A CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLISHER
Joining forces
I
The Latino Donor Collaborative is currently working to improve the image of Hispanics
I met with Sol Trujillo more than a year ago in New York, when he invited me to attend a meeting of the Latino Donor Collaborative. I was not completely aware of this group nor did I know their objectives, but I was totally impressed after the half-day meeting concluded. One of the presentations that left an impression on me was a study by Frances Negrón (Columbia University researcher in ethnicity and race) and Moctesuma Esparza, the well-known, independent Hollywood movie producer. Their presentations showed how poor the image of Latinos is in media and entertainment. We published some parts of that study in our October-November edition last year. In that event last year, I invited Sol Trujillo to be a presenter and speaker in our 101 Most Influential Latinos Luncheon in Washington D.C. and he made a fantastic presentation on the advancement of Latinos and the challenges this poses. Trujillo is a fantastic leader; a soft spoken man, he listens before speaking, is well connected and has a brilliant mind. He has been CEO of many corporations and now he’s using his experience to lead the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC) organization in its quest to improve the plight of Latinos. Sol has put together, among others, a great board with leaders such as David Hernández from Liberty Power and Tom Castro from Border Media Partners. During this year’s gathering in New York, which I had the privilege to be invited to again, I met with great leaders such as Linda Alvarado, Alex López Negrete, Pat Pineda and Oscar Muñoz, the newly appointed CEO of United Airlines. All of them spoke about issues like inclusion, advancement and how to improve the image of Latinos. Latino Leaders awarded Sol Trujillo its highest recognition; The Latino Leaders Maestro Award in 2014 in Los Angeles, where we came to know Sol’s story better -- a story that deserves all the best recognition. But as I get to know Sol more and more, I have the feeling that the best for him is yet to come in his current role. The work he’s doing at the LDC is very much needed. Our best wishes to him and the LDC! What a great experience! SOL TRUJILLO, A MAN WITH A VISION TO IMPROVE THE IMAGE OF LATINOS.
6 • October / November 2015