Latinos will soon be a majority in many cities across the U.S., yet the numbers of Latino leaders continue to lag across sectors as compared with other groups. This inequitable distribution of power acts to limit the voice and presence of Latinos in decision making.
The group of authors in this section focus on the importance of investment in Latino leadership, and the obstacles that limited language access presents in moving toward racial equity for immigrant families. New policies to advance language access, bilingual staff provision, and plans for spaces to celebrate Latino history and culture emerge as actions to facilitate more equitable cities.
The Dream and Reality of an Afro-Latina
Shanteny A. Jackson
The Case for Meaningful Language Access
Tanya M. González
“Si, yo Hablo Español”
Gabriela Telepman
1. Can you identify 2-3 ways that your community is working toward the preservation, development and promotion of Latino culture? What about Afro-Latino's? What is one way that this can be improved in your community?
2. In her essay, Tanya González states that communities should have a plan for immigrant integration as a guide for immigrants to share their cultures, and integrate and contribute to society. What considerations do you think might facilitate this two-way process of integration in your community?
3. Think of an organization you are part of or work for, what are 1-2 ways for that organization to institutionalize linguistically and culturally accessible services?
Latinos find job choices are both limited and limiting
Nancy Rivera, The Los Angeles Times (August 7, 1983)
Afro-Latino: A deeply rooted identity among U.S. Hispanics
Gustavo López and Ana Gonzalez-Barrera, Pew Research Center (March 1, 2016)
Citizenship and Immigration: Multiculturalism, Assimilation, and Challenges to the Nation-State
Irene Bloemraad, Anna Korteweg, and Gökçe Yurdakul (April 3, 2008)
Foreign-born population has increased rapidly in Virginia
Laura Kebede, Richmond Times-Dispatch (March 5, 2014)
Language Access Assessment and Planning Tool for Federally Conducted and Federally Assisted Programs
JFederal Coordination and Compliance Section Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice (May 2011)
Discussion Guide - Lifting Up Latino Leadership and Language Access (pdf)
DownloadThe Richmond Racial Equity Essays launched in 2021 with the goal of promoting thought leadership and public dialogue toward advancing racial equity in Richmond, Virginia, but also as a multi-media model for other cities grappling...
Planning for Inclusive Communities
Urban planning concerns itself with the design and uses of space (or land) that focus on the physical form, economic functions, and social impacts of the built and natural environments in cities, towns and places in our communities. Although...
Building Sustainable and Affordable Housing
Housing is a basic need around which our health and stability is built, our neighborhoods are centered and housing (through homeownership) is a cornerstone for wealth building. Thus access to...
Ensuring Education Equity
The quality of one’s education has a significant impact on both their access to opportunity and life outcomes. Yet, many Black and Brown children lack the access to a quality education within....
Advancing Economic Empowerment
The link between capitalism and systemic racism has been with us even before the founding of the United States, as using people for profit is one of our country’s original sins. The compounding...
Shifting Power and Reimagining Partnerships
Central among our ongoing reckoning with racial justice is the question of how power is shifted and shared through partnerships. Historically marginalized communities...
Lifting Up Latino Leadership and Language Access
Latinos will soon be a majority in many cities across the U.S., yet the numbers of Latino leaders continue to lag across sectors as compared with other groups. This inequitable distribution of power...
Creating Community, Healing, and Justice
In the journey to dismantle structures of white supremacy there must be attention paid to community rebuilding and healing. Trauma from racism has negatively impacted Black and Brown people, and...
Building a Healthy Environment
Most U.S. localities are legally tasked to make decisions that protect the health, safety and general welfare of its inhabitants. While environmental health should be provided for all populations, communities...
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