INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 18, 2016) – Indy residents are invited to participate in a unique conversation model to discuss the changing demographics of our community and specifically how Latino Hoosiers are playing a vital role in the future of Indiana education, business, arts and culture, and our shared civic life. On Feb. 9, Indiana Humanities will host simultaneous dinner conversations from 6-7:30 p.m. across the city called “Chew on This: Latinos & The Next Indiana” at seven locally-owned restaurants featuring Latin American cuisine.
“Some of our best conversations happen around the dinner table when we can all come together over a shared meal, despite our differences,” said Keira Amstutz, president and CEO of Indiana Humanities. “This is a unique opportunity to eat, think and talk with friends, neighbors and strangers about our community and its future.”
Chew On This is a program designed by Indiana Humanities to use the power of food and drink as a convener of people and catalyst for conversation to inspire thoughtful discussion on engaging topics. At multiple locations across the city, groups of 10-15 diners share a meal and conversation led by a trained facilitator. A post-party will be held on Marian University’s campus at 3200 Cold Spring Road on the city’s west side.
The $20 ticket includes a meal, non-alcoholic drink, and tax and tip at one of the locations. Space is limited and registration is required at http://chewonthis2016.eventbrite.com.
Participating facilitators include:
• Terri Morris Downs, Executive Director of the Immigrant Welcome Center
• Christina Hale, Indiana General Assembly
• Rafael Sanchez, VP of Business Development and Legal Affairs at Fine Line Printing
• Maria Wildridge, Latino Services Coordinator for Marion County Prosecutor’s Office
• Raul Zavaleta, Partner at Cogent Professionals, LLC
Participating restaurants include:
• El Puerto de San Blas (4920 W. 38th Street)
• Inkas (5356 W. 38th Street)
• La Casa de los Mariscos (7940 N. Michigan Road, Suite 17)
• La Gloria (3564 Lafayette Road)
• Restaurante La Guanaquita (5453 W. 38th Street)
• Taqueria El Maguey (4629 W. 38th Street)
• Tropicalisimo (7862 Michigan Road)
Partners on this event include Marian University, a private Catholic university with a growing Latino student body, and the Immigrant Welcome Center.
“Marian University is pleased to play a role in facilitating this important conversation” said Mark Apple, vice president of marketing communications at Marian University. “More than half of Indiana’s immigrants are from Latin America, and in Indianapolis the number of immigrants is on pace to double in the next 10 years. Those changing demographics will have an impact on our student body, the neighborhoods surrounding our campus and the wider Indianapolis community.”
Chew On This: Latinos & the Next Indiana is part of Marian University’s series Latino Americans: 500 Years of History, made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
About Indiana Humanities
Indiana Humanities connects people, opens minds and enriches lives by creating and facilitating programs that encourage Hoosiers to think, read and talk. Learn more at IndianaHumanities.org.
About Marian University Indianapolis Marian University (www.marian.edu), founded in Indianapolis in 1937, is the only Catholic liberal arts university in central Indiana. It serves a student body of nearly 3,000 through dedication to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Marian University is one of Indiana’s 31 independent colleges and one of 244 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide.
Since 2001, Marian University has been led by President Daniel J. Elsener, whose vision and leadership are transforming the university. In 2013, Marian University opened the Michael A. Evans Center for Health Sciences, home to its College of Osteopathic Medicine. Marian University has amassed 32 national championships in cycling, and won the NAIA Football National Championship in 2012 and 2015.