Our Mission

The mission of the Mississippi Hispanic Association is to encourage, support and promote cultural, educational and community service activities in order to facilitate the integration of Hispanics into the state’s mainstream. Additionally, MHA also aims to awaken concern and interest for the history, traditions and current issues regarding the Hispanic community in Mississippi.

Our History

Early in 1993, Esperanza Velásquez and Elsa Baughman began discussions concerning the formation of a club or organization for the purpose of uniting all Hispanics residing in Mississippi.  The first meeting, named the “Encuentro,” took place at Fernando’s Restaurant on May 23, 1993 and approximately 60 people attended and responded to a questionnaire whose results indicated a unanimous consensus that the creation of such an organization was a necessity.  It was not until October of 1995 that serious discussions pertaining to the structure of such an association began—particularly the formation of a Board of Directors as well as the objective detailed below.  On January 2, 1996, Esperanza Velásquez met with lawyer Merida Coxwell in order to finalize the by-laws by which the Mississippi Hispanic Association (MHA) was to abide by.

On January 31, 1996, Mr. Coxwell’s secretary read the minutes of incorporation to the MHA Board of Directors–all of whom agreed to contribute a sum of $30 each to cover the incorporation fee.  Mr. Coxwell presented the petition before the Secretary of State’s office in order to ensure that the Association be incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of Mississippi.  The petition was registered under Section 79-11-137, Code 1972.  On February 3, 1996, the Association solicited a request for tax exemption, and five months later, the request was granted https://cheapnolvadexpct.com temporary status under Section 509(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Service.  This temporary status lasted from January 3, 1996 to December 31, 2000. The association has had permanent status as a non-profit organization since April 4, 2001.

 

MHA’s Founding Board of Directors:

  • President:  Esperanza Velásquez
  • Vice-president:  Dr. Evelin Cuadra
  • Executive Secretary:  Elsa Baughman
  • Treasurer:  Otilia Sebuktekin
  • Vocal:   James Martin

 

MHA’s Objectives:

  • To obtain the administrative rights of the “Festival Latino” and to continue its annual organization in order to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed nationally from September 15 to October 15. The first “Festival Latino” (9/17/1995) was organized in a conjunctive effort between the Catholic Diocese of Jackson and the Methodist Church of Mississippi, along with representatives from 17 Latin American countries.
  • To create the “Gaceta Hispana”, an informative publication in Spanish for the Hispanic community of Mississippi.
  • To educate the general public about the presence of the Hispanic community in Mississippi.
  • To promote, sponsor, and offer activities and social service programs for the Hispanic community.
  • To offer and/or sponsor social activities which help Hispanics integrate into American society.
  • To promote education for Hispanics by defending and interceding on their behalf before the state and federal government.
  • To create future programs and activities of a social, educational, and cultural nature which require the guidance and supervision of a non-profit organization.

Board of Directors

The purpose of the Board of Directors is to guide and uphold the mission of the Mississippi Hispanic Association (MHA) and to strengthen the capacity of the individuals and volunteers to serve the Hispanic www.buyamoxil-amoxicillin.com community through the MHA. Board members server a three (3) year rotating term and meet five (5) times per year. The annual meeting is held on the last Saturday in May.

Esperanza Velásquez

As co-founder of the Mississippi Hispanic Association (MHA), Mrs. Velásquez served as the first MHA president and a Board Member for five years (1995-2000). Mrs. Velásquez currently serves as Chair of the Board and as fund-raiser for the “Run to the Latin Beat”… Read more

Elsa Baughman

Elsa Baughman, a co-founder of the Mississippi Hispanic Association, is currently the secretary of MHA. She was born in Venezuela and has been living in the United States since 1976. She received a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Southern… Read more

Victoria Scantlebury

Victoria has been a member of the Mississippi Hispanic Association since its beginning and has served in various positions including President, Children Activities Coordinator for the Festival Latino, and dancer and choreographer of the Association’s folkloric group. She was born in the Republic of… Read more

Officers

Karla Velez

Karla is currently the Vice-president of MHA and has been a member of the Association since 2010. She was born in Manta, Ecuador and moved to the United States in 2000. She serves as an Associate HR Service Partner at the Office of… Read more

Lizbeth Jimena Velásquez

Jimena is currently the director of the MHA Family Reading Program and assistant director of the Paco Rosales Scholarship. Jimena was born in Colombia and has been living in Mississippi since the age of five. She attended Byram Attendance Center for all 12… Read more

Elsa Baughman

Elsa Baughman, a co-founder of the Mississippi Hispanic Association, is currently the secretary of MHA. She was born in Venezuela and has been living in the United States since 1976. She received a master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Southern… Read more

Angela McRae

Angela has been a member of the MHA since its inception and has been fundamental in the branding of MHA. In previous years, Angela has been responsible for MHA’s Public Relations and has worked as the Arts & Crafts Director for various events… Read more

Administration

Jeffrey McRae

Jeffrey is responsible for administration of the MHA website. He is a 1996 graduate of Mississippi State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He has been working for Michael Baker International for almost 20 years and is currently the Senior Bridge Engineer… Read more

Angela McRae

Angela has been a member of the MHA since its inception and has been fundamental in the branding of MHA. In previous years, Angela has been responsible for MHA’s Public Relations and has worked as the Arts & Crafts Director for various events… Read more