Summit Agenda

Thursday, September 2

12:00 p.m. EST

Opening

12:05 p.m. EST

National Welcome

Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President

12:10 p.m. EST

Opening Remarks

Sindy Benavides, LULAC National CEO

12:15 p.m. EST

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.

1:45 p.m. EST

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.

2:40 p.m. EST

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

3:35 p.m. EST

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.

4:25 p.m. EST

Closing Remarks by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, First Latina Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

Friday, September 3

12:00 p.m. EST

Welcome

12:10 p.m. EST

National Stage-21st Century Criminal Justice System & the Criminalization of Latinos (Part 2)

1:00 p.m. EST

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.

2:30 p.m. EST

Student Higher Education Debt is a Social Justice Issue

2:50 p.m. EST

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 Latinx 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 Higher Education Task Force Committee Workshop where we will be delving deeper into these topics and evaluating their significance and impact.

3:25 p.m. EST

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

4:25 p.m. EST

Highlight-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 hearing from 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.

4:35 p.m. EST

Highlight-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.

5:25 p.m. EST

Cafecito-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.

6:10 p.m. EST

Spotlight-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

Saturday, September 4

11:35 a.m. EST

LULAC: 92 Years of Advancement

As the oldest and largest Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC has brought about change in the lives of Latinos all over the nation for over 92 years. As we continue to grow, it is essential that we lead in our communities, states and nation in advancing the rights of Hispanics for the betterment of the community. During this interactive session, LULAC National Presidents speak about their learned experiences and why the work of our members is critical today to continue to advance our mission

12:55 p.m. EST

Living Tobacco Free: Be a Part of the Change!

Tobacco has had a long history of causing harm to communities of color and our youth. With clever advertising tactics and attractive styles and flavors, the tobacco industry has managed to rebrand the cigarette for the 21st century. This workshop will discuss the harmful impact of tobacco, the history of regulating the industry, and how to advocate for further restrictions.

2:00 p.m. EST

Impact Charla: Building a Movement on Social Media

In today’s rapidly changing social media landscape, building a movement can seem like quite the daunting task. However, it is not impossible. In fact, social media presents a unique opportunity to reach millions of people who are interested in understanding the world and making a difference. As shown by #metoo and BLM, movements that start online can have a lasting impact on the “real” world with far-reaching consequences that alter the way we think about topics such as race and gender. This charla with industry leaders will help you learn about these influential platforms to build relevant movements.

3:10 p.m EST

Introduction of Artists, Stars & Transforming American Culture to Heal our Nation’s Racial and Economic Divide

Over 50 years ago, the Kerner Commission was convened by President Lyndon Johnson after protests and rebellions in over 150 American cities in the nineteen sixties. The Commission concluded that the cause of the disorders was “white racism.” In the words of the Commission, “It is time to make good the promises of American democracy to all citizens – urban and rural, white and black, Spanish surname, American Indian and every minority group.” America has still not made good the promise of democracy and, in many ways, has gone backwards when it comes to racial injustice, economic inequality and poverty. Over those 50 years we have assembled considerable evidence on what works – yet we have not implemented all of those policies because we still don't have what the Kerner Commission called “new will” from the American public. How can celebrities and social media influencers use their growing power to help create that new will to implement the change we need to heal our nation