Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee Announces Plans for Seventh Annual Gala

MILWAUKEE – (Oct. 9, 2020) – Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee (HPGM), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing educational, career, and leadership opportunities for Hispanics in Wisconsin, announces its seventh annual Gala will be held on October 30th, 2020 at 5:30 p.m. Originally planned for May, the event will now take place virtually and feature a Día de los Muertos theme. Guests are encouraged to wear festive cocktail or Día De Los Muertos themed attire while participating from home. Registration for the event is now open. All students attend for free.

Funds raised at the virtual Gala support emergency funding for DACA and undocumented students; the HPGM scholarship fund to provide financial support for tuition plus additional resources to cover books and technology; and new expanded programs for students. Proceeds will also benefit HPGM programming such as career exploration, leadership training, financial literacy workshops, and mentoring opportunities for all members.

“The HPGM Gala is an opportunity to celebrate our Hispanic heritage, showcase our programs, give thanks for the generosity of our partners and encourage continued giving,” said Kim Schultz, Executive Director of HPGM. “While 2020 has proven to be a challenging year, the Gala offers us a chance to connect at a time when we need it most. We hope our members embrace the Día de los Muertos theme virtually and enjoy the celebration.”

The master of ceremonies for this year’s Gala is Denise Thomas. Denise Thomas is the President and Owner of The Effective Communication Coach, LLC. The 2020 event co-chairs are Giacomo Fallucca of Palermo’s Villa, Inc.; Patti Keating-Kahn of PK2Group, Colby Abbot and Railway Exchange Buildings; and Marc and Marta Bianchini of Bianchini Experience.

A silent auction will open for early bidding on Monday, October 26th. Featured items include Palermo’s Pizza for a year, a Chef’s Dinner experience for 6 people at Antigua Latin inspired Kitchen and a suite for eight people at the Fiserv Forum for one Bucks 2021 season game. The silent auction will also feature art by HPGM student members, plus 3 art pieces donated by Mexican artist, Juan Flores. The event will kick-off with a Día de los Muertos ceremony and conclude with Latin dance music.

About HPGM

The mission of HPGM is to connect and unite Hispanic professionals, students, and the community with rich heritage, strong leadership, and impactful initiatives. HPGM serves more than 2,500 students and professionals annually by providing access to jobs and internships, scholarships, leadership development, and mentoring opportunities. HPGM works with 37 corporations,12 institutions of higher education, and more than 50 community partners to break down barriers and empower diverse leaders.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.