FLAGSTAFF — Members of the Coconino County’s Diversity Councils took part in annual Coconino County Diversity Day celebration held Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Coconino County Courthouse Lawn, Flagstaff.
The event included information booths presented by a variety of groups including various Coconino County departments including Parks and Recreation, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC), the Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, the Peace Corps, Northern Arizona University’s Office of Inclusion and other organizations.
Coconino County officials have stated the county celebrates diversity by appreciating individual differences and recognizing our organization which fosters an inclusive work environment in which all employees are inspired to contribute their best, strengthened by their different perspectives, backgrounds and life experiences.
Flagstaff High School celebrated its 2023 Hispanic Convocation with the largest group of students in recent memory on Wednesday, May 10. Nearly 90 students took the stage to receive their colorful sarape sashes from new United Way of Northern Arizona President and CEO Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Archuleta, FHS Principal Libby Miller; Assistant Principal Trish Eberlein, Assistant Principal Matthew Barquin and Athletic Director Jeannine Brandel.
Archuleta, who provided the keynote address, urged the students to consider themselves as leaders, envision their successful futures and remember they belong in the room and the conversation as they move ahead in their careers.
She drew upon her personal story, as a child whose parents attended FHS, as an NAU graduate, a former Coconino County Supervisor and her recent role as a member of the Harris-Biden Administration. She recently began her service as the head of the United Way of Northern Arizona.
Principal Miller and the administration also thanked in the program Susan Mendez, Ellie Rodríguez, Jeannine Brandel in the program, along with special thanks to Mike and Sarah Cromer.
Click here and here for short videos of the event.
The event is one of a number of Hispanic Convocation celebrations this month which included the Coconino High School Hispanic Convocation and the Northern Arizona University Convocation.
The Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) and supporters participated in the annual Flagstaff Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 11 in downtown Flagstaff.
Presented by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce and the Vora Financial Group, the parade features more than 100 entries.
FLAGSTAFF — The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC) held its inagural drop-off Community Food Drive as a socially distant alternative to its annual César E. Chávez celebration from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 27 at the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños,, 2532 E. 7th Ave., at the corner of 4th and 7th streets, Flagstaff.
Nearly 500 pounds of food were collected, along with nearly $500 in cash donations.
All donations went to the Flagstaff Family Food Center for distribution to the community.
CHAC members braved gusty winds and chilly temperatures to set up the donation boxes just outside the Market of Dreams / Mercado de los Sueños.
Community members were invited drop off such donations as:
Peanut Butter, canned vegetables, tuna and other canned protein, pasta, cereal and canned fruit.
Thank you very much for supporting the community. Your help is very much appreciated.
Sincerely,
John Haro, Chair
Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council
About CHAC: The Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council was established in 2001 with thepurpose of advising the County Board of Supervisors on issues and concerns that affect the Hispanic community in Coconino County. In addition to serving as an advisory group to the county supervisors,the council has identified the following five major areas of focus:
To conduct forums on issues and concerns of the Hispanic community
To promote awareness of the need for diversity in employment, training and economicdevelopment
To assist Coconino County in recruiting and retaining Hispanic employees
To promote Hispanic culture, arts, historic activities and events
To examine and make policy recommendations in the areas of education, housing, land use, health, social services, recreation and criminal justice issues.
Prior to the pandemic, CHAC members presented such activities as the annual César E. Chávez Community Recognition Breakfast at American Legion Post 3; and took part in such events as the annual Armed Forces Day Parade, the Cinco de Mayo dinner/dance at the American Legion Post 3 and the 4th of July Parade. Members look forward to taking part in such events in 2022.
Click on image above to see slideshow of entire event
FLAGSTAFF— Area Purple Heart recipients and their family members received a well-deserved community recognition, while a representative from the Cesar Chavez Foundation recounted the organization’s past while outlining the steps to share the vision César E. Chávez to a new generation, during the fifth annual César E. Chávez Community Recognition Breakfast held Friday, March 29, 2019 at American Legion Mark A. Moore Post No. 3, Flagstaff.
The celebration, which drew a record audience of 150-plus commuity members, dignitaries and elected officials, was presented by the Coconino County Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC).
Purple Heart recipients honored during the event included Daniel M. Bernardo, Lance Davison, Clory Duran, Miguel Eugene Garcia, Joseph Hudson, Marc. A Hunter, Lori Ann Piestewa, Simon A. Sandoval Jr., Tom G. Urias and Guadalupe Velasco Jr.
Bill Barquin, chair of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and chief operating officer for the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s Communications Fund and its flagship program — Radio Compesina, served as keynote speaker. Barquinhas been recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a 40 under 40 Leader in Arizona, as well as a recipient of the Univision Communications “40 Under 40 Hispanic Leaders in Arizona” and Cox Communication’s Hispanic Leader of Arizona.
The celebration also included the presentation of the Community Life Time Award presented to the memory of Robert A. Reyes, a U.S. Navy veteran who passed away on Dec. 31, 2018. “Bobby” was a past State Commander of the American Legion and retired in 2014 as the Post Adjutant.
The 2019 Community Leadership Award was presented to Joe Gutierrez, who has been a principal at Killip Elementary School in Sunnyside for 24 years. Student awards were presented to Omar Gomez, a senior at Northern Arizona University and David Joseph Melendez-Salgado, also a senior at Northern Arizona University.
Planning is already under way for the 2020 celebration. CHAC also plans to honor other area Purple Heart recipients at its future monthly meetings. Recipients or their family members should provide contact information to Susan Garretson at sgarretson@coconino.az.gov
CHAC 