Where were you born and raised?
Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.
What is your family heritage?
Mexican-American.
What is your occupation?
President/CEO of the Mattie Rhodes Center.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Hispanic/Latinx community?
Yes, my entire professional career has been spend serving the Hispanic community by working for Guadalupe Centers, Inc.; Hispanic Economic Development Corporation and the Mattie Rhodes Center.
How do you connect with your Hispanic/Latinx culture?
Through my work; as a volunteer for my Church, Sacred Heart-Guadalupe as finance council member and as a donor to the Hispanic Development Fund.
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Playing sports.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
A time to reflect on those individuals and/or events in our history, the present and future that have and will have a positive impact on our Hispanic population.
In your opinion, what is the most important issue facing the Hispanic/Latinx community?
Using our "voices." The Hispanic population is so unique and diverse in terms of the Spanish language and various cultural norms and history for Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, South Americans, etc. We are not monolithic but have an opportunity to be engaged and voice what is important to each of our cultures.
