Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council (CHAC)’s César E. Chávez Community Breakfast returns on March 22 with guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez

Event also served as launch of CHAC’s Covid-19 History Project

FLAGSTAFF — After a several-year delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) finally celebrated it’s sixth annual César E. Chávez Community Breakfast on Friday, March 22, 2024 at American Legion Post 3 in Flagstaff.

The event, which drew nearly 100 guests and local dignitaries, was highlighted by guest speaker Cesar L. Chavez, grandson of the civil rights and farm labor leader, and son of Anthony Chavez, Cesar’s youngest son.

Cesar, who was born and grew up in the farm worker movement, spoke about legacy of the late farm leader and shared personal memories including joining his grandfather to picket lines and demonstrations in the Central Valley plus cities such as Los Angeles and San Diego. They went on hikes together in the mountains surrounding UFW headquarters at La Paz.

The event also offered CHAC and the county the opportunity to launch a the Covid-19 History Project to recognize the challenges faced by the local Hispanic community.

“Wow! Covid! It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to gather here,” said District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez. “At that last breakfast, we honored our Purple Heart Veterans. Remember?, It was such a powerful time. It seems like another lifetime ago.

“During the years since, through the pandemic, many members of the Hispanic Community in Coconino County — those who were considered essential workers — continued to show up for work — in law enforcement, emergency response, medical work, grocery and pharmacy work and many other areas. Our people showed up for work. Long before there were any vaccines, or even masks to wear, they showed up for work. We lost some of them, as well as other members of our community,” Vasquez said.

“Covid took a heavy toll on Latino population nationwide,” he said. “According to Latinos and the Pandemic: Results from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project by Lissette Piedra et al., Latinos were three times as likely as the general population to get Covid-19, and twice as likely to die from it. Latinos are overrepresented among essential workers, which increased their viral exposure. Only 16 percent of Latinos reported being able to work from home.

“Nationwide, 61 percent of Latinos reported job or income loss during Covid-19 and 46 percent reported the inability to pay rent, mortgage, or utilities; ongoing food insecurity; and unmet medical needs.

“For these, and other reasons, CHAC is undertaking a project to document and preserve some of the history and experiences and contributions of the Hispanic Community during Covid-19,” he said.

CHAC hopes to hold a number of listening sessions throughout the county in the coming months and develop other ways for the community to share their stories, Vasquez said, wit those attending the breakfast having the opportunity to sign up to share their stories for the project.

“While our focus is on the Hispanic community, we welcome contributions from anyone in the county,” Vasquez said.

Those interested in sharing their email for updates on the project, can contact Areina Contreras at acontreras@coconino.az.gov.

CHAC Chair Patricia Garcia closed the event by thanking American Legion Mark A. Moore Post for hosing the event, county officials for helping CHAC members to set up and support the breakfast celebration.

Opening entertainment was provided by Banda Latino Caribeña de Flagstaff.