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The Oak Cliff-based nonprofit The Concilio — whose mission involves advancing Latino equity — is hosting a week-long Power of Latinos DFW Summit this week, which includes an event Thursday in the Lake Highlands vicinity. The Creating Equity Seminar — featuring local and national experts discussing the state of North Texas Latinos’ health, wealth and education — takes place from 8:30 a.m.-noon at Texas A &M Commerce Dallas, 8750 N Central Expy in the 75231 (in its fairly new building across the way from NorthPark Center).
According to the organizers, “Latinos are the largest ethnic group in Dallas County and contribute in meaningful ways to our community and regional economy, yet they continue to face persistent inequities.”
The event is part of an effort by The Concilio to “dismantle these and create greater understanding.”
The organizers point out that 40.8% of Dallas is Latino, based on the U.S. Census. They say 45% of Latinos are uninsured; Dallas/Fort Worth Hispanic households earned $41.2 billion in one year; and less than 12% of Latinos have a college degree compared to 39.4% of white Dallasites.
The presenters — including Liz Cedillo-Pereira, City of Dallas assistant city manager; Kenneth P. Gonzalez, president of Mountain View College; Alejandro Arroliga, chief medical officer, Baylor Scott & White Health and Eugenia Vivanco Duran, community impact and funding director at Raza Development Fund — will look at and discuss those stats at Thursday’s event.
The Concilio, with headquarters on Fort Worth Avenue in 75208, has programming that includes financial coaching, crisis intervention, and cultural competency training and education. Most recently, The Concilio has addressed the impact of COVID-19 on the Latino community, according to the nonprofit’s literature.
