earliest battles against the British to the current wars with Iraq and terrorism of the Middle East.
In celebration of our Hispanic/Latino contributions to America's greatness Fiesta Hispana is produced by the committee board of directors, advisory members and CEO Emerita with the cooperation of collaborative partners Guadalupe Centers, Inc., Labor Council for Latin American Advancement/AFL-CIO, Mattie Rhodes Counseling & Art Center and LULAC Educational Service Center of Kansas City and support from philanthropic benefactors and corporate sponsors. Under the leadership of co-founders Jose Gonzalez, Becky Jaramillo and Ninfa Garza and their spouses Fiesta Hispana began in 1980 as a small street festival growing into a grand tradition since 1983 at downtown Kansas City's Barney Allis Plaza. With an average overall attendance of 40 to 50,000 Fiesta Hispana is now the largest free admission public Hispanic event in the metro area and the Midwest.
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