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The Hispanic Leadership Forum of Hampton Roads, Virginia Wesleyan College, and The Center for Latino Leadership at Regent University are pleased to announce the Third Annual Hispanic Leadership Summit and the First Latino Education Summit. This conference seeks to bring together scholars, educators, community representatives, policy makers, and students; the summit series spotlights the critical issues facing Latino students at each segment of the education pipeline and explores viable policy recommendations and initiatives that can increase the number of Latino students who earn undergraduate and graduate degrees. This year, the conference will focus on critical issues for the role of higher education institutions in addressing the educational needs of the growing Latino student population as they navigate through the entire postsecondary educational pipeline.

The Hispanic Leadership Summit is an annual event that connects, informs, and mobilizes established leaders throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. In linking these leaders to each other and to national experts, we hope the Summit to be a catalyst for translating ideas into actions that benefit the Hampton Roads community.

Hispanic Christmas Concert 2008

A unique combination of classical music, popular melodies, and traditional Hispanic songs. This interactive annual event is designed with the entire family in mind.

Hispanic Leadership Summit 2008

September 27th, 2008, at Virginia Wesleyan College, Boyd Dining Center, in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Norfolk, Virginia September 26-27, 2008
By Idalia Rosa-Martinez, Saborhr

“The labor market appreciates Hispanics more than the school system.” Dr. Sergio Matviuk said. Dr. Sergio Matviuk at the Second Annual Hispanic Leadership Summit noted this and other research by the 2003 PEW Hispanic Center for high drop out rates among Hispanics. “Hispanics work more hours than whites and blacks.” Dr. Sergio Matviuk shared. Dr. Matviuk ended with directives that “this is not an equal education opportunity issue only, but this is about the future of the country.”

The Hispanic Leadership Forum coordinated-event included Education panelist Dr. Rina Villar who made the case for bilingual education in public schools and Dr. Marcela Chavan-Matviuk who almost weeping cited statistics of the status of Latina women in the USA. “49% of all Latina immigrants have less than a high school education.” Dr. Marcela Chavan-Matviuk said. Additional statistics quoted high vulnerability of Latinas for depression, abuse, and AIDS according to sources like the Center for Disease Control and the New York City Health Department.   The Hispanics in Business Panel started by EEOC District Director, Carlos Villescas, spoke to equal opportunity rights available in the work place for all employees. While CEO, Catherine Giordano, encouraged the small business owner with good business policies, and Liberty Tax Service Director, Martee Pierson unfolded the efforts to make Corporate Hispanic Initiatives a reality and not “something written on paper.”  In addition, Pierson assured that Liberty Tax Franchisees are committed to processing Tax ID’s at no cost to those who need it.

Last panel titled, Immigration, included Lawyer, Hugo Valverde, who states, “His job is his calling.”  “Many employers bank on their employee’s lack of the English language to save company money they should be paying out for on-the-job accidents.”  Hugo Valverde said. Virginia Wesleyan College Assistant Professor of Political Science, Brent Heindl, honed in on how “ the immigration issue comes and goes as a political issue much like a schizophrenic reaction. “ And finally, Immigration & Customs Enforcement officer (ICE), Craig K. Raine, reminded the audience that “congress has mandated laws to be followed” and that “ ICE individuals don’t go knocking on doors without proper history of investigation.” He took questions from the audience on unwarranted raids and racial profiling against Hispanics in the state of Virginia.

Its sponsors Virginia Wesleyan College, Liberty Tax Service, GEICO, and Farm Fresh made the expert panelists event possible. For future summits see www.hispaniclf.org. 

Hispanic Leadership Summit 2007

The 2007 Summit featured panelists who introduced fresh ideas and proven programs designed to help attendees  network, expand their leadership skills and enhance the leadership performance of their organizations.  Rene Perez Lopez, professor of Political Science at Virginia Wesleyan College, Dr. Steve Emmanuel, professor of Philosophy at Virginia Wesleyan College and Christina Rebeil, a lawyer with Virginia Poverty Law Center formed the panel on immigration issues. Hispanic leaders on the education panel were Douglas Garcia, assistant secretary to the Secretary of Education and Dr. Mavel Velasco Muñoz, professor of Latin American Literature and Spanish at Virginia Wesleyan College .  Hispanics in Business was led by Christine Giordano, president/CEO of Knowledge Information Solutions Inc., and Dennis Gilbert, president of Tesoro Corp.

Meeting with the Virginia Beach Democratic Committee

Meeting with Thelma Drake:  On March 11, 2007, at the residence of Wellinthon Muñoz and Mavel Velasco, the Hispanic Leadership Forum met with Second District of Virginia, Congresswoman Thelma Drake.  

Virginia Beach Police Department Gang Forum