Lin-Manuel Miranda, the songwriter, actor, filmmaker and playwright known for creating the Broadway musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton,” will serve as the keynote speaker at U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez’s 13th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, to be held Sunday at Union City High School.
The event honors and celebrates the contributions of Hispanic Americans in New Jersey and throughout the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Jersey is home to over 2 million people of Hispanic origin.
“It is an incredible honor to welcome Lin-Manuel Miranda to New Jersey and to celebrate his accomplishments as we uplift the stories of the Latino community,” Menendez (D-N.J.) said. “Lin-Manuel’s contributions to the performing arts are as rich as they are numerous. His works have highlighted not only history, but also the people and stories that make our nation so beautiful. Beyond his artistic achievements, Lin-Manuel’s civic activism has improved the lives of countless individuals here and in Puerto Rico, and we are grateful for his selfless generosity.”
In addition to his incredible contributions to the performing arts, Miranda has also been civically active for causes that affect Hispanic communities. For over 40 years, the Miranda family has championed community activism and Latino-led organizations. Through the Miranda Family Fund and Miranda Family Fellowship, they have created and fostered institutions that work with underserved populations in Upper Manhattan and communities throughout New York City, across the country, and in Puerto Rico. They are active supporters of initiatives that increase people of color’s representation throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health and promote resilience in Puerto Rico.
This event, which is free and open to the public, will feature cultural performances by Esperanza Azteca and Mr. Peru Dance Group. The master of ceremonies for the event is two-time Emmy award-winning NBC 4 New York meteorologist Raphael Miranda, who in 2012 played an integral part in the station’s wall-to-wall coverage of Superstorm Sandy.
Members of the public wishing to attend the event should RSVP here. Space is limited, and tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
