Press release from Targeted Persuasion:
Asheville City Council and Mayor Esther Manheimer recognized the contributions Hispanic people have made to the city, the state, and the country at the city council meeting on Tuesday evening with a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation. September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.
The proclamation acknowledged that Hispanic people are an important part of Asheville’s communities and have made many contributions as entrepreneurs, neighbors, friends, and workers.
Cecilia Marchesini, owner of Cecilia’s Kitchen and a native of Argentina, says she is happy to see the city take steps to recognize the Hispanic community.
“Particularly in the restaurant industry, there are a lot of Hispanics who are working hard to feed this city, promote the local economy, and contribute unique flavors to our food and culture in Asheville,” says Marchesini.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, 6.5 percent of Asheville’s population was Hispanic as of the 2010 census. This is nearly double the percentage of Ashevillians identifying as Hispanic during the 2000 census. Approximately 9 percent of North Carolinians are of Hispanic descent.
The Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation was read at the beginning of the city council meeting by Mayor Esther Manheimer and was accepted by Luis Carlos Serapio, a native of Mexico and founder of Descubre Asheville, a website that focuses on advertising Asheville to the Spanish-speaking market.
Serapio thanked the city for recognizing the Hispanic community. “Thank you,” said Serapio. “I feel like the fact that they’re doing this at this moment is a really good stepping stone. I believe that there will be more things to come.”
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