Every year the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) hosts a national conference in Chicago to offer incentive and motivation to Hispanic and Latinx youth. This conference has become the premier Hispanic leadership conference of the nation providing opportunities in networking between other young leaders and pre-professionals as well as meet recruiters, national policy-makers, and future employers. The La Unida executive board and one dedicated member got the opportunity to attend this year’s 36th annual conference this past February. Below you will read their reflection on the experience.

(Daisy Aguilera, Secretary) Unsure of what to expect, the USHLI 2018 conference proved to be motivational, inspirational, and moving to bring more programs to La Unida’s program list. Being surrounded by a very strong sense of Hispanic pride made me feel the refreshing feeling of motivation very much needed. La Unida’s executive group was given a very large range of panels and workshops which addressed issues such as: Being a First-Generation Student and Surviving Upper-Level Education, Financial Aid workshops, Latinas for Social Justice, Writing Workshops alongside other motivational workshops. Social Justice and activist speakers such as Dolores Huerta, City Clerk of Chicago Anna Valencia, and the Hispanic Hero Award winner and Civil Rights Activist, Sylvia Mendez gave such emotional and heavy encouragement to the younger generation students all around the nation. There was a range of great ideas provided and La Unida hopes to implement these into our upcoming events

(Jairo Javier, President) I have gotten the benefit of attending the USHLI conference for my third consecutive year and it always lives up to the excitement of my expectations. This year’s theme was titled “Generations of Courage, Preserve & Progress”. The conference brings many students from forty states and of various backgrounds, genders, sexualities, and educational backgrounds. The purpose of the conference is to develop and strengthen leadership skills and gain valuable insight on effective social justice programming. I enjoy attending the individual workshops as they focus on separate interests that are current to our time and economic environment. For example, two of the breakout sessions I attended were on the importance on personal branding for future professional success, and how we are culturally grounded for leadership. These forums and workshops not only direct us on how to improve our individual groups, but also how to create more cohesive coalitions and work on personal growth. Some of the discussion and team building techniques I learned will be used for our upcoming programs for the Coalition Firepit Confessional and the Cesar Chavez Day of Reflection. Additionally, one of the most inspirational sections of the entire conference is being able to listen to current leaders in the fields of technology, art, politics, social welfare, economics, and public relations.

(Jessica Reyes, Vice-President) Being a part of La Unida is amazing but having the opportunity to go to USHLI was more than I ever thought I would be able to do. USHLI not only inspired me to do greater things within Ripon, but taught me that we have a voice and we should stand up for what we believe in, spread awareness of La Unida, and not be afraid to show who we are. The conference influence me to do more and be more for my Latino/Latina culture. It empowered me every step along the way that our culture is amazing and we have to create a support system to support one another. Speakers like Cindy Nava, Denice Frohman, Dolores Huerta, Hon. Antonia Novello, Hon. Jesus G. Garcia, Sylvia Mendez and many more taught me more about how to care and love my culture better than anyone ever had. USHLI was a very encouraging and impactful conference that I hope more students will continue to go to.      

(Oscar Arzate, member) I had a great experience at USHLI. I found it very inspirational seeing a diverse set of leaders who came and motivated us to continue to succeed. I was able to meet and connect with a lot of people there, with fun and unique stories. There were a lot of speeches that promoted civic dialogue and many workshops that helped those improve a variety of different skills. It also showed the importance of diversity and made me want to be more engaged with diversity clubs in Ripon. Overall it was a well informed and a great conference to attend.

(Alisha Harvat, Community Service Chair) Two nights in the Sheraton in Chicago sounds like a dream for some people; touring the city, making memories, and maybe even meeting new people. La Unida’s stay in Chicago, however, was so much more valuable than simply a fun weekend. We were instead there to celebrate and reflect on Hispanic culture. When we arrived on Friday morning, I could immediately see that it was going to be an experience unlike anything in my past. There were so many inspiring speakers, including Sylvia Mendez, Hon. Antonia C. Novello, and Dolores Huerta. These speakers and many others worked to successfully unite hundreds of individuals from many different walks of life into one entity, ready to fight for equality in the workplace, in education, and in their everyday walks of life. As we drove away from the city with new knowledge and enforced beliefs, all I could think was that I was already looking forward to next year’s conference.

(Pictured: La Unida posing with 2011 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, Sylvia Mendez)