Pan American Bank Hosts Latino Literacy Fundraiser

EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Pan American Bank (Los Angeles) today announced that it will host a fundraiser to benefit Latino Literacy Now (http://www.lbff.us/), a nonprofit organization supported and chaired by actor and community activist Edward James Olmos. Latino Literacy Now promotes reading as a means of improving the personal and professional lives of Latinos. Latino Literacy Now produces the Latino Book & Family Festival, a weekend event that promotes literacy, culture and education in a fun environment for the whole family. The festival is held in key Latino markets across the country.

“Back in 1997, Mr. Edward James Olmos made an initial five-year commitment to Latino Literacy Now to help build its Latino Book & Family Festival. Nearly 15 years later Mr. Olmos continues to not only support the organization but also serves as its Chairman”

“Back in 1997, Mr. Edward James Olmos made an initial five-year commitment to Latino Literacy Now to help build its Latino Book & Family Festival. Nearly 15 years later Mr. Olmos continues to not only support the organization but also serves as its Chairman,” said Pan American Bank CEO Jesse Torres. “Mr. Olmos’ longstanding commitment is evidence of the great work of Latino Literacy Now. From encouraging reading in Latino households to promoting Latino authors in the educational and bookselling arenas, Latino Literacy Now plays a very important role in transforming our Latino communities. This mission is consistent with Pan American Bank’s own mission of empowering and transforming Latino communities.”

The evening will feature a dance performance by Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company, readings by Latino Book & Family Festival 2010 Latino authors, an art gallery hosted by the Fremont Gallery, a silent auction, door prizes, tequila tasting and networking opportunity.

Latino authors in attendance will include Rolando Ortiz (Poet), Montserrat Fontes (Fiction), Melinda Palacio (Poet/Fiction), Thelma Reyna (Fiction), Amada Irma Perez (Children’s Books), Victor Cass (Fiction), David Bueno-Hill (Fiction/Poet), René Colato Laínez (Children’s Books), and Reyna Grande (Fiction). Artists featured in the Fremont Gallery exhibition will include Sergio Sanchez, Kikki Eder, Damian Chavez, and Ariel Vargazal.

WHAT:	Latino Literacy Now Fundraiser
WHEN:	Saturday, August 7, 2010. 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
	$20 per person / $30 per couple
WHERE:	Pan American Bank Corporate Headquarters
	3626 East First Street
	Los Angeles, CA 90063
WHO:	Pan American Bank
	Latino Literacy Now

The Latino Book & Family Festival was launched in 1997 in Los Angeles to promote literacy, culture and education and to provide people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to celebrate the diversity of the multicultural communities in the United States in a festival atmosphere. Today, the Latino Book & Family Festival is hosted in several major Latino markets across the U.S. including Houston, Dallas, Chicago and Los Angeles. Future expansion plans will take the Festival to New York City, Miami, the San Francisco Bay Area and many other major Latino markets. Edward James Olmos, actor and community activist, is the co-producer of Latino Book & Family Festival.

Established in 1964, Pan American Bank (www.PanAmericanBank.us) is California’s oldest Latino-owned bank. Headquartered in East Los Angeles, Pan American Bank serves the needs of the Latino communities in Los Angeles and Santa Ana. Founded by former U.S. Treasurer Romana Acosta Banuelos, the Bank has stayed true to its mission of transforming and empowering Latino communities through banking relationships built on trust, service, respect, communication, and guidance. Pan American Bank's Facebook page can be found at http://bit.ly/pab-facebook. The Bank’s blog is found at http://PanAmericanBank.blogspot.com. Pan American Bank can be followed on Twitter as @PanAmericanBank.