City Partners with Centro C.H.A. to Establish Latino Cultural Center at Jenny Oropeza Community Center

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PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - During its May 12, 2026, meeting, the Long Beach City Council voted 8 to 0 to partner with Centro C.H.A. to establish the Latino Cultural Center within the City's Jenny Oropeza Community Center at 401 Golden Ave. The new Center will expand cultural programming, community engagement and educational opportunities in a space designed to serve residents citywide. The City anticipates the Center will begin programming in the coming weeks.

"We're proud to open the doors to our City's very first Latino Cultural Center, which will offer new programing that reflects the cultural richness and diversity that makes our city so special," said Mayor Rex Richardson. "This facility will now provide even more opportunities for arts, cultural celebration, community events and enriching civic engagement."

The Latino Cultural Center will operate under a three-year agreement with options to renew. The cultural center will open alongside, rather than replace, the existing City programming and staff at the Jenny Oropeza Community Center. City programs and services at the site will continue uninterrupted. In partnership with Centro C.H.A., a trusted Long Beach-based nonprofit, the City identified the Jenny Oropeza Community Center in Downtown Long Beach as the ideal location for the Latino Cultural Center because of the area's longstanding role in supporting community-led programs and activities. The 11,000-square-foot facility also features an outdoor area with an amphitheater that will support year-round events.

Planned activities at the Latino Cultural Center include arts and cultural workshops, heritage celebrations, youth programs, family events and opportunities for civic participation, all of which will be open to the public. Several events are already in development for the center, including Fiesta Patrias, Hispanic Heritage Month activities, Día de los Muertos, car shows, performing arts events, food festivals and movies in the amphitheater.

"We are proud to support the creation of a space that celebrates and uplifts the rich cultural heritage, history and contributions of Long Beach's Latino community," said First District Councilwoman Mary Zendejas. "The Latino Cultural Center will serve as a welcoming place for learning, creativity and connection, while honoring the generations of families and community leaders who have helped shape our city. I'm excited to see this center become a resource where residents of all ages can come together, share experiences and build community."

The partnership with Centro C.H.A. offers a cost-effective, community-focused approach built on years of collaboration and input from local stakeholders. Under this model, the nonprofit will manage administrative needs, coordinate cultural programming and work with local partners to support the center. This effort advances the City's commitment to inclusive community development, cultural enrichment and equitable access to resources, while strengthening partnerships with nonprofit organizations and community leaders.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to help launch this new cultural center," said Jessica Quintana, Executive Director of Centro C.H.A. "As someone who grew up in West Long Beach and has spent decades working alongside local families and community partners, I know how meaningful it is to have a local space dedicated to learning, creativity and connection. This center will be a place where people of all ages can come together, share their stories and build on the strong community spirit that defines Long Beach."

Planning for the Latino Cultural Center began in 2019, when the City Council set aside funding in the Fiscal Year 2020 Adopted Budget to support outreach for the project. The City partnered with Centro C.H.A. to carry out a multi-phased process that included a 50-member steering committee, visioning workshops, focus groups and other engagement efforts, resulting in a business plan that received strong support from community stakeholders and the City Council in 2021.

Ongoing operations will be supported by Measure B funds already allocated to the center through a separate agreement. Additionally, the City has identified $4.5 million for capital improvements at the adjacent park and the Latino Cultural Center, including signage, structural upgrades, and restroom improvements, with more funding opportunities being identified.

About the City of Long Beach

Long Beach is nestled along the Southern California coast and home to approximately 466,000 people. As an award-winning full-service charter city, Long Beach offers the amenities of a metropolitan city while maintaining a strong sense of individual and diverse neighborhoods, culture, and community. With a bustling downtown and over six miles of scenic beaches, Long Beach is a renowned tourist and business destination and home to the iconic Queen Mary, nationally recognized Aquarium of the Pacific and Long Beach Airport, the award-winning Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and world-class Port of Long Beach.

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