The 15th Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the 15th Annual Hispanic Leadership Conference. In the last two days I’ve been reading the media coverage about the conference. The Morning Journal’s website allows people to respond to the stories they publish. I am glad we live in a country where we are allowed to express our concerns about anything and everything. I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world. The great thing is I get to respond to all of the statements made. What I have to say is; I am appalled at most of the responses.
It is amazing to me that people have made comments about something that they have no clue about. The conference is about empowerment. Yes it is true that things were discussed that are affecting the Hispanic community; Things like, legalized racial profiling in Arizona, and human trafficking. Below is a description of all the workshops discussed read them and tell me what is wrong with any of them.
Identity Theft, Scams and Vulnerable Populations:
This workshop will identify and offer strategies to prevent identity theft or “true name fraud”, which happens when a criminal obtains and uses a consumer’s personal information such as credit cards, bank account numbers, insurance information and social security numbers to purchase goods or services fraudulently. The presenter will also provide information on scams that are being perpetrated on vulnerable populations, how to protect yourself, and who to contact if scam artists and other criminals approach.
Presenter: Susan Choe, Chief, Consumer Protection Section, Office of the Attorney General of Ohio
Danger Online - Cyber Predators and Sexual Exploitation on the Internet:
This workshop will teach participants safeguards and necessary strategies which should be implemented to protect their children from cyber-predators. It will also examine the issue of sexual exploitation of children on the internet and help parents identify protective measures to keep their children safe. Participants in this workshop will learn to recognize techniques which predators use to deceive children, how to respond assertively and teach their children how to respond assertively in uncomfortable and potentially compromising online situations. Information will also be provided on common sense techniques and resources to keep youth, adults and families safe online.
Presenter: Kathleen Nichols, LSW. MA, Youth and Juvenile Program Coordinator, Crime Victims Assistance and Prevention Section, Office of the Attorney General of Ohio

Do You know Who You Are? Latino Pride & The 2010 Census Response:
This workshop will present some of the Latino issues that surfaced during the 2010 Census to include the question of who we are and what “Ethnicity” we identified with. The presenters will explain the government’s emphasis on respecting the privacy and information of anyone completing the Census form and the dire legal penalties involved for anyone violating the confidentiality of the Census form. The presenters will also demonstrate how Latino non-profits and individuals can utilize Census data to secure additional resources for their communities.
Presenters: Guadalupe Lara, LMSW, Regional Migrant Partnership Specialist for Michigan and Ohio and Richard Romero, Ohio Latino Team, U.S. Census Bureau.

New Puerto Rico Birth Certificates & the Undermining of Puerto Rico’s Economy: This workshop will examine the realities, myths and intent of the new law requiring some individuals born in Puerto Rico to secure new birth certificates. The presenter will discuss government justification for the new law, the role identity theft targeting Puerto Ricans on the Island and Mainland played in the enactment of the new birth certificate legislation, how the law has been misinterpreted by some agencies in Ohio and whether or not the U.S. Virgin Islands uprooting of Captain Morgan from Puerto Rico, and undermining Puerto Rico’s economy, played a role in the new birth certificate legislation.
Presenter: Luis Balzac, North East Regional Director for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
When Walls Talk – Art as a Catalyst for Change:
For more than twenty-five years, María Domínguez has dedicated a great part of her artistic work to public art, creating more than 21 public art murals, using the process of community mural making to express community identification, articulate Puerto Rican determination “not to be erased from history”, and as a catalyst for social justice and change. This workshop will examine Maria’s visual art and murals, their impact, and their ownership by the communities in which they live. Dr. Raquel Ortiz, who has written on the work of Maria Dominguez, will provide commentary on Maria’s role in strengthening and unifying communities, and introduce the artist who will discuss her intent, the motivation behind her work, and her role as a visual narrator and “documenter”. This workshop will include a question and answer period with the artist.
.Presenters: Dr. Raquel Ortiz, Adjunct Professor & Author, Kent State University and renowned International Visual Artist and Muralist Maria Dominguez.
Border Angels: A tribute to Human Compassion:
Founded by Enrique Morones in 1986, Border Angels is a non-profit organization supporting humanity. The organization consists of extraordinary volunteers who want to stop the unnecessary deaths of individuals traveling through the Imperial Valley desert areas and the mountain areas surrounding San Diego County, as well as the areas located around the United States and Mexican border. The high numbers of unnecessary deaths have been the result of extreme heat and cold weather conditions, although some have sadly been the results of racial-discrimination crimes. This workshop will highlight the work of the Border Angels, examine conditions in the border areas and discuss some of the work required if this country is to one day create an immigration policy that respects human life, understand the plight of immigrants and lives up to the ideals and values that helped to create this country.
Presenter: Enrique Morones, President/Founder, Border Angels

Budgeting in a Recession – Waking Up Your Dreams:
How does one build his/her family’s financial future in a financially insecure time? How does one survive and overcome the struggles of a major recession at a time of record high unemployment? How do you stop from staying up at night worrying about your personal finances? This workshop is built on the premise that just because jobs change and times get hard doesn’t mean that your dreams have to be sacrificed, or discarded. Participants in this workshop will learn the steps necessary to return to the path leading to financial security. The presenter is a financial advisor, who will show participants how to maximize their purchasing power through budgeting, basic research techniques, avoiding pitfalls, and focusing on attainable goals.
Presenter: Allen G. Porter, CRPC, Associate Financial Advisor, Collier, Petras and Associates
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Latin Dance: The Passion and Art of the Tango:
This workshop will serve as a crash course for participants wanting to learn the passion and artistic rhythms behind the Argentine Tango. This is a hands-on workshop requiring participation by all attendees.
Presenters: Adriana Salgado, Orlando Reyes, Eduardo Goytia and Jennifer Wesnousky principal instructors, dancers and coaches from DanceSport Studio in New York City.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP COMPONENT
2010 Hispanic Leadership Conference

High School students attending this year’s Youth Leadership component will be treated to thought provoking workshops on Cyber-Predators and Sexual Exploitation on the Internet, a dramatic Spoken Word training and performance session with International Spoken Word Artist Gabriela Garcia Medina and also be allowed to attend a workshop of their choice from 2:30pm-3:30om. Those attending the conference will be sponsored to attend the Saturday evening Formal Gala at the Lorain Party Center from 6:00pm until midnight at no cost.
Danger Online - Cyber Predators and Sexual Exploitation on the Internet:
11:00am – 12:30pm - Lecture Hall – Stocker Theater
This workshop will teach participants safeguards and necessary strategies which should be implemented to protect their children from cyber-predators. It will also examine the issue of sexual exploitation of children on the internet and help parents identify protective measures to keep their children safe. Participants in this workshop will learn to recognize techniques which predators use to deceive children, how to respond assertively and teach their children how to respond assertively in uncomfortable and potentially compromising online situations. Information will also be provided on common sense techniques and resources to keep youth, adults and families safe online.
Presenter: Kathleen Nichols, LSW. MA, Youth and Juvenile Program Coordinator, Crime Victims Assistance and Prevention Section, Office of the Attorney General of Ohio

Expressing Yourself through Spoken Word, Slam Poetry and Hip-Hop:
1:30pm – 2:30pm – Lecture Hall – Stocker Theater
This workshop will utilize spoken word and other expressive tools to teach youth how to communicate effectively and grab the attention of those they feel should listen to what our young people have to say. Ms. Gabriela Garcia Medina has performed throughout the United States at colleges, high schools and at festivals and conference all over the world. During this session she will share her talents with her favorite audience – youth who have something to say – and want to make sure that their audience listens. Participants in this workshop who want extra time training with Gabriela can elect to stay in this workshop for the 2:30pm-3:30pm session.
Choice of Workshops: 2:30pm – 3:30pm:
For their final session youth will be allowed to attend a workshop of their choice from the conference agenda posted on page 3 of the conference program booklet. For those attending the evening gala, be sure to get your gala ticket at the Cinema Hall (Stocker Theater) during the closing session where you are also eligible to win door prizes donated by sponsors and other organizations.

So can someone please tell me what is wrong with any of thing that was included above? It is the same old story; Ignorance.
I had the opportunity to interview Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray and Enrique Morones of Border Angels. Check them out and tell me what you think.