The Center for Critical Race Studies (CCRS) celebrated its third annual summer "Read Out" with 43 students from the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program. Latino and African-American young men between the ages of 12 and 18 met Friday, July 18, at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) to critically explore Luis Urrea's seminal immigration tale, Into the Beautiful North, and tour the University as a potential college destination.

The program highlighted the racial, gendered and sexual intersections of Mexican and Mexican-American societies. College of Humanities and Social Sciences faculty and student leaders, led by CCRS Director Vida Robertson, challenged the students to examine the concept of racial construction, U.S. immigration policy, human rights issues on the border, political power structures, and the concept of community responsibility.

Assistant Director of the Center for Critical Race Studies Toya T. Mares said, "UHD students volunteered to make this event a success and their volunteerism works toward accomplishing the University's quality enhancement plan, Academic Achievement Through Community Engagement."