Peso Pluma Speaks at First CUNY-Wide Mexican-American Graduation & More Uplifting Moments in Latin Music
Categoria: Musica
Plus, Venezuelan singer Eduardo Galán opens his own art exhibition in Venice.
Por Billboard | 09/05/2026
From career milestones to new music releases to major announcements and those little important moments, Billboard editors highlight uplifting moments in Latin music. Here’s what happened in the Latin music world this week. CUNY Celebrates Mexican-American Graduates with Peso Pluma as Guest Speaker The City University of New York (CUNY) held its first-ever systemwide Mexican-American graduation ceremony on Saturday (May 2) at the Lehman College Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, with special guest and class padrino Peso Pluma . Organized by the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute with student input and led by Dr. Lizbeth de la Cruz Santana, assistant professor of Black and Latino Studies, the event celebrated the achievements and cultural identity of nearly 200 graduates from 14 CUNY institutions. “This graduation marked a historic milestone as the first CUNY-wide commencement dedicated to honoring Mexican-American students and their families,” Dr. De La Cruz Santana tells Billboard Español . “Inviting Peso Pluma reflected a broader effort to celebrate the contributions of Mexican and Mexican-American communities across New York City and the United States.” Dr. De La Cruz Santana also underscored the event’s grounding in the struggle for educational equity: “For decades, Mexican-American students faced segregation and unequal schooling in states like California, Texas, and Arizona. Landmark moments like Mendez v. Westminster and the East Los Angeles Walkouts demanded access, dignity, and representation.” The Mexican superstar’s surprise appearance moved students and their families. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw him walk out!,” shared graduate Rachelle Campos-Suarez. “To witness such a historic moment for our community, our culture, and future generations was very emotional and unforgettable.” “This celebration did not only honor the graduates but our parents and many others that helped and accompanied us along the way,” added alumni and student organizer Michelle Cruz. “It is also serves as a statement for spaces like the higher education systems that says ‘We belong here too.'” Peso Pluma speaks at City University of New York on Saturday (May 2). Photo credit: Daniela López Amézquita / CUNY MSI Venezuelan Singer Opens His Own Art Exhibition in Venice Venezuelan multidisciplinary artist Eduardo Galán — featured as a musician in our On the Radar Latin column in October 2022 — reached a new milestone this week, this time as a visual artist, by inaugurating his own art exhibition in Venice, Italy. Titled The Circle of Love , the show opened its doors on May 6 at the Kokonton Gallery, coinciding with the preview of the 61st Venice Art Biennale. Related On the Radar Latin: Eduardo Galan, Nora Gonzalez & More Emerging Artists to Discover “This body of work explores the relationship between time, transformation, and