| Celebrities Support “Latinos READ” Literary Project |
| Farmers Branch, Dallas, TX • The second annual “Latinos READ” celebrates Latino literature and supports literacy with two celebrity readings at Brookhaven College Oct. 28. Dennis E. Leoni, writer, director and executive producer of “Resurrection Blvd.,” and Liza Echeverria, model and star of “Luz Clarita,” will share writings from their favorite Latino authors with the audience at the Ellison Miles Geotechnology Institute beginning at noon. The “Latinos READ” event at Brookhaven College is free and open to the public. |
| Leoni is the head of Patagonia House, the production
company that developed the critically acclaimed “Resurrection Blvd.”
for Showtime Networks. “Resurrection Blvd.” was the first drama series
in the history of American television to star as well as be written, produced
and directed by Latinos. Leoni has written, produced and directed programming
for many major networks and studios, including the series “The Commish”
and “Raven,” and began his career acting in series like “Hawaii
50.” Last year, Leoni received the prestigious Norman Lear Writers’ Award
from the Imagen Foundation. |
| A professional model at age 15, Liza Echeverria hosted the popular children’s television show “TVO.” In 1986, Echeverria starred in the highly acclaimed Mexican tellenovella, “Luz Clarita.” In recent years, Echeverria has been performing on stage and she currently is working on an upcoming soap opera called “Mission SOS.” |
| “Latinos READ” is a citywide literary project created by Mi Escuelita and the WB33 Kids Fund as a way to promote reading. Mi Escuelita is an early childhood program dedicated to teaching English to at-risk children of all cultures and developing their language and literacy skills in preparation for a successful school experience. The WB33 Kids Fund, a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, was created to stimulate Dallas/Fort Worth community giving through local fund-raising activities. |
| Dr. Jesus "Jess" Carreon, Ph.D., chancellor
of the Dallas County Community College District is this year's honorary chair
for the event. Celebrities will visit college campuses throughout the day on
Oct. 28 for readings. The day will end at the Latino Cultural Center with a
red carpet fund-raising event featuring Latin cuisine, the Booker T. Washington
High School Latin ensemble and celebrity readings. Tickets for the dinner support
Mi Escuelita and the WB33 Kids Fund. |
| For additional information about Latinos READ at Brookhaven College, contact the Public Information Office, by calling 972-860-4700. Additional information about Latinos READ also is available at www.miescuelita.org. |
