LULAC Emerge Latino Conference Says Do It Now!

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says Youths Don’t Have to Wait

Washington, DC - The clear takeaway message from the Latinos in Leadership opening session of the 2020 Emerge Latino Conference for young Latino leaders is that their time is now and they need to start their career path and have experience catch up with them along the way.

“Young Latinos have the opportunity to seize their futures faster and more effectively than ever,” says Yadira Sanchez, Co-Executive Director, Poder Latinx. “So why wait? I tell young men and women to get going, run for office, serve in your communities, do what you can to lead – those are the learning moments that make you better as you go. Also, build networks and keep them for life because years from now, they will be invaluable resources to one another,” she adds.

2020 marks the sixth year that LULAC holds the weeklong training and leadership development program for college-age Latino participants from communities throughout the United States. The Latinos in Leadership interactive discussion highlights trailblazers in various fields sharing their professional journeys and what led them to become advocates for their communities.

“I can say from firsthand experience that mentors and their shared experiences from people who look like us is a powerful transformative experience for these Latinx participants in the audience,” says Andres Rodriguez, National Vice-President for Youth. “So I tell them not to be afraid to go up to people you don’t know and ask questions. This is often how others know you’re interested and want to be engaged with their area of responsibility or interest,” he adds.

Emerge participants will attend various workshops on current issues including Puerto Rico, elections, education, immigration, the U.S. Census, criminal justice reform and the environment. Also, they will visit elected members of Congress on Capitol Hill and exchange views and ideas on topics of interest and concern to them in their respective districts and states.

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/