Five Latinx Leaders' Thoughts On Leadership and Education

The following inspiring Latinx leaders represent the incredible progress we’ve made as a community and inspire us to overcome the challenges that remain by fueling the líder we all carry inside.

¡Que comience la celebración!

Juana Bordas, Author of "The Power of Latino Leadership"

“Latinos are diversity—they are a cultural and ethnic group, not a race. Latinos are brown, Black, white, yellow, and all the beautiful hues in between. Some Latinos have ancestors who were here before this country was the United States. Others have recently immigrated. Our extended families are composed of multiple generations. These differences drive inclusive leadership rooted in the culture’s expansive diversity. Latino leadership is one of coalition building, bringing people together, working across sectors, and embracing a consciousness of partnership. Latino leaders leverage the power of inclusion.”

Marty Castro, Chair, Co-Founder, New Futuro

“Education is one of the most important civil rights issues. When you give someone an education, it changes them irreversibly; it transforms their life and it changes their community forever. Once you have an education you can’t be oppressed, you can’t be led astray. It is crucially important to me that I help young Latinos reach the American dream; education is its foundation.”

Vanessa Lugo, International Studies Coordinator and Community Relations Coordinator, Denver Center for International Studies at Fairmont

“Our children yearn for educators who will not only provide them with a quality education but an educator who will communicate to them that their culture, language, and backgrounds are valuable assets that will help them achieve success."

Curtis Acosta, Founder, Acosta Latino Learning Partnership

“It is my vision to help teachers, schools, and educational organizations empower youth to find their own voice and academic identity through culturally responsive and engaging academic experiences.”

Ana Ponce, CEO, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

“I am the daughter of immigrant parents, I am an immigrant myself. I’m the youngest of seven, and the first one in my family to go to high school and the first one to graduate from college. I came back to the community because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to give something back to the community where I grew up. I really wanted to have an impact in public education. As a teacher, I could have a direct impact and I could make a difference in the lives of the children that I was teaching and as a school leader I could have an impact in the lives of the families that were part of my school.”