Hispanic Heritage Month concludes Thursday with the virtual ceremony for the Latinx Amplifiers of 2020 — two of them coming from Lynn.
Adriana Paz and Brian Castellanos will be honored as Latinx Amplifiers. They are two of 30 who were selected to receive the honor, which recognizes their outstanding efforts in driving positive change in Massachusetts communities.
Selected by a diverse panel of judges, the Amplifiers are “risk takers, quiet disruptors and outspoken activists leading positive social change and amplifying our communities,” said Rosario Ubiera-Minaya, CEO of Amplify Latinx, which awarded the honors.
“Our committee highlights the work that is happening in our communities at different levels,” Ubiera-Minaya said. “They are taking leadership in different roles. There is great work being done in communities.”
Castellanos, a member of the Lynn School Committee as well as a social worker with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, said news of receiving the award came out of the blue for him.
“Ever since this pandemic began, my sole job is to protect children,” Castellanos said. “To make sure they are safe during this pandemic.
“I wasn’t expecting this. But I’m very honored and pleased. It’s nice to be recognized this way.”
Castellanos also said he felt a “special connection” with the Latino community.
Paz said it was an honor to be recognized, but deflected the honor from herself and onto the community.
“This speaks to what we have done as a community,” she said.
Paz founded “Mutual Aid, Lynn,” a service group that tries to fill in where needed — something that has been amplified during the pandemic. The group helps with food dropoffs, diaper drives and other service-oriented functions.
But, Paz said, the group also tries to fulfill another need.
“We act as a response team,” she said. “It’s sort of a re-imagining of how police work In Lynn. We try to provide people who may be in need to help with the right people. We respond to calls and work with people and police.”
Paz stresses that her group does not use the term “defund police,” but rather “reimagining police.”
“We hope to be able to link people who need services with people who are experts, and we hope that by doing this, we allow the police to concentrate on preventing crime and solving crimes.”
Paz, said Ubiera-Minaya, “has been very passionate about advocating for political and professional platforms. She has been able to help create opportunities for Latinx and minority businesses, and has been involved in multiple organizations in the Lynn area, such as the North Shore Women of Color and Mutual Aid. Also, she’s taken it upon herself to provide a voice for the residents of communities who wouldn’t have one otherwise.”
More than 100 nominations were received by the committee, which is in its third year of presenting the awards. The ceremony, which will be held through Zoom, will have culturally-inspired segments, as well as food and entertainment, including cooking demonstrations.
National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. It celebrates heritage rooted in all Latin American countries.
During this month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and others share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present.
