Featured Speaker

Maria Cardona

Maria is currently a CNN and CNN en Español political contributor. She is regarded as one of the nation’s top 100 most influential Latinos
Domingo Garcia

Domingo Garcia

LULAC National President

The COVID-19 pandemic is hitting the Latino community harder than any other group in our country. Again, Jose y Maria are the ones who are facing the dangers of each day the same way our parents and grandparents did. They don’t complain and they can’t stop. They are the essential breadwinners in their family and if they don’t go to work, they don’t eat and won’t have a roof over their heads.

This is the reality facing millions in our communities as 35% of all the coronavirus infections are Latinos and too many of those are dying, young, and old alike.  LULAC is fighting hard to help protect Latino workers and to improve access to health care for our people.

Sindy Benavides

Message from our CEO

My warmest thank you for joining us in the middle of a pandemic when nothing feels or seems normal. With the theme, All for One & One for All: United in Action to Transform America, the LULAC Virtual Summit is bringing together top leaders in business, government, and civic sectors to discuss the issues affecting Latinos for a high-impact event reaching a vast and diverse audience.

We will discuss key issues including how diversity, equity & inclusion must include Latinos, contributions of Latinos in our military and long history of safeguarding our democracy, protecting our voting rights, establishing a long term solution to accessing broadband, the challenges facing ...

Sindy Benavides

Speakers

Cory Booker

United States Senator from New Jersey

Sec. Carlos Del Toro

U.S. Department of the Navy

Sec. Xavier Becerra

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Domingo Garcia

President of LULAC

Session Highlights

  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • STEM & Health
  • Climate Action
  • Criminal Justice I
  • Criminal Justice II
  • Voter Suppression
  • Higher Education
  • Latinos in Education
  • Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Latinos in the Military
  • Latino Patriots
  • Technology & Broadband
  • Health Access & Equity
Civil Rights & Equity

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Thursday, September 2
12:15 PM ET National Stage
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Why Latina Representation Matters

We are not a monolith! Latinas have embodied diversity of thought, actions, and interpersonal exchanges and continue to show great strength alongside our non-Latina peers. Our experiences as women of color help strengthen our companies when we are employed in executive and senior management echelons. Representation matters, but we want more: equal pay for equal work in all fields; in the office, in the state house, and in the White House. Learn more about the achievements and experiences of Latinas at work in this relevant panel discussion.

STEM & Health

STEM and Health

STEM and Health

Thursday, September 2
1:45 PM ET Spotlight
Latino Representation in STEM & Health Fields

Lead, Inspire, Mentor -- Latinxs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are leading the way for the next generation of scientists who will cure cancer, innovate technological integrations, discover and engineer with sustainability in mind, and solve the challenging problems of tomorrow. Let's join efforts to inspire and mentor more Latinxs to accelerate representation in the STEM and health professions.

Climate Action

Climate Action

Climate Action

Thursday, September 2
2:40 PM ET Cafecito
Cafecito-Building Back Better: Time for Climate Action

The impacts of climate change continue to harm, displace, and create instability in our communities and the time for action is now. As we move forward into a new era after COVID-19, how can governments, businesses and community leaders build resilient and sustainable communities. What is the current situation of the global fight against climate change and the needed action to achieve a net zero economy.Join in on the conversation where will discuss initiatives, bills, and solutions on how to ensure that the Latino community is not left behind. Taking action on climate change now will give us the opportunity to build a better future for our communities and environment! Join us in the Building Back Better: Time for Climate Action panel as a part of our Virtual Summit along with young activists, business leaders, and elected officials.

Criminal Justice Part 1

Criminal Justice Part 1

Thursday, September 2
3:35 PM ET National Stage
21st Century Criminal Justice System & the Criminalization of Latinos (Part 1)

Stop the over-criminalization and over-incarceration of Latinos! Latinxs represent 18.5 percent of the US population but comprise nearly 36 percent of incarcerated individuals. As of 2021, one in six (1 in 6) Latino men born in 2000/2001 (a 20-year old in 2021) have a lifetime likelihood of imprisonment. At every level, Latinxs are over-represented. This institutional demolition of our community needs to be reformed now! Learn more about how the laws in the criminal justice system are disproportionately applied to our community and what LULAC can do to reverse this troubling trend.

Criminal Justice Part 2

Criminal Justice Part 2

Friday, September 3
12:10 PM ET National Stage
21st Century Criminal Justice System & the Criminalization of Latinos (Part 2)

Stop the over-criminalization and over-incarceration of Latinos! Latinxs represent 18.5 percent of the US population but comprise nearly 36 percent of incarcerated individuals. As of 2021, one in six (1 in 6) Latino men born in 2000/2001 (a 20-year old in 2021) have a lifetime likelihood of imprisonment. At every level, Latinxs are over-represented. This institutional demolition of our community needs to be reformed now! Learn more about how the laws in the criminal justice system are disproportionately applied to our community and what LULAC can do to reverse this troubling trend.

Voter Suppression

Voter Suppression

Voter Suppression

Friday, September 3
1:00 PM ET National Stage
Race in America's Wave of Voter Suppression

As new voting laws across the United States are being legislated, we are starting to see the impact it will make regarding voting suppression that will impact Latino communities throughout the nation. Ten states have already passed restrictive voting laws and another 17 states are in the process of being passed into law. Not only will this impact Latinos, but it will also affect other minority groups that have already been affected by previous voting laws that have caused a suppression in voting turnout. It is our duty to make sure that all Latinos and other minority groups across this country make sure that every person's voice is heard by protecting our voting rights that have been threatened by these recent voting laws.

Education

Higher Education

Higher Education

Friday, September 3
2:30 PM ET Highlight
Student Higher Education Debt is a Social Justice Issue

Education Committee

Education Committee

Erasing Latinos in Education

Friday, September 3
2:50 PM ET Highlight
Erasing Latinos in Education

The American education system has progressed greatly through the decades becoming more inclusive in its teaching as time has gone on. However, there are still many existing barriers for minority students and the new debate over whether or not Critical Race Theory should be taught in schools is threatening to strengthen these barriers and destroy the progress that has been made in the education system. Banning Critical Race Theory from schools will impact students of color the most, worsening their already underrepresented and underserved educational experience. Students, especially Latino students, have already been negatively impacted by the education system’s move to a remote learning environment during the pandemic. As preparations are being made to move back to in-classroom learning, conversations about education should be revolving around the transition, not about removing a vital part of education. Join us in the conversation of Erasing Latinos in Education where we will be delving deeper into these topics and evaluating their significance and impact.

Infrastructure and Innovation

Infrastructure and Innovation

Infrastructure and Innovation

Friday, September 3
3:25 PM ET Spotlight
Infrastructure & Innovation: Shaping Future of Work & the US Economy

The era of new digital advancements in the technology sector experienced an exponential growth in innovative and “smart” technology in our day-to-day lives and in the workplace. With the revolution of artificial intelligence, it is essential to consider the coming changes in the workplace that will require digital literacy and a broader understanding of technology. This panel will converse on the ways corporations and organizations are offering to advance digital literacy in the workplace as well as in the community and the trends that come with this new digital era. Moreover, panelists will address the impact artificial intelligence and digital advancements have on the United States economy.

Latinos in the Military

Latinos in the Military

Latinos in the Military

Friday, September 3
4:25 PM ET Distinguished Service of Latinos in the Military & Military Advancements in Mental Health - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro

Latinos are the fastest-growing population in the military and continue to make significant contributions to the defense of the United States. LULAC looks forward to conversing with Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro as we unpack stellar accomplishments made by Latinos in service as well as significant milestones in expanding mental health resources for veterans and those in service. Mental health advocacy for people in the military has been making strides this year as LULAC works with the Capitol to ignite change and show that people who serve our country are valued while celebrating the growth of Latinos in service.

Latino Patriots

Latino Patriots

Latino Patriots

Friday, September 3
4:35 PM ET Latino Patriots: Latinos Serving our Country through Military Service

Latino women and men have a long and proud history of distinguished service to our country. However, the service of our military members is often overlooked and marred with tragedy. As the rate of Latinos enlisting in our armed services continues to grow, we must ensure our service members are safe and treated with the respect they deserve. This conversation will interrogate these tough issues as well as inform advocates of policy solutions and ways they can give back to our Latino veterans and service members.

Technology & Broadband

Technology & Broadband

Technology & Broadband

Friday, September 3
5:25 PM ET Access: Technology & Broadband

Latinx communities face the insecurity of not having internet access or a stable internet connection, which puts them at a disadvantage in the age of technology. Since most work, school, and social gatherings have now shifted to take place virtually due to the pandemic, it has revealed the disparities of access to the internet by Latinxs. In increasing broadband access and making it affordable, it would impact Latinxs on their overall success and help them gain more opportunities. Advancing in technology and its increased usage also means growing security threats, such as malware and spam, that needs to be addressed by having cybersecurity fight these threats.

Health Access

Health Access and Equity

Health Access and Equity

Friday, September 3
6:10 PM ET Talking about Health Access & Equity for Latinos and Communities of Color with Secretary Xavier Becerra

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the social inequities that have disproportionately affected Latinos and communities of color for decades. With the recent news of a COVID-19 Delta variant and vaccine hesitancy due to misinformation and distrust, it is critical to progress the conversation on COVID-19 vaccine safety and address the myths circulating marginalized communities preventing them from accessing and receiving a vaccine. This panel examines the overall safety and efficacy of vaccines with different types of variants, including the new COVID-19 Delta variant, while addressing the ongoing challenges to get shots in arms. During this conversation, we also explore the different strategies and ways to increase vaccinations and decrease vaccine hesitancy in historically excluded communities.