On a cool, sunny day in October, members of the South Carolina ML Educator Network (SC MLE Network) met up with Dr. Araceli Hernández-Laroche, professor of Modern Languages at USC Upstate, in front of the locally-owned Mezcal restaurant in downtown Spartanburg. It was the first official in-person meeting of the SC MLE Network. In attendance were Paul and Katie Crook, Caryn Caruso, Anna Newcomer, and Alison Yount, in addition to Dr. Hernández-Laroche. Each attendee is involved in multilingual education in the Upstate of South Carolina, and each one shared about challenges and opportunities for ML students in the area. 

In a nation where less than 2% of full professors are Latina, Dr. Araceli Hernández-Laroche holds the distinct honor of being named the first Hispanic full professor at USC Upstate. She is the founding director of South Carolina Centro Latino, or El Centro, which is a university center that studies, celebrates, and advances Hispanic and Latino culture in South Carolina. Through her work with El Centro, Dr. Hernández-Laroche oversees dozens of initiatives such as mentoring, developing translation and interpretation training programs and certificates, hosting conferences, and holding forums for her students and colleagues. The SC MLE Network is honored and excited to connect with Dr. Hernández-Laroche in her important work. The stories, struggles, and dreams she shared inspired all who attended this event!

After lunch at Mezcal, the group walked over to the Chapman Cultural Center to visit an art installment by artist and activist Yehimi Cambrón entitled, "Now We Thrive" at the USC Upstate Art Gallery. CEO and Executive Director of the Cultural Center, Dan Mayer, gave the group a brief tour of the premises before Dr. Hernández-Laroche shared specific information about the artist and her exhibit. Through her artistic displays, Cambrón captures the emotions, experiences, and collective power of the undocumented existence. Particularly inspired by the unjust treatment of undocumented inmates at the Stewart Detention Center in Georgia, this exhibit honors their full humanity and resistance. What an incredible day of learning, growth, and collaboration! Stay tuned for more in-person meet-ups around the state.