Looking back…
Now that we’re in the much anticipated election year of 2012, we Latinos living in and around Louisville, Kentucky can look back at what has happened to us in our recent past that has affected our community, so that we might be better prepared to face our present and what’s more—our future.
What’s happened to our leaders?
Leadership in our community and those that have championed our cause who have stood up for justice, diversity and compassion for Latinos and people of color in general have systematically disappeared. And, by and large, they have not been replaced.
Here are some examples of what I am talking about:
Joe Reagan.
As CEO of the Greater Louisville Inc. Metro Chamber of Commerce, Joe made it possible for Latino businesses to become a strong affiliate of the chamber when we helped form the Hispanic Latino Business Council in 2006. Now he’s in St. Louis where there are many more Latinos he can help, but who will replace him here? And, will they be as inclusive as Joe?
Marilyn Cordova and Francisco Abril.
Still pictured on www.greaterlouisville.com/hlbc (the Hispanic Latino Business Council’s web site) as our young Latino leaders who helped both myself and Adam Ruiz (the HLBC co-founders) organize the HLBC executive committee—yet now have gone on to other cities—where are the young Latino leaders who will replace Marilyn and Francisco?
Adam Ruiz.
Adam started out at the Centro Latino in Shelbyville, Kentucky and then went on to become the Chief of Staff at Citizens Union Bank. He is not only one of the co-founders of the HLBC but he also created “Nuestro Banco” (our area’s first and only bank dedicated exclusively to the Latino population right her on Preston Highway). Now Nuestro Banco is closed and Adam is no longer with Citizens Union Bank. After setting milestone after milestone in our Latino community, we don’t know what happened and where Adam is today.
Margarita Green and Xiomara Bussio.
Our most recent hosts of the popular “Yo Soy Louisville” Spanish TV Program on CW TV. Margarita left town and the show is running its re-runs while Xiomara has started her own Bistro Cafe: ZiaLaLa in Middletown, Kentucky. Margarita had been with the longstanding Spanish publication, Hoy En Las Americas in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
The Spanish Media.
Spanish media that has ceased to exist include: Hoy En Las Americas, Amigos in Louisville TV Program, LaBuena Radio, La Preferida Radio and La Caliente Radio as well as Latinos Monthly Magazine.
Notable champions of diversity that have been “let go” recently are:
Debbie Mettling, Director of Diversity (DiverseWorks) at MSD.
Ron Green, Director of Diversity at the Louisville Water Company.
Deborah Smith, Diversity Director at Jewish Hospital.
Nichelle Anthony, Director of Diversity for the Kentucky Lottery.
Antia Fields, Diversity Director for Horseshoe Casino.
On a broader scale, we lost some heavyweight champions for diversity since 2001:
Reverend Vernon Robertson.
Father Tom Smith.
Reverend Louis Coleman.
Lenny Lyles.
These were leaders who championed our cause for many years and established programs that helped us minorities. They are all gone and have not been replaced.
As I recall spending time with great champions like Coleman and Lyles I remember trying to teach both of them the little Spanish saying that more than ever has a lot of meaning today—
Si se puede!
Ben Ruiz
Board Member, Adelante Hispanic Achievers
Co-Founder of GLI’s Hispanic Latino Business Council
Co-Founder of La Camara at Wesley House Community Services
