While American military veterans are a collective of people called to defend our country, they are also a from various ethnic backgrounds.

News 8’s Cody Adams sat down with multicultural contributor Bibi Heredia to highlight the rich history of Latino service members.

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WISH-TV has taken bold steps to bring more diversity to newsrooms across the country, and is continuing this effort by launching its second year of the Multicultural Media Producing Program.

The program is more than just a semester-long college course – it’s an investment in the future of journalism. Students learn everything from building a newscast to understanding the fast-paced environment of a newsroom.

The Multicultural Media Producing Program was first launched in 2023 by WISH-TV owner and CEO DuJuan McCoy, along with JPMorgan Chase and the DuJuan and Tina McCoy Foundation.

Applications for the program are now open for the spring semester, which starts in January.

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A national nonprofit organization known as Right to Start has launched a new initiative aimed at fostering entrepreneurship across Indiana. Dubbed the Indiana Starters Coalition, this effort seeks to position entrepreneurship as a civic priority and drive economic growth within the state.The Indiana Starters Coalition celebrated its launch earlier this month with an event held at 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis, featuring business leaders and entrepreneurs.

WISH-TV contributor Emil Ekiyor joined News 8 anchor Dakarai Turner for a conversation, giving deeper into the coalition’s objectives.

Ekiyor says promoting entrepreneurship is essential for creating jobs and improving overall economic conditions in the state.

Click here to learn more about the Indiana Starters Coalition and Right to Start.

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Indianapolis is at a pivotal moment in its economic development, setting an ambitious goal of creating 41,000 new tech jobs by 2030. The initiative presents a unique opportunity to ensure that the state’s approach to growth is genuinely inclusive, particularly for Black Hoosiers, who have historically been underrepresented in the tech sector.

Emil Ekiyor, a contributor for WISH-TV, joined News 8 anchor Dakarai Turner to discuss a partnership between InnoPower and TechPoint.

The collaboration aimed to address the critical needs of Black professionals in the tech industry.

Ekiyor emphasized the importance of equitable access to opportunities in the tech field.

The discussion is part of a larger conversation taking place at the TechPoint Mission 41K Summit, which is scheduled for Thursday at the Indiana State Museum.

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This month we’re Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month by highlighting the significant cultural and social contributions of Indiana’s Hispanic community. Our guests include Historian Nicole Martinez LaGrand, who discusses her book documenting over a century of Latino history in the state, Puerto Rican artist Margarita Garcia and Mexican-born ice sculptor Jose Hernandez, who have made lasting impacts through their artistic endeavors.

We also feature Eskenazi Health’s new Spanish-language Life Balance program, designed to address health disparities in the Hispanic community, and spotlighted local business owner Luz Quiza, whose shop, Super Tortas Estilo Barrio, thrives with the support of the Latino Business Network.

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Lizett Itai Cortes Perez dedicates her career to bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients through precise and empathetic translation.

Perez’s journey with IU Health began four months ago when she recognized the vital need for more interpreters in the healthcare system.

She is laser-focused on ensuring patients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make informed decisions about their health. She notes the need for more skilled interpreters only grows more pressing.

Perez’s contributions extend far beyond her work as an interpreter. She also uses her creative talents to design and decorate stunning evening gowns for the annual “Dia de Muertos celebration.”

Perez recently became a U.S. citizen this past August after years of navigating the complexities of the immigration system.

Perez will make her second appearance in the Catrina Parade, donning her latest Day of the Dead gown, at The Eiteljorg Museum on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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The Eiteljorg Museum hopes to captivate visitors with its annual Díade Muertos Community Art and Altar exhibit.The community altar at the Eiteljorg invites visitors to engage with the holiday by adding remembrances for departed loved ones.

The Eiteljorg’s array of community-created altars opened Monday. The public exhibit is free.

Visitors are being encouraged to explore each altar’s offerings of rich symbolism and cultural significance.

The museum’s Día de Muertos celebration will be a vibrant festival from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 26. It will feature a performance by an all-women mariachi band, Mariachi Sirenas, and a lively Catrina Parade.

The Eiteljorg aims to educate, inspire and unite people to celebrate life, death, and the enduring bonds that transcend the physical world.

From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Arte Mexicano en Indianapolis will present “AHORA!” a vibrant fusion of Mexican and Latina/o/e/x and design at the Eiteljorg. People with a paid museum admission can view the art exhibit.

Visitors on Sunday can engage with artists, explore a pop-up gallery of Latino arts, and attend artist’s talks from noon-3 p.m.

Luis Fitch, an internationally renowned Mexican artist and creative entrepreneur, will attend. He’s known for his fine art in urban art settings, including screen prints, stencils, murals, and a Día De Muertos stamp set commissioned by the United States Postal Service.

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Pavel Solanco-Safadit is a versatile, classically trained pianist who truly shines in Latin jazz.

Safadit was born in the Dominican Republic. He came to the United States on a scholarship to study music at the University of Arkansas in 1998. He says the scholarship was his lifeline but he’s never forgotten his roots.

His compositions are a tapestry of cultural influences, weaving together the sounds that have shaped his life and artistry. He knew he wanted to transcend borders and forge connections that echoed far beyond the stage.

Safadit is known for Pavel & Direct Contact, a band widely known for its energetic, fiery performances. The band performs regularly throughout the Indianapolis area and abroad.

Pavel Solanco-Safadit teaches music and has made his mark in Indiana as the executive director of the Amigos Richmond Latino Center. It’s touted as the only Hispanic organization in east central Indiana that empowers families by promoting education and organizing cultural events to bring people together.

Pavel & Direct Contact will help host a big Día de Los Muertos celebration at Jazz Kitchen in Broad Ripple at 7 p.m. Nov. 7. Tickets are available online, with the price ranging from $23.50 to $43.50.

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