LANSING, MI (9-16-26) – Hundreds gathered at VFW Post 701 in Lansing Tuesday evening as Michigan Alianza Latina para Mejoramiento y Avance (MI ALMA) opened its annual Hispanic Heritage Month Reception with dinner, fellowship and a celebration of individuals whose work has made an impact in education, healthcare and the community.

MI ALMA Chair Noe Alvarado welcomed those attending, with Dr. Rubén Martinez serving as master of ceremonies before the evening moved into its awards presentations.

Lansing School District Superintendent Jessica Benavides, State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, Lansing Latino Health Alliance co-chair Linda Delgado Kipp, longtime community advocate Manuel Delgado Sr. and Everett High School educator Tia Bell were among those honored.

For Delgado, the recognition highlighted a connection to Lansing that stretches back more than seven decades.

Delgado arrived in Lansing in the 1950s and became an active part of the community, building a successful insurance agency while also serving in public office as a member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. His community involvement has continued throughout the decades since his arrival.

The evening carried an additional personal significance for the Delgado family, as his wife was also celebrating her birthday.

Following the awards, the program shifted its focus to education and the challenges and opportunities facing Lansing students.

Benavides delivered the evening’s keynote presentation, “Educational Challenges: A Vision for Lansing School District,” discussing approaches to creating opportunities for students throughout Lansing Public Schools while acknowledging challenges facing students and teachers in the classroom.

Her presentation provided those attending an opportunity to hear directly from the district’s superintendent about the work taking place in Lansing schools and the issues educators continue to confront as they work to help students succeed.

Dr. Martinez followed with a presentation titled “Multicultural Learning Environments and Student Achievement,” expanding the evening’s educational discussion to the role culture and diverse learning environments can play in the classroom.

The reception concluded with another social period, giving those attending an opportunity to visit with the honorees, educators and community members gathered for the annual celebration.

Food for the evening was provided by Pablo’s Mexican Restaurant on East Michigan Avenue in Lansing.

Held at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, the MI ALMA reception provided an evening to celebrate Hispanic heritage while recognizing people whose service continues to make a difference in Greater Lansing.