Cultura
The Latino Center of the Midlands is a place where being Latino, Latina, or Latinx is celebrated. We’re a community center where culture thrives; a place where the door is open to everyone. Our community comes from many different countries and we created this page to celebrate that diversity.
Cultural Spotlight
I was born in California, raised between Mexico and Nebraska, and my family is from Guadalajara, Jalisco—a city of rich traditions, vibrant colors, and unforgettable flavors. Food is central to my culture; every dish connects us to memories, stories, and community. I carry that same sense of togetherness everywhere, finding family in friends and even strangers. Mexico’s diverse regions, each with unique foods and traditions, remind me how our differences make the culture even more colorful and full of life.
Lorena Zamarripa
Workforce Education & Innovation Manager
Sayings and Slang
A falta de amor, unos tacos de pastor – In the absence of love, get some tacos de pastor (MEXICO)
This phrase is used to express that in the absence of love, food is a source of comfort.
Dios aprieta pero no ahorca – God squeezes but does not choke (Puerto RIco)
This phrase is said during difficult times to encourage optimism and remind us that God sometimes puts us in difficult situations but also gives us the strength to overcome them.
Se murio el payaso – The clown has died (Peru)
Used when a situation, usually negative and long, has ended.
Sangüichería – Sandwich Shop (Spanglish)
Most of our staff are bilingual, and at our office, you’ll hear a variety of Spanglish words. The correct word in Spanish is bocatería.
Después de la escuela, ¡deberíamos ir a la sangüichería a comer!
After school, we should go to the sandwich shop to eat!
Trailblazer
Jaime Escante, Educator
Jaime Escalante was an extraordinary educator who transformed countless lives through his passion for teaching. Born in La Paz, Bolivia, he immigrated to East Los Angeles and taught math at Garfield High School, where many students were underestimated. With dedication, creativity, and unwavering belief in their potential, he inspired them to excel, with many passing the rigorous AP Calculus exam. His story, portrayed in “Stand and Deliver,” became a symbol of hope for communities facing educational inequities. Escalante’s legacy shows that with high expectations, support, and hard work, every student can achieve greatness.
