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USHLI, in partnership with the University of Toledo, Adelante, and ECHHO, co-sponsored the Latino Youth Summit and parent leadership training in Toledo on May 7 and 8.
 Roy Juarez, one of the top motivational speakers in the nation, was the featured speaker and achieved a milestone in his career. The Latino Youth Summit was attended by more than 500 high school students, which put Roy over the 100,000 mark in terms of the number of students who have heard his powerful and inspiring message. In his message he talked about his life growing up enduring domestic violence, surviving life in the streets as an abandoned 14-year-old while providing for two younger siblings, overcoming poverty and despair, and eventually enrolling in college and graduating. Roy's message of choosing triumph over tragedy, forgiveness over bitterness, joy over sadness, success over failure, and love over hate, a message of true character and real leadership, was extremely well received by the students who were very visibly moved emotionally and very inspired. His mother was in attendance to witness this milestone.
 
Ernesto Mejia, an expert on leadership development, conducted a Parent Leadership Training session for over 30 parents of the students who attended the conference. Ernesto also conducted a leadership development workshop for 80 eleventh grade students at the summit.
Cecilia Rivera, Chair of the Latino Youth Summit said "The University of Toledo is proud to partner with the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute. We would like to continue to work with USHLI to inspire Latino youth to finish high school and go on to college. I hope that students left today's event knowing that they can overcome any obstacle to achieve their dreams."
Sierra Espinoza Hernandez, a graduating senior from Whitmer High School, had this to say about Roy, "He talked about keeping our hopes and dreams alive so that we can go far in life. He told us to make better choices and take advantage of the opportunities we have. He was very inspiring!" Sierra plans to study marketing and communications at the University of Toledo.
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