Posted May 20, 2019 | by KimS | in DemDaily, Resource

DemDaily: The Latino Challenge

May 20, 2019

In the tradition of Washington "powerhouse" luncheons, 225 of the country's most prominent Latino leaders gathered in DC last week to honor their shining stars and to issue a challenge to current and next generations.

Elected officials, corporate and community dignitaries were on hand at the Mayflower Hotel for the 58th Latino Leaders Luncheon series event hosted by the Latino Leaders Network last Thursday.

The non-partisan Latino Leaders Network, founded in 2004 by Chair Mickey Ibarra, hosts six annual events that bring together dignitaries, public, civic and corporate leaders to establish relationships, build unity, and share their personal stories of obstacles which they have overcome to achieve success.

Honorable Mickey Ibarra, founder of the Latino Leaders Network

Special guests included Congressional members Tony Cárdenas (D-CA) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM), along with representatives from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, UnidosUS and Dialogue on Diversity.

They were just a few of the organizations present that advocate on behalf the 58.9 million Hispanics and Latinos living in the United States.

Paula Kerger, President & CEO of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), introduced journalist Alicia Menendez, a correspondent on PBS's show Amanpour & Company, and the first recipient of the Latino Leaders Network's Rising Star Award.

Senator Bob Menendez, Journalist Alicia Menendez, Mickey Ibarra and PBS President & CEO Paula Kerger

Menendez, 35, is also contributing editor at Bustlehost of the Latina to Latina podcast and previously hosted Come Here and Say That on Fusion and was a host and producer of HuffPost Live. She has a book, The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Own Your Worth, coming out in November.

Kerger praised Menendez as "one of the most influential voices of her generation ... who embodies the best attributes of public media: integrity, relentless curosity and a desire to make a difference."

In the closing remarks of her acceptance speech, Alicia Menendez set the tone for the rest of the event with her challenge to those in the room.

"Since I am in the business of asking questions ... How often do you invite new people into the room? How often do you step back to allow other people to step up? How are you using the power and access you have to create opportunity for others? What can you do to be of service. Right now, today."
-- Journalist Alicia Menendez

Lujan: "What can we do to make a difference with our advocacy, with our lives, with our policy, with our voices?"(Click/Watch)

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), who is Ranking Member on the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, was on hand to recognize his daughter's achievement and to introduce Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), the keynote speaker and recipient of the Latino Leaders Network's Eagle Leadership Award.

Lujan chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) during the successful 2018 midterm elections that delivered control of the US House to Democrats and is running for the 2020 US Senate being vacated by the retirement of New Mexico's senior Senate, Tom Udall (D).

Lujan, who is known for his work on the Affordable Care Act and leadership in protecting America's public lands, wasted no time in appealing to those present.

"There is something that has been lost with character and integrity in this country ... Our standing in America is just not at a crossroads, it is in peril. What are we going to do to change that?"

-- Congressman Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM)

Lujan challenged, "We have a room of leaders from across America. Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Libertarians. All represented in this room. There is not a one of us who agrees with what this President is doing.

Rising Star Alicia Menendez (Click/Her Speech!)

Let's come together. Let's stand up to these attrocities of tearing children apart from their families and putting them in cages ... I hope those images move you to speak up. To say something if you have been a part of the conversation and say 'No more, not on our watch!' Are you with me?"

Also recognized at the event was LLN's Community Partner, Friends of National Museum of the American Latino, represented by Estuardo Rodriguez Jr. The non-profit is dedicated to the creation of a museum on the National Mall.

Other speakers included remarks from sponsors Bill Bradley of Anheuser-Busch, Fred Humphries of Microsoft and recognition of other sponsors Southwest Airlines and Geico.

The second-largest ethnic group in the United States, and the largest emerging voting block in the country, the Latino community compromises approximately 18.1% of the US population and 11% of the voting electorate.

More Hispanics voted in 2018 than in any other time in history. Their voice, and their vote, will be a critical factor in taking back the White House.

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LLN Chair Mickey Ibarra announced that Latino Leaders Speak: Personal Stories of Struggle and Triumph, a collection of 33 keynote addresses by some of our country's most prominent Latino voices, will be released as a curriculum guide for teachers in August.