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 Omaha, Nebraska, but my roots can be found in Guanajuato, Mexico. Family and tradition are at the heart of my culture, and shape the way we celebrate life. I’m proud of how we express ourselves through music, dance, art, and of course food! Traditional music like mariachi, dances such as cumbia and Jarabe Tapatío, as well as delicious dishes like enchiladas, and tamales are part of what makes our culture so rich and colorful. Mexico’s richness goes beyond its traditions—it’s home to dozens of indigenous languages like Mayan, Zapotec, and Mazatec. Staying connected to this heritage is more than important to me—it’s my source of strength and pride!
Melissa Lara
Student Advocate at Marrs Middle School
Sayings and Slang
No es MexiCAN’T es MexiCAN – It’s not MexiCAN’T, it’s MexiCAN (U.S.A)
This phrase is commonly used by Mexican-Americans/Chicanos as a source of patriotic pride and motivation, especially during moments of discouragement related to their nationality.
¡Hechale ganas! – Give it your all! (Mexico)
Used as encouragement during difficult times or tasks to motivate one to keep pushing themselves.
Buena onda – Good vibes (El Salvador)
Used to describe someone that radiates positive energy.
El ticket – Tickets (Spanglish)
Most of our staff are bilingual, and at our office, you’ll hear a variety of Spanglish words. The correct word in Spanish isentrada (for a show/event) and boleto (for travel).
- We just bought our Destino 2025 tickets, we can’t wait to celebrate our community!
- Acabamos de comprar los tickets de Destino 2205, ¡estamos ansiosos por celebrar a nuestra comunidad!
Trailblazer
Ramon Contreras | Activist
Ramon Contreras is a political organizer and gun violence prevention advocate. After losing a close friend to gun violence in his Harlem neighborhood, he co-founded Youth Over Guns, organizing a march across the Brooklyn Bridge that drew thousands of youth activists. Ramon later joined March for Our Lives as a National Field Strategist, traveling to 60+ cities to mobilize young voters for the 2018 midterms. He has since consulted on local, state, and federal campaigns and served as an Advisor for the DNC’s Organizing Corps 2020. Today, Ramon serves as Vice President at Mercury Public Affairs, a leading national bipartisan firm specializing in government relations and strategic communications.
