Josué Vicente

Josué Vicente

The Ohio Hispanic Coalition (OHCO) is situated on the Northside of Columbus, near Crosswoods. The OHCO was founded by three Latinas in 1990 to promote access to health services in Columbus. Now, the organization’s programming extends beyond simply issue of health to “improve the well-being and quality of life for all Hispanics/Latinos through advocacy, education, training, and access to quality services.” The OHCO’s executive director, Josué Vicente explains how the Coalition functions in the unique Midwest environment and elaborates on his own experience moving to the United States.

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Kevin Bilapka Arbelaez

Kevin Bilapka Arbelaez

The conversation with Kevin Bilapka Arbelaez in the noisy Cup O’ Joe Clintonville lasted longer than the usual 30-minutes. There was just too much to talk about: his work at St. Vincent Family Center, musical solo projects, and writing with the band didi. We also mulled over issues of alienation in the community and the complexity of identifying as half one thing and half something else… something we both think a lot about.

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Ricardo Granados

Ricardo Granados
Ricardo Granados

The bison of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park just entered their winter pasture by the time I visited. These creatures are a big draw for many of the park’s visitors, who trek twenty minutes or so out of Columbus proper to Galloway, Ohio. Yet, as Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks Naturalist, Ricardo Granados explains, there’s more to this 7,103 acre park than roaming furred mammals. Battelle Darby Creek boasts a variety of educational programming, trails, and picnic sites – and Granados wants Latinos from throughout Central Ohio to visit and take ownership of the park that belongs to them.

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