Latino Leadership Forum features national and state leaders
Feb. 12, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- Three Latino leaders will be the featured speakers at an areawide Latino Leadership Forum from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in Rooms 157-158 of Western Michigan University's Bernhard Center.
Participating in the free public forum will be Rodolfo Lopez, national field director for the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, which is based in Chicago; Armando Ojeda, executive director of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; and Elva Revilla, Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm's deputy chief for administration.
The event will begin with presentations from each of the three featured speakers and end with the speakers taking questions from the audience. It is designed to stimulate discussion of leadership, economic development and political participation issues that are of importance to the Latino community.
Lopez joined the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute in 1996. The institute organizes and conducts nonpartisan voter registration and leadership development programs in 40 states. It seeks to advance democracy by empowering minorities and similarly disenfranchised groups and by maximizing civic awareness and participation in the electoral process.
Ojeda was named executive director of the MHCC April 1, 2002. In this capacity, he is responsible for facilitating business development initiatives, delivering value-added services to MHCC member companies, implementing strategic plan and managing the organization's day-to-day operations.
Revilla oversees executive office operations. Her responsibilities encompass personnel, budget and information technology matters; appointments to boards and commissions; constituent services; and the governor's southeast and Upper Peninsula offices.
The forum is being sponsored by WMU's Division of Multicultural Affairs, Latino Student Alliance, Latino Employees Association, Sigma Lambda Beta and Sigma Lambda Gamma. For more information, contact Mike Ramirez, assistant director of multicultural affairs, at (269) 387-3329 or <miguel.ramirez@wmich.edu>.
Media note: Speakers for the Latino Leadership Forum are expected to be available for comment after the event concludes. To arrange an interview, call Mike Ramirez at (269) 387-3329.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu