Hispanic Engagement to Multicultural Marketing; Midland, TX to D.C.

I can’t believe it’s already May! In exactly one month, our little baby girl will be with us (yay!). Before that happens and my life is turned upside down, I’m spreading my message – la palabra! And it seems like it’s getting some good traction. So what’s my message? Well, it’s mostly about building relationships with each other, understanding nuestras culturas, experiences and traditions and giving people the tools to create change. Yes, it’s about Hispanic Engagement (pending copyright), multicultural approaches to community engagement and really, understanding people. Want to learn more? Join me in Midland, Austin, San Antonio or D.C.!

Nos vemos en el camino!

Mando

San Antonio, TX – Serve America Act stakeholder conversation with Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service – Engaging all Americans including people of color to serve. May 6, Noon to 2pm

Austin, TX – Community Engagement discussion with new Executive Directors – Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, May 13, Noon – 1pm

Midland, TX – United in the Community Keynote and Cultural Strategies Collaboration workshop – Casa de Amigos, May 14, 9:30 – 2:00pm

San Antonio, TX – Project Innovation workshop – United Way of San Antonio, May 18, 1:00-3:00pm

Austin, TX – Volunteers of the Future Panel Discussion – Seeds for Change Nonprofit Breakfast Series, The Patio at Russell’s Bistro, May 20, 8:00 – 9:30am

Washington, D.C. – Cultural Strategies Executive Presentation for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, May 25, 10:00-11:30am                                                                                                                               

Washington, D.C. – Hispanic Engagement workshop – Gov 2.0 EXPO 2010,May 25, 1:00-3:00pm

Austin, TX – Multicultural Marketing – Take it to the Next Level” Series, City of Austin Cultural Arts Division, August 17, 11:00am – 2:00pm

Update: Austin Says No to Arizona’s Immigration Law!

After one day of hard work & online advocacy via Twitter, FB, snail email and one phone call, we have a proposal for an economic boycott against Arizona by the Austin City Council. Standing up for Austin is Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez who said in a press release that he didn’t want to “expose city employees to potentially hostile environment in Arizona” and “that our Austin community stands in vehement opposition to racial discrimination in any form.” And being who I am, I vehemently agree!

Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Austin Councilmember Bill Spelman and Mayor Pro Tem Martinez will introduce the resolution at the May 13^th Austin City Council meeting. Meanwhile, I’ve been gathering mas support via Twitter & Facebook. So if you want to keep up to date on the resolution or show your support, please join us on the “Austin Says NO to Arizona’s Immigration Law!” We’re already up to 294 LIKEs and y’know we like the LIKEs now!

Muchisimas gracias to Bobby Garza and Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez for taking the lead on this effort. They are a prime example of city officials listening and working for the people! You can read the full press release below.

Adelante!

Mando

For Immediate Release

April 29, 2010

Contact: Bobby Garza, Office of Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez

(512) 974-2264

Austin Council Members To Propose Arizona Boycott

Austin, Texas – Austin Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez, City Council Member Bill Spelman and Mayor Lee Leffingwell announced today that they will introduce a resolution at the May 13^th City Council meeting directing the City Manager to limit employee travel to Arizona and to present a plan to the Council for terminating business and investment relationships with the State of Arizona.

“The reasons for introducing this measure are two-fold,” said Mayor Pro Tem Martinez.  “First and foremost, we want to ensure that we are not exposing city employees to risk by sending them into an uncertain and potentially hostile environment in Arizona .  Second, we want to send a loud and clear message to the State of Arizona that our community stands in vehement opposition to racial discrimination in any form.”

“This resolution has precedent in past Council actions,” added Martinez .  “For example, we’ve previously passed policies prohibiting the city from doing business with manufacturers who utilize sweatshop labor.  It is squarely within the Council’s purview to determine with whom the city should or should not do business based on their practices.”

The resolution comes on the heels of passage of SB 1070 in Arizona that effectively mandates racial profiling throughout the state.  Other cities across the country, including Los Angeles and Washington D.C. , are contemplating similar legislation.  San Francisco has recently passed a resolution that will terminate all contracts with Arizona-based companies and end city business with the state.

“ Arizona ’s new immigration law puts anyone traveling to the state in jeopardy of being detained, based on a law enforcement officer’s ‘reasonable suspicion’ that that person might be an undocumented immigrant,” said Council Member Bill Spelman.  “That’s wrong, and I can’t responsibly allow our city employees to be placed at such a risk.”

“While I’m normally reluctant to support the Council formally weighing in on issues outside of our jurisdiction, Arizona ’s legislation potentially has a direct impact on our employees, and is generally so offensive that I believe it demands our attention,” said Mayor Leffingwell.   “I’m supporting this resolution because I believe that we have a responsibility not only to protect our own employees, but also to speak out loudly against racial discrimination wherever it exists.”

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Adelante Austin: Getting Austin to boycott business in Arizona

Yesterday, my friend Perla Cavazos posted the story about L.A. boycotting or “refraining from doing business in Arizona” in the L.A. Times. I thought to myself, what a bold move and way to show support and solidarity for Hispanics – immigrants and Americans! See excerpt from L.A. Times story…

“On Tuesday, seven members of the Los Angeles City Council signed a proposal for a boycott, calling for the city to “refrain from conducting business” or participating in conventions in Arizona. Councilman Ed Reyes, who coauthored the proposal with Councilwoman Janice Hahn, said he wants city officials to spend the next 90 days assessing the financial relationships that exist between various city departments and businesses based in Arizona.”

So of course, I asked myself, what about Austin? What can we do to help? So I posted the question on FB and Twitter and got some good responses.

After talking to a few peeps, online and off-line, I decided to take action. So this morning I called Mayor Pro Tem Mike Martinez’s office and since then have been communicating with  Bobby Garza. Both Mike and Bobby told me that they’re working on pushing forward a proposal to present to the Austin City Council to boycott business in Arizona. Sweet! And I was still trying to get some support via my Twitter amigos and it’s looking good.

So now I’m waiting on details from Bobby to set up a Facebook page to get all of Austin mobilized around this effort. I hope you will join me!

Adelante!

Mando

National Museum of the American Latino, Texas Public Forum – Sat. May 1st

Latinos – Stand up! We have an opportunity to showcase 500 years of Latino contributions with the creation of the National Museum of the American Latino. And there’s a chance that it might live in Austin, TX! This Saturday, May 1 at 10am, the National Museum of the American Latino Commission will be hosting the only forum in Texas to get feedback from Tejanos, Americanos, Latinos and the like. So Saturday morning, make your pan dulce and breakfast taco to go and particpate in the forum!

Adelante!

Mando

Manos p’arriba! On Your Feet International Music & Dance

There’s so many things going on this weekend but if you love international music and dancing, there’s one event you can not miss! On Your Feet International Music and Dance Extravaganza is this weekend and you better get ready to get your groove on! By the way, what’s up with all these dance/music festivals calling themselves “extravaganza” all the time??? Okay, I digress.  Not only will it be a good time but it’s for a great cause. The event will raise awareness and cold hard cash for Casa Marianella, a nonprofit that provides shelter and services to immigrants in Austin.

Check out their vid and line-up!

An exotic evening of sizzling music and captivating dances by world class performers that are sure to keep your feet moving and your head bobbin!

Capoeria Evolucao

http://www.capoeiraevolucao.com/

Nritya Sangam

http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/nrityasangam/home.html

Fuerza Latina

http://www.myspace.com/fuerzalatinadanceco

Olivia Baile Flamenco

http://www.oliviabaileflamenco.org/performances.htm

Blue Lapis Light

http://www.bluelapislight.org/

Bollywood for a cause

http://www.bollywoodforacause.org/

Ritmo 3

http://www.myspace.com/ritmo3

Headliner!

Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca

http://www.makinaloca.com/

Proyecto Mosaico: 500 years of American Latino contributions

Today the Austin American-Statesman published a story on Proyecto Mosaico. There’s a group in Austin that wants to bring a National Museum of the American Latino to Austin. Would that be a good fit for Austin? The group that is advocating for the museum seems to think so! Luckily, I have insider’s knowledge. Our friends at Hahn, Texas are working on the project along with a very impressive leadership committee. You may also be wondering why Austin? We’re not San Antonio, Chicago or L.A. Well, I went right to the source and asked. Here’s the information I gathered on Proyecto Mosaico.

There’s a group in Austin on a mission to locate the potential National Museum of the American Latino in Austin, Texas.

The Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino (National Museum) was signed into law (Public Law 110-229 [S.2739]) in 2008. The Commission members are tasked with studying the feasibility of creating this museum in the nation’s capital, but the National Mall is physically full.

The National Museum would provide a home for the historical artifacts, images and personal stories documenting over 500 years of American Latino contributions to the United States and it would serve as an educational tool for the thousands of anticipated visitors and instill a sense of pride in the Latino community today and in the future.

The big question is why Austin, Texas?

Nearly one in five U.S. Latinos lives in Texas—more than 8.5 million people. Eight of the nation’s top 25 counties for Latino population are in Texas, with each having more than 300,000 Latino residents; and Travis County, where Austin is located, is one of those counties. Austin is the capital of Texas and lies just west of the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas Trail, the “Crossroads of Cultures” and is on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Highway.

Austin and the Hill Country draw visitors from around the globe to its natural, cultural and lifestyle landmarks like the State Capitol, Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Blanton Museum of Art, Texas Memorial Museum, Barton Springs, Highland Lakes, SXSW, ACL Festival and many others. Austin also is a globally recognized center of scholarship, innovation and creativity with the University of Texas and it’s renowned Teresa Lozano Long Institute Latin American Studies program, the Mexican American Cultural Center, Mexic-Arte Museum, among others. And, Austin has a wonderfully blended Latino culture and demographic—a complete Latino mosaic.

Several influential leaders and academics have committed to participate in the National Museum recruitment effort.

• The Honorable Mike Martinez, Austin Mayor Pro Tem (Chair)
• Dr. Francisco de la Teja: Texas State University (Co-Chair)
• Dr. Jose Limon: University of Texas (Co-Chair)
• Robert Hicks Navarro: Camino Real
• Andy Martinez: Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber
• Anna Sanchez: Wells Fargo Bank
• Luis Patino: Univision-Austin
• Patty Gonzales: Public Affairs Director – Hahn, Texas

The group will make a presentation to the Commission in the next few weeks. We invite you to join the cause by following Proyecto Mosaico on Facebook or visit the website at www.mosaicomuseum.com.

To read the story on the Austin American Statesman, click on the link below…

Could Austin be home to a national Latino Museum?

Mando

vp, engagement

Cultural Strategies

In honor of Cesar Chavez Day: I believe in Si Se Puede!

I believe in Si Se Puede!

I believe in Si Se Puede – Yes We Can. We all know the rallying cry; it’s part of our history, our culture – it’s what gives us the ganas to fight for our rights, opportunities and our freedoms. It’s as old as Latin American revolutions to the huelgas of the 60s and the campaigns of today.

Si Se Puede – it’s more than just a mantra – it’s an attitude – a call to action; a way to realize our dreams – it’s the ganas to fight for what we believe in – a constant reminder that we can and shall overcome. Si Se Puede is reaching out to people and getting connected, it’s helping people that need help & being helped when we need it, it’s undoing the wrong and making it right, and it’s standing up for what you believe in and standing up for others.

I believe in Si Se Puede because as a community organizer, I see it, breathe it and live it everyday. It embodies my outlook on life, it affects my everyday work and I’ve seen how inspirational it can be. I’ve seen the hope it brings to peoples’ lives; the idea that people can overcome any obstacle, no matter how difficult the situations may be, is life-changing.

And we need it, not only Latinos but all people. We have families living in poverty, managing two or more jobs and trying to put food on the table; our workers are earning non-livable wages; our kids aren’t prepared for school and dropping out; and too many people do not have access to healthcare. Yes, these are daunting problems but with our Si Se Puede attitudes, ganas y el pueblo unido, we can do it!

Si Se Puede means we can make things better for our families, neighbors and generations to come. We can reach out to our neighbors & stay connected, we can volunteer and give back, not because it’s a nice thing to do but a necessity to solving our community’s critical issues and, we can inspire others to make change.

Cesar Chavez, a migrant farm worker and community activist once said “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community. Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”

I believe in Si Se Puede

Mando Rayo