REPORT SUMMARY
The first step in launching a Latino Leadership Movement is to identify the “State of U.S. Latino Leadership Programs” today. A broad search was conducted through a survey distribution which included: Over 2,500 individuals and influentials, affiliates of five national Latino organizations, and two mainstream leadership organizations.
The result is The National Latino Leadership Directory which indicates where Latino leadership programs exist and where there are gaps in services. LIDERAMOS will form a national network for existing programs and offer services, networking events, training and conferences to learn from each other and to strengthen their services.
Second, the data collected was integrated with Latino demographics and growth to determine where there are significant Latino populations, but no leadership programs. This identifies communities that will benefit from LIDERAMOS services. Subsequent outreach will be done to determine if there are potential partners and organizations that are interested and able to initiate leadership programs in these communities. (See information Join the Movement.)
PARTICIPANT PROFILE
The following groups emerged as primary focuses for leadership programs:
- Community/government/non-profit leaders: 30
- National Programs: 11
- University Programs: 17
- Directors/mid-career: 15
- Women: 19
- Immigrant serving: 5
- Corporate leaders/Chambers Commerce: 11
- Youth programs: 8
KEY SURVEY FINDINGS
- Total number of programs identified: 111 serving approximately 3,300 people. A 23% increase in 3 years which indicates Latino leadership is increasing in scope and impact.
- States with the highest number of programs: California, Texas, Illinois and programs with organizations based in DC.
- Cities with the largest number of programs: Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver and programs with organizations based in DC.
- Fastest growing demographics – programs for women growing from 11 to 19 in a three year period (a 42% increase).
Gap Analysis
The gap analysis is based on demographic information from the PEW Research Center.
Observations:
- The majority of Latinos participate in leadership development through non-profit community organizations.
- The greatest number of programs serve women or are based in Universities for college students.
- With the exception of New Jersey and New Mexico, the top 10 states with the highest Latino population all have programs.
These states include California, Texas, Florida, New York, Illinois, Arizona, Colorado, and Georgia. - New Jersey’s Latino population is nearly two million and no programs were identified.
A program was not found in New Mexico although the Hispanic population is 48% Hispanic. - Latino demographics in the Southern US is exploding, most states do not have leadership programs to meet the growing numbers.
Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee have one program. Florida is the exception with has four programs. - California, Illinois, and Texas have the greatest number of programs supporting a large, diverse Latino constituency in high population metropolitan areas. Almost half of all Latinos live in California and Texas.
- The Latino population in Nevada is approximately 28% of the overall population but no program was identified.
Programs were not found in Indiana, North Dakota, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming and Montana. - Only five programs serving immigrants were identified.
Additional research with Immigrant organizations is warranted to determine need and viability. - Programs based out of DC may affect the overall statistical analysis of program distribution.