Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

As #HispanicHeritageMonth comes to an end, we’d like to remember how the celebration first began. The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988, President Ronald expanded the celebration to cover a 30-day period from September 15 to October 15 to provide more time to properly recognize how Latino and Hispanic communities have influenced American society. September 15 was chosen as the first day because five Central American countries celebrate their Independence Day on this date—Costa Rica, EL Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. These countries declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. The Latino presence and influence in business, history, and more in the United States spans centuries. Today, the Latino population in the US exceeds 65 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.?

There’s still time to register! Join us on Wednesday, October 23rd for an insightful and timely discussion with Mike Madrid, author, political consultant, Co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and expert on Latino voting trends, on his latest book, “The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy,” moderated by acclaimed journalist, Ray Suarez. Doors open at 5:30pm ET and program begins at 6:00pm ET. This Hispanic heritage celebration event at the Kennedy Institute is brought to you in partnership with Conexion and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. Register at the link below: https://lnkd.in/dtZVkg-S

An atmosphere as politically-charged as today can make it challenging for organizations to communicate key messages about their mission and values without risking controversy. Read Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds three tips to help companies communicate their values effectively and appropriately during this election season in PRNEWS. https://lnkd.in/gb4Ncgq9

Statement on the passing of Ethel Kennedy from Edward M. Kennedy Institute Board Chair Bruce A. Percelay and CEO Adam Hinds All of us at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate mourn the passing of Ethel Kennedy. As the widow of the late Senator Robert Kennedy, she not only was a tireless champion of the causes that defined his legacy, but she also showed, through the example of her own life, how one person, driven by purpose and public service, can make better the life of the world. ?? Through the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, Mrs. Kennedy worked to create a more just and peaceful world, holding governments accountable and inspiring new generations of human rights advocates. For her significant contributions to improving our world, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States. Mrs. Kennedy was the beloved matriarch of a large, extended family and a warm and engaging friend to those who were privileged to know her. She will be deeply missed. We honor the memory of a remarkable woman and extend our deepest sympathy to the entire Kennedy family.??

We are so grateful to the educators across grades who bring their students to our little peninsula! To learn more about our school programming for grades K-12, visit our website: https://lnkd.in/egwCktbq

Happy #HispanicHeritageMonth! Today, we are highlighting Nelson Merced, a Latino politician and activist and the first Hispanic person elected to a statewide office in Massachusetts. Born in New York, Merced spent much of his childhood moving between the Northeast and Puerto Rico before settling in Massachusetts in 1976. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1988 and served the Fifth District of Suffolk County, which included Roxbury and North Dorchester. During his tenure, Merced advocated for immigrant rights, the protection and expansion of bilingual education in Massachusetts schools, and the reform of Boston Public Schools to better serve marginalized communities. (Photo credit: Northeastern University Library DRS)

The Kennedy Institute’s “On the Point” Summer/Fall 2024 newsletter is here! Check out the latest news and events from the Institute including: ? The launch of our new civic-education program on AI policy.? ? Highlights from our summer Senate Project debate with Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse moderated by NBC’s Chuck Todd.? ? Watch our latest virtual event with experts from The Stanford d.school on how election administrators invest hours planning the voting process.? ? Register for our upcoming book event on Democracy in the Latino Century with Mike Madrid and Ray Suarez on Oct. 23rd. https://lnkd.in/e_k4T32N?

It’s #HispanicHeritageMonth! Today, we are remembering the Mendez v. Westminster School District case. This landmark ruling prohibited segregation in California public schools. In the case, the Mendez family and several others sued four school districts for denying them enrollment to Westminster Elementary School due to their Mexican heritage. At the time of the case, Mexican Americans were considered racially white. However, they were being denied entry to the school based on ancestry and supposed “language deficiency.” On March 18, 1946, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs on the basis that the social, psychological, and pedagogical costs of segregated education were damaging to Mexican American students. The school districts appealed, but the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the decision on April 14, 1947 and ruled that the schools’ actions violated California law. The ruling helped set the precedent for the historic Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court case seven years later. Pictured is Sylvia Mendez, who played an instrumental role in the case and continues her work as a civil rights activist. (Photo credit: LA District USACE)

Join us on Wednesday, October 23rd for an insightful and timely discussion with Mike Madrid, author, political consultant, Co-founder of The Lincoln Project, and expert on Latino voting trends, on his latest book, “The Latino Century: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy,” moderated by acclaimed journalist, Ray Suarez. Doors open at 5:30pm ET and program begins at 6:00pm ET. This Hispanic heritage celebration event at the Kennedy Institute is brought to you in partnership with Conexion and the Massachusetts Business Roundtable. Register at the link below: https://lnkd.in/dtZVkg-S

Kennedy Institute CEO Adam Hinds sat down with EDTech Innovation Hub to discuss the launch of our new AI policy program, part of our award-winning Senate Immersion Module. This new program enhances civic and digital literacy, and helps students navigate key tech issues like AI, data privacy, and social media regulation in a hands-on, legislative environment. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eUtXHkrx