VACOLAO 2024 Latino Summit

A HEARTFELT THANK YOU to speakers and guests alike who helped make our 2024 Latino Summit a success! Held on Sunday, September 22, from 8:30 – 3:30 at George Mason University, our goal was to bring together Latino activists and leaders from around Virginia for a day filled with insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and inspiring speakers. (See our pictures below!)

The morning kicked off with a tasty breakfast and welcoming messages from VACOLAO Chair Beatriz Amberman, GMU President Gregory Washington, and Gaston Araoz for our sponsor Dominion Energy.

Our first panel tackled Latino Civic Engagement with the following speakers and topics:

Recent Federal Immigration Actions – Laura Vazquez, Director, Immigrant Integration, UnidosUS
Important Virginia Legislation Benefiting the Latino Community – State Delegate Fernando “Marty” Martinez
Importance of Latino Voices in the Legislative Process – Paul Berry, 2024 VACOLAO Lobbyist

Moderator: Beatriz Amberman, VACOLAO Chair

Our second panel discussed Health and the Latino Community In Virginia:

The Role of Community Health Workers and Efforts to Expand Access – Shanteny Jackson, Executive Director, Virginia Community Health Worker Association (VACHWA):
Impacts of Medicaid Unwinding and Efforts to Expand Health Coverage for Children Regardless of Immigration Status – Emily Moore, Senior Policy Analyst, Voices for Virginia’s Children
The State of Oral Health Access in Virginia—Particularly for Latinos – Ben Barber, Policy Director, Virginia Health Catalyst

Moderator: Freddy Mejia, Policy Director, The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis

After each panel, guests had the opportunity to ask many insightful questions.

After a scrumptious box lunch, our special keynote speaker Senator Mark Warner arrived, greeting guests and posing for pictures. He delivered remarks touching on the importance of Latinos in Virginia and recent legislations, and also answered questions from the audience.

After Senator Warner departed, our third panel launched on the topic of The World of Latino Business in Virginia:

Business Opportunities for Latinos – Michel Zajur, President/CEO, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
How to Start Your Own Business – Andres Tobar, Executive Director, Shirlington Employment and Education Center
Financing and Resources for Your Business – David Incapie, Small Business Administration

Moderator: Michel Zajur, President/CEO, Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

For our closing activity, participants shared their ideas through reflection questions answered on giant posters. Participants then used stickers to mark the ideas that most resonated with them. We will use these insights to create further VACOLAO events for the community.

All in all, this was an exciting day! We had hoped to create the opportunity to connect with Latino leaders, advocates, and allies from around the state, uniting to empower and uplift our Latino community in Virginia and beyond.

Many thanks to our generous sponsors: