Rudy Padilla and Robert Flores founded the League of United Latin American Citizens, Shawnee Mission, Kansas Council, in 2021. The organization’s overarching mission is to “advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health, and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.” The local council strives to fundraise for scholarships through the National Educational Service Centers, which has received a grant from the Ford Motor Company to enlighten local high school students in trade school education opportunities, specifically in the transportation vehicle repair and service sector. The local officers of the council work closely with school districts to provide information to students and teachers via videos published on their website and selected media outlets, as well as promote fundraising strategies. President Rudy Padilla emphasized, “We are attending local school board meetings with the message to hire and promote more Hispanic teachers and introduce more legitimate Hispanic history.” For more information, go to smkslulac11085.org. 

Featured in the September 30, 2023 issue of The Independent.