About Us

LLEAD

The Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development (LLEAD) is a Michigan 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization founded by concerned Latino and Latina community members to address concerns of advocacy, civic engagement and awareness of issues relevant in Latinx communities in the state.  In November 2013, Latinx leaders from Holland, Lansing and Saginaw came together and began discussions to create a statewide Latino organization.  LLEAD’s goals for Latina/o advocacy and awareness-building identified the following needs:
  • Access to health services
  • Bias incidents*
  • Census, 2020
  • Immigration
  • Post-secondary degree retention rates
  • School drop-out rate among youth in K-12
  • School-to-prison pipeline rate
  • Teenage pregnancy rates
  • Unemployment
  • Unfair employment practices
  • Unlawful discrimination

The creation of a state-wide Board of Directors enabled LLEAD to engage Latinx leaders from other parts of the state to help identify issues in other communities with Latinx populations. State Board members also serve to gauge their community’s interest in developing their local LLEAD chapters

The organization, guided by Bylaws, established the creation of local Chapters (Holland, Saginaw, Lansing) including High School Chapters and College Chapters.

MISSION
 

LLEAD brings together individuals (and other Latinx organizations) in Michigan to exchange ideas and move unified solutions forward to resolve civil and human rights, health, housing, education and employment disparities at the local and state level.
 
LLEADs mission is to bring together individuals and other (Latinx) organizations in Michigan Latinx communities to exchange ideas on common issues to move unified solutions forward in resolving challenges confronted on the local, state and national levels.  LLEAD provides a vehicle for local communities to design, develop and advocate for solutions to overcome societ challenges in coordination with and support by State LLEAD in the areas of:
  • Civil and human rights
  • Health disparities
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Economic 
  • Housing
  • Immigrant rights
  • Civic engagement

PURPOSE
 

The purpose for LLEAD is to advocate for Latinx resident and immigrant communities in the state of Michigan providing a safe, discrimination and bias-free environment in health, education, employment and housing.  It is a non-partisan organization whose purpose includes informing and educating Michigan citizens and public servants alike of the rights and responsibilities of their neighbors and constituents.

*The purpose of LLEAD Chapters are to provide the vehicle whereby local communities can coordinate, design, develop and advocate for the creation of solutions to overcome their societal challenges in the areas of: civil and human rights, health disparities, education, employment, economic, housing, immigrant rights, and civic engagement in conjunction with support of the State Board of Directors of LLEAD.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED
 

There are various ways to get involved with LLEAD.  Ask about starting a chapter in your community, attend a Crisis Response Training, volunteer at chapter or state events or support the important work with your donation.  If you are ready to join, become a LLEAD member here. 

 

LLEAD LEADERSHIP 2019-2021

State Board of Directors:

       Alberto Flores, President  (State)                             Raymond Bobby DeLeon (Saginaw)          Juan Marinez (Okemos)  
​       Danny Soza III, Vice-President (Saginaw)                Esther Fifelski (Fennville)                         Diana Rivera (Okemos)
       Leroy Hernandez, Treasurer (Holland)                    Gilberto Guevara (Saginaw)                         
       Laura Gonzales, Secretary (Central Michigan)       Guillermo Z. Lopez (Lansing)
 
*LLEAD Michigan thanks James Moreno, State Board member from Central Michigan, for his years of service to the board and community.
                                             
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LLEAD Inaugural Committee - 2013

LLEAD Inaugural Committee, 2013

 
 
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LLEAD is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501c(3). 

Donors can deduct contributions to LLEAD under IRC Section 170.

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