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 and raised in San Jose, California, with roots in Guanajuato, Mexico. Growing up between the vibrant Chicano culture of the Bay Area and the deep traditions of my family’s heritage gave me a unique perspective. San Jose taught me early on that being part of a community means embracing differences and showing up for one another. Living in the heart of Silicon Valley—surrounded by tech innovation and powerful social movements—changed the way I see the world. I’ve always admired the strong work ethic in our culture. My family showed me what resilience really looks like—pushing forward no matter the odds and creating opportunities through determination. One thing I’ve always found fascinating about Guanajuato is the Mummies—bodies naturally preserved by the region’s climate and burial practices. It’s a cool reminder of just how rich and surprising our history can be!
Elizabeth Neri
Data and Development Coordinator
Sayings and Slang
Amor con hambre no dura – Love with hunger won’t last (Venezuela)
Advice given to couples warning that without financial security, love is not enough to have a stable relationship.
Culebra no cae en lazo – A snake doesn’t get caught in a rope (Dominican Republic)
Means that an astute or experienced person is not easily deceived.
Nena/Nene – Baby girl/boy (Mexico)
An endearing name for a baby boy or girl.
Priti- Pretty (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 bonita/bonito.
¡Mira que bonita esta la nena!
Look how pretty the baby girl is!
Trailblazer
Francisco Ramirez | Journalist
Francisco Ramirez was a pioneering journalist, editor, and activist whose fearless writing amplified the voices of Mexican-Americans, Chinese, Black residents, and Californios in 19th-century Los Angeles. Born in 1837 into one of L.A.’s founding families—his grandfather built the Avila Adobe—he learned French from neighbor Jean-Louis Vignes and, by age 14, was already editing the Spanish section of the Los Angeles Star. At 17 he founded El Clamor Público, the city’s first all-Spanish newspaper, using its pages to expose racial injustices and urge disenfranchised communities toward civic engagement. Even after the paper folded in 1859, Ramirez went on to serve as L.A. postmaster, state translator, and, with no formal schooling, a respected lawyer—his life a testament to the transformative power of journalism and activism.
