Unity Table brings 23 cities together for Hispanic Heritage Month

More than 230 people from 23 cities gathered at The Highlawn in West Orange, N.J., for Unity Table’s Todos a la Mesa celebration on Sept. 24. The event honored Hispanic Heritage Month, recognized community leaders and highlighted efforts to build stronger cross-community relationships.

Why it matters: - Hispanic Heritage Month events can do more than celebrate culture. They can also create space for civic leaders, business owners and neighbors to build relationships. - Unity Table framed the gathering as a way to bring more voices into community conversations and public service. - The event showed broad regional participation, with guests traveling from 23 cities across seven New Jersey counties and New York City.

What happened: - More than 230 guests attended Todos a la Mesa at The Highlawn in West Orange, N.J., on Thursday, Sept. 24. - The event marked Unity Table’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. - Guests included elected officials, business owners, nonprofit leaders, artists and neighbors. - Orange Mayor Dwayne D. Warren, Esq. opened the introductions and recognized leaders in the room.

The details: - Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. - The month honors the history, culture and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. - Unity Table founder J. Wayman Henry III urged guests to focus on shared pride in culture, love for community and a desire to serve. - Henry said, “We want to make sure that we’re all here to serve and that we give back.” - Rita Duran, Unity Table’s executive director, said differences can strengthen communities when people gather across backgrounds. - Duran said, “When we come together from every background, we stop being strangers and start becoming neighbors, partners, and advocates for one another.” - Duran also said Todos a la Mesa is about building a community where everyone has a seat, everyone has a voice and no one has to stand alone. - Leaders recognized in the room included Senate Majority Leader M. Teresa Ruiz; Assemblywomen Alixon Collazos-Gill, Carmen Theresa Morales and Eliana Pintor Marin; Essex County Board of Commissioners President Carlos M. Pomares; Essex County Sheriff Amir D. Jones; and Dr. Saudi Garcia, an anthropologist and strategy leader. - Assemblywoman Alixon Collazos-Gill received Unity Table’s Community Leadership Award for Dedicated Community Leadership. - Sen. M. Teresa Ruiz received the Legacy Award for Trailblazing Public Service. - Ruiz said, “If we’re not all at the table, we become part of the menu.” - Ruiz urged guests to support people who may be the only person in a room representing their community. - DJ Skelly played music after the program as guests connected over refreshments. - Oren Schneider won The King of Pop, a framed Ghanaian silk-thread artwork, in the silent auction. - New Jersey Arts World of Union, N.J., donated the artwork. - The event thanked leading sponsor CareWell Health Medical Center and host venue The Highlawn. - Other supporters included On Collab, New Jersey Consulting Solutions, Brivado Cigars, Little Box of Love, Fulmore Foundation, Double Cross Vodka, New Jersey Arts World, Sheriff Amir D. Jones and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, DJ Skelly, photographer Jimmy Records and videographer T. Hudson. - Unity Table is a nonpartisan program of Little Box of Love, an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. - More information is available at Unity Table.

Between the lines: - The event combined cultural recognition with leadership visibility, signaling an effort to connect Hispanic Heritage Month with civic engagement. - The awards and speaker lineup suggest Unity Table is using public recognition to reinforce community participation and broader representation. - The turnout from multiple counties and New York City points to a regional network, not just a single-city audience.

What’s next: - Unity Table said the event was part of its mission in action and encouraged continued conversation after the celebration. - The organization’s broader work will likely continue around convening people across backgrounds and elevating community leadership. - Guests left with new connections and an invitation to keep building relationships beyond the event.

The bottom line: - Todos a la Mesa used Hispanic Heritage Month to do more than celebrate. It put Unity Table’s message of shared leadership and belonging in front of a packed room with regional reach.