CHAP Cesar Chavez Event
PRESS RELEASE
EVENT: Cesar Chavez Celebration – A CHAP Event co-sponsored by the Dreamers Success Center
DATE and TIME: March 27, 2024, Wednesday, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
LOCATION: On the Quad at Porterville College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The public is invited to the Cesar Chavez Celebration on Wednesday, March 7, 2024, from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm on the Quad at Porterville College, where Mari Pérez-Dowling will be Keynote Speaker. This CHAP event is co-sponsored by the Dreamers Success Center. The Speaker, Mari Perez-Dowling, serves as the President and CEO of the United Way of Central Eastern California. Notably, she is also a recording artist in the mariachi genre. Collaborating with the world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán and musicians from Nuevo Tecalitlán, Mari has recorded her first album “Canciones Con Alma”, which launched December 2023, testament to her passion for cultural expression and musical artistry.
Born into a first-generation college family, Mari overcame early adversities to go on to earn a Master's degree in Multicultural Studies Bilingual Education, a Teaching Credential in Foreign Language/ELD and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish Language and Literature/Latin American Studies, from California State University, Bakersfield and San Diego State University. Additionally, she pursued an Environmental Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University, further broadening her expertise.
Mari Pérez-Dowling has been recognized with numerous awards and acknowledgments. These include the “Bakersfield Eagle Award” in 2015, “The Woman of The Year” Award in 2021 by Assembly member Rudy Salas, the "Our Voice, Our Hero" Award by Lotus Radio Bakersfield in 2022, the "Nonprofit of the Year" Award by Assembly member Rudy Salas in 2022 and the "Latina in Business and Leadership" award in 2023.
Former Porterville College graduate, Liceidi Martinez, who currently attends Fresno State University where she majors in Child and Family Science, will also speak. As she says, “I am an Undocumented Student and aspire to make a change in advocating for people in my community.” She graduated from PC in Fall 2022 with two Associates Degrees in Child Development and Early Childhood Development and currently is a Peer Mentor for our Undocumented and Foster Youth students at Porterville College.
Free lunch will be served at the event. This presentation is free and all are welcome.
Please contact Jim Entz, Coordinator of CHAP, at 791-2257 with any questions.
