Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) is the leading nonprofit dedicated to preserving Latinx places, stories, and cultural heritage across the United States. Through education, conservation, and leadership programs, LHC empowers a wide-ranging network of people who care about Latinx heritage—bringing together community members, advocates, scholars, and experts to find creative, local solutions for protecting Latinx sites and uplifting living cultures that contribute to American society. LHC is committed to making a meaningful impact in the broader fight for social justice, engaging diverse communities and allies to celebrate and affirm the importance of our collective heritage. For more information, visit latinoheritage.us.


Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) es la principal organización sin fines de lucro dedicada a preservar lugares, historias y patrimonio cultural latino en todo Estados Unidos. A través de programas de educación, conservación y liderazgo, LHC capacita a una amplia red de personas que se preocupan por el patrimonio latino, reuniendo a miembros de la comunidad, defensores, académicos y expertos para encontrar soluciones creativas y locales para proteger los sitios latinos y elevar las culturas vivas que contribuyen a la sociedad estadounidense. LHC se compromete a tener un impacto significativo en la lucha por la justicia social, involucrando a diversas comunidades y aliados para celebrar y afirmar la importancia de nuestro patrimonio colectivo. Para más información, visite latinoheritage.us.

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Apply to Congreso 2026: Call for Proposals


 


August 19–22, 2026 | Chicago, IL

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Since 2014, Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) has brought together Latinx preservationists, architects, historians, artists, educators, and community leaders committed to protecting places, stories, and cultural memory. Held every two years, this national summit grows with the movement and reflects the evolving needs of our communities.

In 2026, we will hold our sixth Congreso: Latinx Heritage Leadership Summit in Chicago. Rooted in the history and culture of the city, the summit invites participation from across the Midwest and the country, recognizing the shared struggles, victories, and cultural landscapes that connect our region to the Americas.

Chicago holds layered histories. Afro Latinx, Indigenous, migrant, and working-class communities have shaped the city through resistance, labor, imagination, and cultural power. This is the place to build what comes next.

LHC now invites session proposals from Latinx leaders, culture and place keepers, storytellers, advocates, practitioners, artists, scholars, and preservationists – those doing the work in their communities. Topics should reflect the 2026 theme – “Estamos Aquí” (“We Are Here”) – and resonate with Latinx communities in the Midwest and beyond. We encourage multigenerational sessions and interactive formats. Proposals should also demonstrate how Congreso attendees will leave with knowledge, tools, and connections to lead preservation efforts in their own communities.

2026 theme – “Estamos Aquí” (“We Are Here”)

“Estamos Aquí” is a declaration of presence, pride, and perseverance, an affirmation that Latinx history is American history, and we will not be erased.

In the face of policies that attempt to silence our stories and rewrite our contributions, we rise with resilience, honoring our ancestors and empowering our youth to carry our legacy forward. From the barrios to the boardrooms, we continue to shape this nation with our voices, our labor, and our leadership; porque estamos aquí, y aquí seguimos.

Deadline to submit: Sunday, January 18, 2026
 

FORMAT GUIDELINES

To help us organize a dynamic and meaningful program, all proposal submissions must align with one of the following thematic tracks. Each track reflects a unique approach to preserving Latinx historic places and supporting the communities connected to them. Please review the descriptions below and select the track that best fits your session’s goals, format, and audience.

  • Workshops for Action: Interactive sessions designed to equip participants with practical tools for preserving Latinx historic places. Topics may include historic designation, grant writing, oral history collection, community advocacy and engagement, zoning and planning processes, and collaboration with local commissions.
  • Leadership Tracks: Sessions focused on professional development and capacity building for heritage leaders, including youth, grantees, emerging professionals, and community stewards. Formats may include case studies, skills training, or introductions to key topics in historic preservation and heritage leadership.
  • Wellness and Restoration: Sessions providing grounding exercises, healing spaces, and trauma-informed practices for those engaged in preservation work. Formats are flexible and interactive, including 20–30 minute breakout sessions or attendee engagement activities such as traditional crafts or arts practices. Wellness and Restoration presenters are eligible for a stipend of up to $250 to help cover supplies. If you do not require the stipend, you may also choose to waive it back to LHC to support our programs.
  • Collaborative Storytelling: Presentations exploring Latinx place-making, place-keeping, storytelling, memory work, and decolonial practices. Full panels are preferred (up to three speakers, 15 minutes each), while individual papers or talks will be grouped into panels.


EVALUATION CRITERIA

  • Relevance to the 2026 summit theme (Estamos Aquí) and current topics in Latinx historic preservation
  • Relationship to the Greater Chicago area and Midwest region (submissions welcome from all regions of the U.S. and Puerto Rico)
  • Connection to migration and/or borderlands themes
  • Speaker line-up, with priority for multigenerational speakers and/or speakers at different career stages
  • Participatory elements of the session proposal
     

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • This is not a paid opportunity. Presenters cover their own travel and lodging.
  • Registration fees will be waived for the day of your session only. If you wish to attend the full Congreso, you may purchase a full conference ticket at the early bird rate.
  • A stipend of up to $250 is available only for presenters in the Wellness and Restoration track. Presenters may also choose to waive their stipend in support of LHC programs.
  • This call is for session proposals only, not for scholarships.
Latinos in Heritage Conservation