|
|
|
Greetings!
The scholar and political theorist, John Schaar said, "The future is not some place we are going, but one we are creating. The paths are not to be found, but made. And the activity of making them changes both the maker and their destination."
The HNBF has the distinct privilege of shaping the paths of Latino youth and young adults across our nation each year through our diversity pipeline programs. We continue to be "changed" by this work and transformed by the stories of hope and aspirations for a better future. We believe that education is about freedom--the freedom of choice. Choices are more than simply being presented with options; they are the composition of our lives.
Please consider supporting the HNBF this year and give the gift of choice to our Latino youth. We rely on the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and partners to deliver our programs. If you would like to support the work of the HNBF please contact me at 202.496.7206 or mprego@hnbf.org to discuss the unique opportunities we have available to match your interests.
Mayda Prego
President, Board of Directors
|
|
|
|
|
HNBF 2010: A Year in Review
|
 | | 2010 HNBF Board of Directors: Tami Azorsky, Brigida Benitez, Mayda Prego, Jessica Fredrickson, Armando Castro, Paul Zavala, Marlon Paz, and Richard Lorenzo Not pictured: Carlos Singh |
By most public accounts, 2010 was a tumultuous year for our nation. Fortunately, the HNBF enjoyed a productive and impactful year. We are grateful to our many supporters who helped shape a year filled with promise and acknowledgement of the important contributions made by Latino leaders in the legal and education fields. We offer the following highlights to spotlight, not only our work, but the work of others making a difference in our communities.
Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
- Celebrated our seventh year of shaping the next generation of Latino leaders with our high school program
- Received hundreds of applications from across the nation for 25 slots
- Students received SAT/ACT prep resources from Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions valued at over $800 each
- Inspiring tours of the Supreme Court, Department of State, Pentagon, National Archives, and U.S. Capitol and the unforgettable Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall
- Our Moot Court Competition was presided over by federal judges, Honorable Ricardo Urbina and the Honorable Diane Brenneman
Project Access
- Provided over $15,000 in Bar Review stipends to L3 students
- Over 60 students and 14 mentors participated in the Project Access program at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami
Annual Awards Dinner
- Keynote address delivered by Honorable Juan Sepúlveda, Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
- HNBF Lifetime Leadership Award presented to the Honorable Cruz Reynoso, Boochever and Bird Chair for the Study and Teaching of Freedom and Equality Professor of Law at UC Davis School of Law; former associate justice of the California Supreme Court; recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- HNBF Academic Leadership Award presented to Natalie M. Gomez-Velez, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor, CUNY Law School
- HNBF Judicial Leadership Award presented to Honorable Vanessa Ruiz, Associate Judge for the D.C. Court of Appeals
- Our 2010 Visionary Corporate Partner recognition awarded to Walmart
2010 Mission Impact Partnerships
Through our many partnerships, the HNBF is able to have an even greater reach and impact. Here are just a few key programs made possible through partnerships with the HNBF:
- Securities Enforcement Course with FIU College of Law in Miami.
- Latino Leadership Initiative with Harvard Kennedy School
When we reflect upon the incredible generosity of our donors, sponsors, volunteers, board members, and friends, we are reminded of Wilfred A. Peterson's wisdom, "When we become more fully aware that our success is due in large measure to the loyalty, helpfulness, and encouragement we have received from others, our desire grows to pass on similar gifts. Gratitude spurs us on to prove ourselves worthy of what others have done for us. The spirit of gratitude is a powerful energizer." Here's to an even greater gratitude-filled 2011!
|
|
HNBF Future Latino Leaders Law Camp
Application Now Available Online
| |
It's that time of year again--Future Latino Leaders Law Camp application season. Last year, we received hundreds of applications for 25 slots. Because of the popularity and success of our program, we are working towards securing funding to send an additional 5 students to the Law Camp for a total of 30 students.
The Law Camp is a nine-day summer enrichment and legal immersion program in Washington, DC. Students live in college dorms and have a college experience while learning about the legal profession and legal procedure from practicing attorneys, law professors, and judges. Leadership skills will be developed in persuasion and negotiation, communication, and public speaking. Students work in teams with a law student camp counselor to prepare for a moot court competition. In addition, behind-the-scenes tours will be provided at select federal institutions such as, U.S. Capitol, Supreme Court, Pentagon, Departments of State and Justice, and much more.
Our goal is to encourage and inspire high school graduation, attainment of a 4-year college degree, and pursuit of an advanced degree in law. Our vision is a more diverse legal profession. If you know a Latino high school Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior interested in pursuing a career in the legal profession, encourage them to apply online at www.HNBF.org. Additional information is also provided on our website.
If you or your company would like to sponsor a student at $2,500, please contact Christie Lewis at clewis@hnbf.org or 202.609.9783.
We would like to share with you, in the students' own words, the impact the camp has had on them:
"The HNBF and its leaders inspired me to pursue my educational goals. I was planning to attend college already, but they gave me that extra push and I believed in myself after the program. It also helped my self-confidence that I could become whoever I wanted. It was an experience I hold dear because it was very inspirational to me and helpful because I had an even bigger drive to get higher grades in high school so I could get into the university of my dreams which was the University of Washington." F. Ajpacaja, Law Camp 2006 (Current University of Washington student, expected graduation 2011)
"The Future Latino Leaders Law Camp definitely helped me get a feeling of college and inspired me towards pursuing higher education. By being surrounded by such educated and successful role models, I am now driven to complete my goal to be the first in my family to graduate from college in the United States." S. Gomez, Law Camp 2010
"During my experience at the HNBF Future Latino Leaders Law Camp I was able to meet students who were charismatic, intelligent, and were similarly passionate about politics as I am. My interest in government, politics, and law intensified because I could imagine my life as a future Latina serving in the United States government. I also had the opportunity to learn about the intricacies of law by participating in a Mock Trial competition. Participating in the HNBF Future Latino Leaders Law Camp motivated me to look for colleges in the D.C area so that I can get hands-on experience working in government while I am in college." N. Castrejon, Law Camp 2010
"When I attended this law camp it was truly life changing. I was in tenth grade and was only considering the idea of going into law. However, the HNBF Law Camp really opened my eyes to how interesting the topic truly is. It brought new opportunities and knowledge straight to me. Not only did I learn many new things but I also joined a family. I still keep in touch with the people I grew close to and it is inspiring to see all the achievements they have made in their own lives. Lastly, D.C. is a beautiful place and it was awesome to be in our nation's capital while learning about law. All in all, I would like to thank the camp and its sponsors from the bottom of my heart, because it helped shape me to who I am today." A. Garcia, Law Camp 2010
 | | 2010 Law Camp Students at U.S. Capitol |
 | | 2010 Law Camp Moot Court in Action |
 | | 2010 Law Camp Students at Annual Dinner |
|
|
Spotlight on HNBF Law Fellows Summer Program
| |
Why does diversity matter? A successful company's greatest competitive asset is its people. The HNBF understands the competitive advantage that Hispanic attorneys can offer corporations. With our Law Fellows program, we aim to increase diversity in corporate legal departments.
The program is a unique 8-week paid summer fellowship that places first year Hispanic law students in corporate legal departments for 6-weeks with an additional 2 weeks at a law firm that represents the company or the company's government relations office in Washington, DC. The HNBF prepares the student participants through a pre-fellowship Boot Camp that covers the nuts and bolts of working in a corporate legal department.
Major corporate sponsors supporting Law Fellows have included Comcast and Chevron, among others. We invite corporations and law firms to become a Law Fellows Corporate Partner; to learn more view our Corporate Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and contact Christie Lewis at clewis@hnbf.org or 202.496.7206.
HNBF Law Fellows Alumni Spotlight
 | | Gabby Gross Guinan Law Fellow Alumni |
As an HNBF Law Fellow, Gabriela (Gabby) Gross Guinan, had the opportunity to experience firsthand what it was like to work in the legal department for a major telecommunications company. "Working for Comcast really piqued my interest; now I plan to pursue my legal career in telecommunications--it's a really exciting field to be in."
During her six week fellowship at Comcast, Gabby conducted legal research on cyber security and privacy issues. In addition, Gabby spent two weeks at the DC law firm of Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP, a firm representing Comcast. During her time at the firm, she reviewed the Communications Act and identified instances of discrimination and wrote a memo on what discrimination looks like in the act.
Gabby leveraged her HNBF Law Fellows experience to gain access to even more opportunities. "The experience opened doors for me and continues to do so even today. My fellowship at Comcast helped me land my internship this past summer at the FCC."
Gabby describes what was most valuable for her as a Law Fellow, "Working in a corporate legal department and law firm was an incredible experience. Getting both perspectives was invaluable. Potential employers have been impressed by the opportunity that the HNBF Law Fellows program afforded me."
 | | Justin Carlson Law Fellow Alumni |
Justin Carlson had the unique opportunity as an L1 to do a summer fellowship at Chevron. During his fellowship at Chevron, Justin worked on drafting contracts in Spanish. "I found this work to be really interesting-it was invaluable to draft legal documents in Spanish because it's not something I have the opportunity to do in my day to day life--everything I do is in English." Mayda Prego, Senior Counsel at Chevron said, "The HNBF Law Fellowship creates incredible professional opportunities for Latino law students with the future impact of more diverse corporate legal departments."
In addition to his 6-week fellowship in the legal department of Chevron's Africa, Latin America and Caribbean offices in Coral Gables, FL, Justin spent 2-weeks at Chevron's Government Relations office in DC. The government relations experience afforded him the opportunity to attend Senate hearings and write and present hearing briefs to Chevron's legal team. He also participated in a presentation delivered to the Department of State.
Justin's legal education had focused solely on domestic law but through his HNBF Law Fellow's experience, he was exposed to international laws and relations. "This was a rare opportunity that most L1 students don't get." Furthermore, Justin conducted research on international laws and United Nations' laws and policies pertaining to Middle Eastern countries. "After my experience working with Chevron, I believe I could have an enriching experience in an international corporation. Going in-house is high on my list of considerations."
Justin describes what was most valuable for him as a Law Fellow, "Being an HNBF Law Fellow sets you apart from most first year law students. Having that on my résumé, the contacts as references, and engaging in the work I did, all combined has made me a more marketable candidate in a competitive job market."
A SPECIAL THANKS TO
THE HNBF LAW FELLOWS FOUNDING SPONSOR
|
|
Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice
Host a Documentary Screening in Your City
| |
View the latest enewsletter about the film Cruz Reynoso: Sowing the Seeds of Justice. Check out the upcoming screenings and if you can attend, please do. The HNBF proudly sponsored a showing in DC this past fall. If you would like to learn more about sponsoring an event in your city, please contact the filmmaker, Abby Ginzberg directly at abbyginzberg@gmail.com.
VISIT OUR NEW E-NEWS BLOGSPOT www.ReynosoFilm.org/E-NEWS
AND BE SURE TO FAN US on FACEBOOK
DVD available for low price of $20, includes version with Spanish subtitles,
Send check for $25 (includes $5 for shipping and handling) made out to:
Ginzberg Productions,
2600 Tenth Street #632
Berkeley, CA 94710
For more information, contact abbyginzberg@gmail.com |
|
HELP SHAPE OUR FUTURE...
DONATE TO THE HNBF TODAY!
| |
"For these are all our children, we will all profit by or pay for what they become." --James Baldwin
 | | 2010 Law Camp Students |
Who inspired you as a youth to stay in school? Go to college? Earn a degree? Pursue your career aspirations? Today, you can be that source of inspiration and support for a youth through your financial contribution to the HNBF. Your support benefits Hispanic students from across the nation--many from high risk situations. The students pictured above all participated on scholarship in our Law Camp program. Your contribution can make all the difference in a young person's life. As a contributor, your investment would support the following programs: Future Latino Leaders Law Camp, Law Fellows, Securities Enforcement Law Class, Project Access Mentorship, and College Scholarships.
Since its founding 26 years ago, the HNBF has engaged, empowered, and supported Hispanic youth because we believe that knowledge and diversity benefit everyone. Lack of opportunities, role models, information, and financial support prevent many Hispanics from becoming leaders and contributing their voices on issues that affect our communities. The HNBF provides diversity pipeline programs to inspire and encourage young Hispanics to pursue careers in the legal profession.The HNBF provides the tools and resources necessary to ensure full and equal opportunity for Hispanics to become leaders in the global community, thereby ensuring a brighter future for all.
Donate today online or mail your check to: The Hispanic National Bar Foundation
1900 K. St., NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20006. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
