How much do you know about the history of Hispanic and Latino culture and community in Rockford?
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the Rockford Register Star has partnered with La Onda, a newly-formed nonprofit organization, to help share and celebrate the impact of Hispanic and Latino people, businesses and organizations in and around the Rockford area.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Visit rrstar.com or the Rockford Register Star newspaper each day to read about the people and places that make up Rockford’s Latino community.
The term “La Onda” translates to “the wave” or “the ripple” in Spanish, but for Rockford, it symbolizes much more than that. It aims to honor the past while paving the way for future generations. It represents a movement, a shift, and a force that has begun to take shape within the Rockford Latino community.
Over recent years, Latinos in Rockford have started to occupy spaces and roles that were not traditionally available to them. Their influence and contributions are increasingly recognized, not only within the Latino community but also by the broader Rockford area. This growing recognition and participation are what La Onda embodies: a movement.