C E L E B R AT I N G
N AT I O N A L H I S PA N I C
H E R I TA G E M O N T H
S E P T E M B E R 1 9 , 2 0 2 3
N AT I O N A LH I S PA N I C H E R I TAG E M O N T H
o Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
o The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18.
o Hispanics/Latinos have contributed to U.S. since the American Revolution, fighting in every war since then. Latinos today continue to advance communities across the country as small business owners, veterans, teachers, and public servants, among many other professions. Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to recognize their achievements and contributions to our national story.
o Long Beach residents make up 43.9% of the City’s population (198,123 total residents). o The Latino Employee Organization (LEO) honors National Hispanic Heritage Month every year and celebrates its members culture and diversity everyday by uplifting one another's professional career goals and aspirations.
A B O U T U S
FOUNDED
o 2010 – Group of Latino professionals/friends that came together & formed the Latino Management Association, an effort spearheaded by former City Clerk Larry Herrera and supported by former City Manager Patrick West and former Council District 1/former Mayor Robert Garcia. o 2015 – The organization rebranded to Latino Employee Organization (LEO) to provide leadership opportunities to all fellow Latino/Latina employees. Since then, LEO has grown and the organization welcomes all City employees to join, regardless of their background.
MEMBERSHIP
o 17 Board Members
o 11 Advisory Board includes Executive Leaders
o 100+ LEO Members
STRATEGIC PARTNERS
o Long Beach Affinity Group Network
o Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Association, Black Employees Association, LGBTQ+ Beach Pride, Native Employees Organization
PRESIDENT
SUSIE GONZALEZ
VICE PRESIDENT
JOY CONTRERAS
TREASURER
JULIAN CERNUDA
SECRETARY
SELENA RICO
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CO-CHAIRS
JORGE GODINEZ & YESENIA RICO
COMM. & OUTREACH CHAIR
ELI ROMERO
COMMUNICATIONS CO-CHAIRS
PATTY ALEMAN & VANESSA BARBOSA
MEMBERSHIP CO-CHAIRS
SAL BARAJAS & DAVID McGILL-SORIANO
MENTORSHIP CO-CHAIRS
BRENDA CUBILLO & MELISSA L. MOJICA
SCHOLARSHIP CO-CHAIRS
JAIME G. GARCIA & JOHNATHAN N. GARCIA
ARTS & CULTURE CO-CHAIRS
JULIA SMAY & TONY VIRAMONTES
2 0 2 3 L E O L E A D E R S
L E O P R I O R I T I E S
COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT
Celebrating LEO's culture and
diversity by volunteering with
community partners
EDUCATIONAL
SCHOLARSHIPS
Granting scholarships for post-
secondary & non-traditional
education for Long Beach students
FUNDRAISING
EVENTS
Securing funds through Annual
Churro 5K-Run, Cumbia
Cruise, and more!
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Hosting workshops, networking
events, and supporting career
advancement
N OTA B L E AC C O M P L I S H M E N T S
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
o Raised over $10,000 in 2022
o Grant 5-7 scholarships to local Long
Beach students each year
o Hosting a 3rd Annual Run in
November 2023 – Stay tuned!
o Annual Dia De Los Muertos Altar or
"Ofrenda" to honor the lives of loved
ones
o Open to all City of Long Beach
employees to participate
Churro 5K Run & Scholarship Program
o Hosted 5 professional development
workshops to date
o Avg. 50-75 attendees per workshop
o Upcoming National Hispanic Heritage
Month Lunch & Learn in October 2023
o Kicked off new LEO Mentorship
program where City employees are
paired with City leadership
o 36 total participants: 18 mentor and
mentee pairings
Professional Development Workshops
Launch of Mentorship Program
N OTA B L E AC C O M P L I S H M E N T S
o Volunteered at Aquarium of the Pacific
Noche de Estrellas event to sign up
new LEO members and provide arts
and crafts to families
Mi Tierra Fair Noche de Estrellas
o Volunteered at Puente's Mi Tierra Event
to sign up new LEO members and
provide starter succulent kits to the
community
N OTA B L E AC C O M P L I S H M E N T S
U P C O M I N G E V E N T S
• Community service offering arts and crafts activities for children Aquarium of Pacific, Baja Splash Festival –
September 24th
• Seminar/Workshop
Lunch & Learn: National Hispanic Heritage
Month
• LEO will offer free books in Spanish and English for all ages Long Beach Public Library, Mercardito Literario –
October 7, 11am – 4pm
• 3rd Annual fundraiser to support the LEO’s Scholarships Program 5K Churro Run – November 2023
W E M U S T U S E O U R L I V E S T O
M A K E T H E W O R L D A B E T T E R
P L AC E T O L I V E , N O T J U S T T O
AC Q U I R E T H I N G S .
T H AT I S W H AT W E A R E P U T
O N T H E E A R T H F O R .
- Dolores Huerta
T H ANK YOU !
Website: LBLEO.org
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/lbleo