Actor Edward James Olmos will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Sacramento Latino Book & Family Festival, a free, all-day event set for Saturday, Oct. 10, at Valley High School, 6300 Ehrhardt Avenue. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and is open to the public, with programming built around author panels, health services and family activities.
Olmos, an actor and producer, is scheduled to speak at 1 p.m. in the school’s main gym, according to KCRA. He co-founded Empowering Latino Futures, the nonprofit organization behind the festival, and has long advocated for literacy and Latino representation. The nonprofit was established in 1997 by Olmos and Kirk Whisler as a 501(c)(3) organization, according to Empowering Latino Futures, which says its programs have reached 1.7 million people and directly impacted an estimated 7,500 lives since then.
A Day Built Around Authors and College Access
The day opens with an Award-Winning Author Panel at 11 a.m. featuring Latino writers, including KCRA 3 anchor and children’s author Leticia Ordaz. A College Ready Panel follows at noon, offering information on college applications, financial aid, higher education and student success, per the same KCRA report. Organizers say a major focus of this year’s event is helping young people see themselves as future college students, professionals, leaders and authors.
Families will also get the chance to meet internationally recognized and award-winning Latino authors and buy signed books, the station’s report notes. The festival is designed to bring together families, authors, educators, colleges, community organizations and health providers under one roof.
Health, Early Learning and Community Villages
Beyond the author programming, the festival will feature themed villages spread across campus. The Health Village will offer free health services, information and resources, while the Children’s Village connects parents with early-learning programs, preschools and libraries. The Education Village links families with colleges, schools and other educational programs, and a Community Village will feature financial empowerment programs and local organizations…