3 minute read
A Passion for Life
KIMBERLY MCKAY (‘95)
Since graduating from SNU, Jorge (’95) and Brenda (Campos) (’01) Hernandez have been driven by a passion to build up and enrich their community. This dynamic couple has played a significant role in the revitalization of the Oklahoma City Capitol Hill Historic District and the Latino community at large. Combining their talents with a desire to lift up and showcase their community, they’re changing their world one relationship at a time.
Jorge and Brenda located in the Historic Capitol Hill District
“Southern Nazarene definitely offered certain events and experiences that helped us to understand the value of community,” Jorge said, reflecting on his time on campus.
Jorge and Brenda live their lives with the premise that “if we could only remember how God loves us as his children, so that we could look at each person with a new lens – as humans - instead of looking at our differences with fear.” In fact, it was Jorge who started the first-ever Cinco De Mayo on campus back in the ’90s. Even then, he saw how much diversity could improve campus life.
Tango PR and the Myriad Botanical Gardens partner each year to bring the community Dancing in the Gardens.
The couple credits their professors at SNU for giving them the skills, confidence, and education they needed to make an impact where they were planted. While Jorge admits he wishes he would have paid more attention, both credited and gave thanks to Prof. Marcia Feisal and Dr. Pam Broyles, in the Communications Department, for laying the groundwork for many of their future endeavors. They also expressed their gratitude for intentional ways the faculty at SNU taught them about family and growing a heart for humanity.
Early on, Jorge and Brenda became aware of groups or organizations that needed a “road map for the steps to success.” Because of their relationships and connections throughout Oklahoma City, they were sought out for advice regarding marketing, public relations, and business decisions, which eventually led to spearheading events and planning. This was the dawn of Tango PR, and a new era for the Hernandezes.
Jorge & Brenda Hernandez with OKC Mayor David Holt following a Facebook Live interview highlighting Hispanic Heritage Month. Scan QR code to see the interview.
“There are different ways of doing business in this new age and with this community,” Brenda said, adding that “a lot of people don’t understand what the Latino community actually is.” “Education is vital to helping others see things from a different perspective and understand every nationality inside this amazing group of people from Guatemala, Colombia, Hispanic – Central and South America,” she explained.
Tango PR participates in community outreach with Supermercados Morelos.
One event, the “Fiestas of the Americas,” has been pivotal in not only growing their company but lifting Latino people, giving them a voice and presence in their city. This started renewing their community in a way that no one saw coming. While it’s a huge celebration, giving people the opportunity to share their heritage, this annual festival is so much more. It has enriched family life and empowered children to further their education and become leaders. It also draws corporate sponsors and stimulates new business in the historic district.
The Hernandezes meet with Capitol Hill Civic Group.
The Hernandezes are reluctant to take credit for creating all of these new opportunities in the Latino community, but there’s no doubt they are breaking barriers to encourage “togetherness” and changing how people view the Hispanic community. Through innovation and a passion for building relationships across cultural lines, Jorge and Brenda Hernandez are impacting and adding value to their community – one encounter at a time.
