Travel journalist and web content writer
at International TEFL Academy
Members of HispanicPro were present at the 31st National Conference of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), called: “2013 National Conference: Empowering the E-Generation”. The event took place at Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, from February 14th until the 17th.
“The USHLI Conference mission is to train a broad cross section of Hispanic leaders by promoting education, unity, leadership development, and servant leadership. It has been held in Chicago for the last 30 years. The conference attracts leaders from over 40 states and 1,000 affiliated groups and organizations to celebrate our heritage and further empower our communities and is the largest cross-generational Hispanic conference in the nation, attracting high school and college students, young and mid-career professionals, senior citizens, and public officials representing all levels of government. This is an extraordinary opportunity for vendors to meet consumers, universities to recruit students, constituents to meet national policy-makers, and for employers to meet future employees, while also providing sponsors an opportunity to contribute to the development of these nation´s present and future leaders and connect with a broad cross section of America´s $1.3 trillion Hispanic consumer market.” (http://ushli.org/events/index.php)
Leadership Awards Dinner, Friday 15th 2013
The Awards dinner held some of the most inspirational speeches from featured Hispanic leaders of 2013 to promote other Hispanic members to follow their dreams and be “Leaders of future generations”. This time, Dr. Juan Andrade President of USHLI welcomed the guests and opened the meeting.
The Assembly stood out for the speeches of their special guests: Richard P. Montañez, Executive, Multicultural Sales & Community Activation, PepsiCo North America. Mr. Montañez thrilled the audience. He highlighted his career at Pepsi Co, to symbolize that even coming from nothing, it’s possible to build your future, especially when you have the strength of mind and you appreciate yourself. He called for young generations to follow their dreams and believe that everything is possible. He said that there are different powers of action which will help us achieve our goals and become leaders. "A good leader has vision, as well as an understanding of strategy, the use of power and drive, while an inspirational leader goes beyond all this and achieves more."
In the Presentation of Honorees, other Hispanic leaders were honored in recognition of their distinguished careers and achievements:
David Diaz, Assistant Area Director, recipient of the “William C. Velasquez Volunteer of the Year Award”.
Juan Cartagena, President & General Counsel, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, who received the “Cesar Chavez Community Service Award”
Dr. Jaime Regalado, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, CSU/LA. Mr. Regalado was honored with the “Dr. Henry L. (Hank) Lacayo Lifetime Achievement Award.”
Dolores C. Huerta, matriarch of the Latino movement for civil rights, who was awarded the “Dolores C. Huerta Woman of Courage Inaugural Medallion”.
Undoubtedly, this was a conference to remember, to feel proud about who we are, and also an invitation to reflect on what are we able to achieve if we follow our dreams.
