Raul HInojosa and Juan Contreras
Juan C. Contreras, who owns El Padrino restaurant with his father, received the “man of the year” award from LULAC Council 4871 Dallas Rainbow Council.
Contreras was chosen because of his volunteerism and his work to expand membership in the council.
The council’s president, Raul Hinojosa writes this about Contreras:
Juan is … very active with the businesses and residents of Bishop Arts District and Jefferson. Juan has played a key role in helping our council expand our work beyond Oak Lawn to include Oak Cliff. He has worked as an adviser to our LULAC All Stars Youth Council. Most significantly, he played a great role in helping us plan for our LGBT Pride Week activities including securing funding for us to have a float in the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade in September. This year, we had the best and largest parade entry we have ever had. Juan is passionate about advocating for the LGBT and Latino community and he has contributed without hesitation on so many projects this year.
Melinda Rios of Cockrell Hill is the council’s woman of the year. Here’s what Hinojosa says about her:
Melinda is a board member at large for Council 4871 Dallas Rainbow Council. She is a teacher with Irving ISD. Melinda has been a strong advocate in Cockrell Hill including working with the City Council to bring the monument of Fallen Immigrant to the city. She also played a key role in our school supply drive and our LGBT Social Justice Summit in September. Melinda is a straight ally to our council and is passionate about helping the community.
