Austin ISD begins its celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with a kickoff event featuring addresses by AISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz and Rosalba Ojeda, consul general of Mexico in Austin.

The event also will highlight cuisines from several Latin American countries, including Argentina, Peru, Mexico and Colombia. Blackshear Fine Arts Academy hosts the event, beginning at 9 a.m. Oct. 3 in the gym on the Blackshear campus, 1712 E. 11th St.

The district also hosts weekly brown bag sessions that include a documentary and a discussion from noon–1 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning Sept. 16.

According to the Library of Congress, the national celebration of Hispanic heritage began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded that in 1988 to cover the month from Sept. 15–Oct. 15.