New England Aquarium and Hispanic Access Foundation Celebrate Latino Conservation Week and Hispanic Heritage Month

WHAT: The New England Aquarium and the Hispanic Access Foundation are celebrating Latino Conservation Week and Hispanic Heritage Month. Hosted at the Simons Theatre, the special event will feature the screening of two films highlighting Latino environmental leaders and their work.

Debuting on the big screen at the Simons Theatre, Beyond Borders: Tales of Monarcas, Rivers and Two Nations, highlights four different Latino leaders throughout the country whose livelihoods depend on natural resources like clean air and water. Those natural resources – especially those stemming from the Mississippi River and greater watershed – are in danger from climate change, pollution, overuse of resources, and nature loss. The film illustrates the stake Latinos and monarchs, to whom they are deeply connected, have in the health of the Mississippi River watershed, the threats it faces, and the solutions communities can take part in.

Following this debut is a screening of El Canto Del Mar, a short documentary film that follows four generations of Latinos across the United States as they explore their relationship to the ocean and their culture, and discover their role in protecting and preserving both.

The films will be followed by a panel discussion focused on the issues that the films cover, the importance of Latino Conservation Week, and how more members of the Hispanic and Latino communities can be involved in conservation work. In the lobby of the Simons Theatre, tables will feature the work of Hispanic and Latino organizations in the Boston, and a dance performance by Bajucol Dance Company will open the event in the auditorium. The films will have subtitles in both English and Spanish.

WHEN: Thursday, September 19, 2024, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: The New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre, 1 Central Wharf, Boston. Purchase tickets here.

WHO: Panelists include:

• Joye Williams, Co-founder, Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition (BHWCC) and Director of Operations, Save the Harbor
  • A Dorchester native and raised in a community-oriented environment, Joye’s early volunteer work with organizations like the Franklin Park Coalition and Lemuel Shattuck Hospital laid the groundwork for her commitment to service.
  • With a background at the Food Project, Joye blends professional experience with a passion for community engagement. Her love for the beach and gardening fuels her dedication to preserving public spaces. As a member of the Trustees and co-owner of the Dorchester CoOp, Joye actively contributes to local business and sustainable practices.
  • Former Co-chair of the Food Project’s Youth Professionals Council, Joye is a Corporate Partner of the United Plant Savers and the founder of Joyefully Natural, a herbal remedies business. Through her multifaceted efforts, Joye continues to drive positive change, exemplifying the impact of community-driven initiatives on holistic well-being.

• Maya Smith, Director of Partnerships & Program Development at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and Co-Founder of the Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition
  • As a young person growing up in Haverhill, MA, Maya wanted to be a teacher and went to Suffolk University to study Education and Sociology with a concentration in Youth and Community Engagement. She quickly realized that her true interest was in youth programming and spent five years during and after college working at the City of Boston Department of Youth Engagement & Employment, growing from an engagement intern to the Youth Outreach Coordinator. She joined Save the Harbor/Save the Bay in 2019 to continue her mission of connecting youth and community members with free resources. She is deeply passionate about equitable and inclusive access to public green and blue spaces, particularly the beaches along Boston Harbor. She co-founded the Boston Harbor Women of Color Coalition in 2021 to create more pathways for women of color to engage in environmental work and to support the incredible women of color already doing the work.

• Moy Hernandez, Executive Director of the Hope Center/Cast Member
  • Moy Mendez is the Executive Director of the Hope Center, a non-profit focused on community economic development, where he leads strategic initiatives in agriculture, technology, and auto mechanics. With over 25 years of experience in leading teams, Moy has a proven track record of launching and transforming organizations into high performing teams. He holds an associate’s degree in computer programming, a bachelor’s degree in pastoral studies, a master’s degree in philosophy of religion, and is currently pursuing an MBA. In his spare time, Moy enjoys nature walks and reading.

• Oscar Hernandez, Cast Member
  • A passionate conservationist, Oscar Hernandez Ledesma has long had a special love for all that the outdoors has to offer. As a first-generation son to two Mexican immigrants, Oscar has a unique perspective on the importance of stewarding the lands that surround us – that not only are the outdoors a place for wildlife to thrive, but that they also provide important spaces for people to gather, create memories, and bond. He believes there is no one path to experiencing and enjoying the outdoors and that each person’s individual experiences and connections are valid.

WHY: Latino Conservation Week was created in 2014 to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and participating in activities to protect our natural resources, and inform policymakers, the media, and the general English and Spanish-speaking public of the Latino community’s views on important local and national conservation issues. With over 300 events throughout the week, from hiking and camping to community roundtables and film screenings, these activities promote conservation efforts in their community, and provide an opportunity for Latinos to show their support for permanently protecting our land, water, and air.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenn Seabolt, 808-372-9065; jenn@teakmedia.com