A Time for Latinos to Educate, Engage, Advance and Strengthen [by Leo Adam Biga]
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n its eleventh year, organizers of the the Heartland Latino Leadership Conference & Expo say it is a forum for Latinos to educate, engage, advance leaders and strengthen communities. The November 11-12 event is designed to empower job seekers, business professionals, students, parents, educators, service providers and others.
It begins Thursday with a free Latino Professionals job fair, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Kroc Center, 2825 Y Street. Bilingual-bicultural representatives from area businesses will man booths. A 5:30 to 8 p.m. welcome reception at the First National Bank Tower, 1601 Dodge St., features music by Son del Llano. Friday’s all-day conference and expo unfolds at the Embassy Suites, 12520 Westport Parkway, in La Vista. Programs include keynote talks and workshops by national presenters, a scholarship awards banquet, a gala recognizing individuals and organizations from the community, an exposition of businesses and em-
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ployers, and live music by local, regional and national performers. HLLC has realized the vision of founders Aura Whitney-Jackson, Maria Valentin and Maria Vazquez, who saw the need for a Latino leadership development conference. Support was scarce in the beginning. But attendance was higher than projected in the first year, and the conference has grown annually. More than 600 attendees are expected. “I no longer serve in an official capacity, but I do very much feel proud of how far it’s come,” says Vazquez, former HLLC president and new Associate Vice President of Student Affairs at Metropolitan Community College. “It’s wonderful to see some of the upand-coming leaders really taking this on as their own. They’ve continued the vision, they’ve increased the national speakers agenda, they’ve added entertainment and expanded the expo. They’ve infused more energy. The baton has been handed off to this new generation of leaders.” Current HLLC President Athena Ramos says the high caliber of guests “speaks well to what we are doing here in Omaha.” Ramos is program coordinator of the Center for Health Disparities, College of Public Health, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Speakers will offer motivational messages. Fortune 100 consultant Deborah Rosado Shaw of New Jersey shares Secrets of Success. Youth speaker Gabe Salazar of San Antonio, Texas offers strategies for Living with Purpose. NASA astronaut Jose Hernandez describes his journey from migrant worker to walking in space
EL PERICO | COVER STORY | Del 4 al 10 de Noviembre, 2010
as proof Latinos can achieve great heights from humble beginnings. Other speakers include Robert Rodriguez on recruiting and retaining Latino talent and Fred Licon on finding your passion. Salazar, keynoter for the scholarship luncheon that will present 15 $1,000 scholarships to Latino students, expects to leave an impression with his story of going from homelessness to accomplished professional. “When somebody can stand up there that looks and sounds like you, whose message resonates almost exactly to what your home experience is, I think kids have the ability to relate to not only the struggle but the success,” he says. Hernandez, whose most recent Discovery shuttle mission was to the International Space Station, hopes to inspire, he says, “by showing myself as an example and sharing my experiences, which by the way are pretty similar to the audience’s experiences. The only thing I want them saying after listening to me is, ‘If he can do it, why can’t I?’ I want them to challenge themselves.” Tito Puente Jr., son and namesake of the late Mambo King, Tito Puente Sr., is among featured musicians. He performs Nov. 12 at 9 p.m. HLLC board member Roberto Rundquist says HLLC is many things, including a celebration of Latino culture. “I think it brings more Latino flavor to the community,” he says. “I really like it.” He also likes that it’s fluid enough to respond to changing conditions. “We added a job fair this year because we saw the need for that,” he says. Rundquist, who co-chairs the scholarship committee, says that despite the recession “we have a lot of corporate support.” His employer, Wells Fargo, is one of five diamond-level corporate sponsors and among some 25 sponsors in all. Full conference registration is $150. Students with ID can register for $25. Tickets for the gala and Tito Puente Jr. concert may be purchased separately for $50. Scholarship luncheon tickets can be purchased separately for $35. Registration and schedule details are available at www.heartlandlatino.org or by calling 614-2399.
BRIEFS Cocaine deal led to Sanchez-Gonzales shooting Three people were charged Oct. 27 with first degree murder in connection with the shooting of Cesar Sanchez-Gonzales at his South Omaha auto repair business on Oct. 22. Investigators say the murder resulted from a cocaine deal gone bad. Prosecutors identified Robert Nave, 36, of Kansas City, Mo. as the alleged gunman. Together with Kim Thomas, 57, and Shawn McGuire, 41, both with Kansas City ties, the group arranged to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Omaha resident Cesar Ayala-Martinez, 20, at Sanchez Auto Repair, 4333 S. 24th St. Federal and local officers, who were staked out in the area awaiting a drug deal with an unnamed informant at the same shop, responded to the sound of gunfire. Nave, Thomas, McGuire and Ayala-Martinez were arrested a short time later after crashing their vehicle near 20th and I St. Ayala-Martinez was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Police are searching for a fifth man, Abdul Vann, 35, in connection with the case. South High plans run to benefit hunger Omaha South High School’s Character in Action program is currently accepting registration for its “Running from Hunger 5k Run/Walk” scheduled for Nov. 21 at Collin Stadium, 20th and M St. The event is being held in coordination with the National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Registration costs are $15 and a canned food donation for runners 19 and over. Runners 18 and under need only make a food donation. Monetary donations will benefit the Open Door Mission while the food will go to the Mission for All Nations pantry. Runners can pre-register through Nov. 15 by contacting South High teacher Matt Curtis at matthew.curtis@ops.org. Participants can also register the day of the event at Collin Stadium prior to the 8 a.m. start. Fire forces five from South Omaha home A family of five was forced to flee their home at S. 27th and Monroe St. early Saturday morning following a basement fire. No injuries were reported and officials have yet to determine a cause.