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
Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, I come from a mix of American farming traditions and German roots on my mom’s side, and a vibrant Uruguayan heritage from Montevideo on my dad’s. Being raised between these cultures shaped my values and my sense of identity. Family, community, and hard work were central to my upbringing, along with a strong love for the arts. Like many children of immigrants, I’m proud of my ancestors’ journeys and the lives they built through perseverance and education. Uruguay’s deep respect for human rights and civic engagement influences my commitment to advocacy and community involvement in Omaha. And of course, both Nebraska and Uruguay have a special love for beef—it’s hard to have a proper celebration without a delicious asado!
Stephan Becerra
LCM Board, Founder of Apex Ag Consulting & U.S. Agri-Tech Sector Business Development Manager
Sayings and Slang
Chicotea los caracoles – Whip the snails (Chile)
This phrase is commonly used to tell someone to hurry up when they’re taking too long.
¿Fueron a matar la vaca o que? – Did they go kill the cow or what? (Mexico)
A playful way to say the restaurant service is taking too long.
Billuyo – Money (Nicaragua)
An informal word for money.
Toper – Food storage container/tupperware (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 recipiente de comida.
- Don’t forget to bring back my tupperwares! Your aunt Lupe likes to keep all my pretty ones.
- ¡No te olvides de traer mis recipientes de comida! A tu tía Lupe le gusta quedarse con todos los bonitos que tengo.
Trailblazer
Guillermo del Toro | Filmmaker
Guillermo del Toro is a Mexican filmmaker, author, and producer whose work blends fantasy, folklore, and stories of outsiders. . Through acclaimed films like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, which earned him three Academy Awards, he’s captivated audiences around the world while exploring fear, power, and resistance to injustice. Beyond filmmaking, Del Toro is a passionate advocate for artists and immigrants, speaking out against anti-immigrant rhetoric and supporting emerging Mexican animators through his Animéxico scholarship initiative. . Through both his storytelling and advocacy, he continues to champion creativity, opportunity, and human dignity.
