It’s Latino Heritage month and ISU is honoring those of Latino heritage with several events. Tonight, students have a chance to attend another. The radio personality Ingrid Ramirez will speak at 8 p.m. in the 3rd Floor East Lounge in the Bone Student Center.

Ramirez hosts “WJBC en Espanol,” a Spanish language radio program at WJBC that airs Sundays at 8 p.m. The theme of this year’s Latino Heritage month made Ramirez an easy pick, according to the Interim Director of ISU’s Latin American and Latino Studies program, Rocio Rivadeneyra.

“Our theme this year is ‘Latinos in Media,’ so she obviously fits that being in radio,” she said.

Though Ramirez now lives locally, this hasn’t always been the case. She was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and worked as an actress there for several years. During that time she founded “Proyecto Sonrisa,” or “Smile Project,” which provided theater workshops for the elderly.

After that she got her certification as a screenwriter for both movies and television from Universidad del Sagrado Corazon in Puerto Rico, and then her master’s degree in cinema screenwriting from Universidad Internacional Audiovisual Menendez Pelayo in Valencia, Spain.

At the present, Ramirez works as a production writer for Creative Services at State Farm in addition to hosting her radio program at WJBC. In her message, Ramirez will discuss what it’s like being a Latina in media and how her program works for the good of the local Latino community.

“It [the presentation] will give students a chance to see that we have a burgeoning Latino community here in Bloomington-Normal,” said Rivadeneyra. She added Ramirez’s message will encourage the local Latino community to use the resources they have in the area.

“This is a good thing not just for members of the community but for students to see what’s going on, especially if they have any interest in Latino Studies. She [Ramirez] tries to bring people from the community that are doing good work and highlights what they’re doing,” said Rivadeneyra, adding that because Ramirez is in the media, she has plenty of connections and can act as a go-between for the people in her community.

Sophomore criminal justice major, Martin Santoyo, believes Ramirez’ visit will be beneficial to everyone.

“I believe this is a good way to connect to the community. She will probably explain how she got to where she is now, and how someone else could do the same. I think being a Latina in the media is a big accomplishment,” he said.

“Part of Latino Heritage month, besides highlighting what we have at ISU, is highlighting it for the community,” said Rivadeneyra.

In addition to Ingrid Ramirez’ presentation, the Latino Heritage month celebration also welcomes several notable figures of the Latin American community, including authors, scholars and composers. The celebration’s final feature is the “Latin American Encounters” concert on Oct. 20 at the Kemp Recital Hall on campus.