Inglewood Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

By Kenneth Miller | Publisher

District 61 Assemblymember Tina McKinnor joined Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Jr., the Inglewood City Council, County Administrator Dr. James Morris and local school board members in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month during a day long festival downtown on Market Street on Sept. 19.

“I want to tell you guys, from the state we have all kinds of bills. We have several bills to make sure we are protecting our immigrants, and making sure we are protecting our Latino community. We will not allow (President) Donald Trump to come to into our state and do what he wants. We will stand up, we will fight and we will make sure that you have the rights you need to walk freely. When Black and Brown people have solidarity as brothers and sisters, they can’s stop us,” McKinnor explained to the crowd.

CELEBRATING OUR KIDS–City of Inglewood officials collaborate on stage to honor the Hispanic Heritage Art Contest winners from eh Inglewood Uniformed School District at the Hispanic heritage Festival on Sept. 19 downtown on Market Street. (KENNETH MILLER/PHOTO)

Mayor Butts, who has led Inglewood for 15 years touted the city’s diversity, particularly among the city council and the many achievements which have transpired a community from high unemployment and poverty into the sports and entertainment capital of the world.

“We got the most celebrated city anywhere in the world, we just had eight FIFA World Cup matches, we had 800,000 people come here in Inglewood. We only had three people arrested during that time, we had NBA All Star Game, we’re gonna have Super Bowl 61 in February. We are so fortunate to have each other, when they give the weather on 2,4,7, and 9 they always give the temperature in Inglewood because everybody wants to always know what’s going on in Inglewood,” Butts touted.  

Undoubtedly the most passionate of the speakers during the event was District 3 Councilmember Eloy Morales, the longest tenured elected official in Inglewood.

“So, today, the beauty of it is. I gotta tell you, you know, we went through some rough times this year as Latinos, battling all these things, being mad about the news,” Morales began.  

“All of our immigrant heroes, because that’s what they are, our parents who came with nothing. They came with nothing, knowing that they were gonna what? Work the lowest jobs to get ahead. And here I stand. Here I stand. You know and through the whole year, our friends right here stood with us,” the senior councilmember stated to a rousing round of applause.”

Morales went on the tell their unique story of struggle, enduring and unifying through it all.

“They reached out for leadership, so today we celebrate, because we have doctors, we have lawyers, we have elected officials, we have astronauts, we may not have everything in the Latino community, but one thing we have is our heroes at home, who came and overcame the struggle. It was a deep struggle, and we got pushed around this year and did not give up.

McKinnor, who resides in District 3 applauded Morales for being a reliable dependable public servant who always answers the phone.

STANDING IN SOLIDARITY- District 61 Assemblymember Tina McKinnon delivered a powerful message of unity at the Hispanic Heritage Festival downtown Inglewood on Market Street on Sept. 19. (KENNTH MILLER/PHOTO)

Morales is one of two Latino City Councilmembers, joining District 2 Councilmember Alex Padilla.

“We have some marvelous, fantastic leaders here in Inglewood that makes sure our community is together,” added McKinnor.

Mayor Butts also introduced the winners of the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Art Contest, awarding Inglewood Unified School District from middle school through high school who all received checks ranging form $350-$650. The Los Angeles Rams were credited with being one of the major sponsors of the event.

Among the other elected officials in attendance were District 1 Councilmember Gloria Gray, District 4 Councilmember Dionne Faulk, City Clerk Aisha Thompson, City Treasurer Angela Allen and Inglewood School Board Vice President, Trustee Area 3 Brandon G. Myers.