By: Amanda Fernandez

The Latino community is diverse. We are a community of Mexicans, Cubans, Dominicans, Salvadorians, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Guatemalans and so many more who have rich histories, traditions, and cultures. There is a thread that also binds our Latino community, it’s our commitment to nuestra gente — our families and our communities. Throughout our history, our communities have overcome adversity and risen as a collective time and time again.

Latinos for Education is dedicated to lifting the voices and celebrating the impact of Latino leaders in education who empower the next generation to achieve their aspirations. Latino educators do more than teach. They go above and beyond what is required of them in their daily jobs to support and build communities. Now more than ever as COVID-19 takes its toll on our Latino students and families across the country, we need to support our leaders on the front lines of providing educational and emotional support to Latino students.

On this Giving Tuesday, which coincidentally also marks “Cinco de Mayo,” I encourage us all to come together as our Mexican brother and sisters once did.  It was con ganas that they claimed an unexpected victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 – the true origin of this day. It is with those same ganas that we can overcome our present-day adversity.

We’ve heard from many Latino educators across our network who have lost their job, are the primary financial provider in their family, or have undocumented family members impacted by COVID-19 but unable to access federal aid. For that reason, Latinos for Education launched the Con Ganas Emergency Relief Fund to financially support Latino educators deeply impacted by COVID-19.

Our community and supporters have already stepped up in a big way and I hope today on #GivingTuesdayNow you will join them in investing in our educators and children by making a contribution to the Con Ganas Emergency Relief Fund.

Please consider making a donation HERE.

About Amanda Fernandez
Amanda Fernandez is the CEO and co-founder of Latinos for Education, the first Latino-founded and led national organization dedicated to creating leadership pathways for emerging Latino education leaders and diversifying education nonprofit boards. She is a Trustee of the Board with the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Roxbury Community College. El Planeta has twice named her one of the 100 most influential Hispanics in Massachusetts and she is a Senior Fellow at FutureEd. Amanda has over 25 years of experience in the areas of recruiting, diversity, organization development, change management, strategic planning, and Latino community relations.