Edith Cabrera-Tello, Ed.D (she/hers), born in Guatemala City, Guatemala — Fairfield, IA

Joe Gonzalez (he/his), born in Yurecuaro, Michoacan, Mexico— Des Moines, IA

Emilia Marroquin, (she/hers), born in San Salvador, El Salvador — Storm Lake, IA

Alexia Sánchez, (she/hers), Iowa Latinx Youth Leadership Award recipient. Born in Toluca, Mexico — grew up in Des Moines, IA

Marlú Carolina Abarca, (she/her/they/theirs), Iowa LGBTQIA Leadership Award recipient. Born in Torrance, California —  Waukee, IA

R. Samuel Braden, (he/his), Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice recipient. Born in Elkhart, Indiana  — Fredonia, IA

Elizabeth Bernal was born in Mexico. She has called Iowa City home for 17 years where she is raising her five children. She has attained many of her personal accomplishments including completing her GED, receiving her U.S. Citizenship in 2017, and being involved with several community organizations that promote the inclusion and wellbeing of immigrant communities in Iowa. She has made Iowa City the place to empower, welcome and uplift Latino and immigrant

communities.

Marcela Hurtado was born in Puebla, Mexico. She moved to Iowa 16 years ago and is currently raising a family of five in Iowa City where she is a fierce community advocate. Mrs. Hurtado is the co-founder for the Center for Workers Justice of Eastern Iowa or CWJ, where she serves as the elected President of the board. She led the organization in a successful campaign to raise the minimum wage in Johnson County and helped recover thousands of dollars in stolen wages. 

Dr. Lorenzo Jasso was born in 1953 and he moved to Iowa in the 1970s. He pursued his doctorate in Education at Drake University, becoming one of the first Latino school principals in the Des Moines School District.

Dr. Jasso’s enduring contributions to the Latino community impacted children, youth, as well as adults and
Dr. Lorenzo Jasso served in numerous boards and volunteered his time generously and tirelessly not only in the areas of education, health care, political involvement, parental empowerment, and academic excellence but also leading by example. elders. He was a mentor to many.

Nixson Benítez was born and raised in Des Moines in a Salvadoran immigrant household. He is a junior at the University of Northern Iowa or UNI, majoring in Digital Media Journalism with a cumulative GPA of 3.77. Mr. Benítez is a first-generation college student striving to uplift his community in all that he is involved in.

Benítez is opening doors and creating spaces for Latino writers. He does this by fighting

stereotypes that Latinos endure through storytelling and facts-based information. He also does this through representation. He believes that Salvadorians do not see themselves represented in many occupations, including writing. This encourages him to work to inspire others in the community as a young person showcasing his roots.

Itzel Padrón Zuñiga was born in Reynosa, Mexico, she immigrated to Ames as a teenager. She attended Iowa State University (ISU) where she majored in Sociology and Women and Gender Studies. While at ISU, she studied abroad in the Netherlands to attend NOISE summer school for Ph.D and MA students as one of few undergraduates. While abroad, she gained experience as a researcher. She conducted independent research on non-profit organizations in Utrecht, Berlin, Prague, and Krakow. She was also a Research Assistant for ISU’s Department of Sociology. She

became a Research Assistant for the Iowa Coalition for Collective Change. She also served as a volunteer Sexual Assault Advocate. While at ISU, she received several scholarships and awards for her leadership including the Outstanding Student Leader Award and the Undergraduate Social Action Award.

Juan Manuel Gálvez Ibarra, known in the community as Manny Gálvez, was born in Sahuayo, Michoacán, México. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Regional Studies. Manny worked in the Mexican Capital Government and the Mexican Federal Government. As a Cultural Program Coordinator in Mexico City, he developed and implemented popular budget and policy strategies in which people and civil organizations decided where, when, and how to spend part of the public budget. After moving to Iowa in 2003, he spent over a  year serving the community at the Catholic Worker house in Des Moines.

Elizabeth Balcarcel rom Zacatecas, Mexico - Des Moines, Iowa

Elizabeth is a state and national leader in the anti-violence movement, working tirelessly for safety and immigrant rights. Her compassion and diligence have improved many lives.

Michael R. Reyes of Mexican heritage - Davenport, Iowa

Michael has a long history as a role model for the Latino communities in Iowa. He was the Iowa LULAC director, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Rock Island American Legion post 200 for over 23 years.

Gabriela Rivera from Mexico City, Mexico - Coralville, Iowa

Committed to expanding the educational opportunities to Iowa students and residents, Gabriela Rivera demonstrates the importance of Latino values through advocacy, service, and community.

Iowa Latinx Youth Leadership Award:

Crystal Ambriz from Tijuana, Mexico -Columbus Junction, Iowa

Advocate for workers rights and housing discrimination, 
She is a DACAmented, community organizer, referee, artist, runner, and leader for young people that are ready to make change to happen.

Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice:

Henny Ohr from Seoul, Korea - Johnston, Iowa

Henny Ohr is a Founder and Executive Director of EMBARC, Iowa’s first refugee-led, non-profit service provider.  Henny supports immigrant and refugee communities with the knowledge and resources they need to feel at home in Iowa. She has helped many.

Iowa LGBTQIA Leadership Award:

Buffy E. Jamison from Des Moines, Iowa

An educator who lives at the intersection of Blackness, Queerness, and disability. Her work in the community unites these issues to create collective liberation. Buffy is the co-chair of the Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition.

Carlos Portes (posthumous) – Marshalltown, IA (from Havana, Cuba)
Recipient of Ellis Island Medal of Honor Award for his contributions in this country; served as Special Ambassador for Latin American Affairs; numerous other achievements.

Hector Avalos, PhD – Ames, IA (from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico)
Founder and inaugural director of the first US Latino/a Studies program at Iowa State University; internationally recognized and respected scholar in the area of biblical studies.

Lando X. Valadez (posthumous) – Des Moines, IA (Mexican heritage)
Latino migrant worker who became a community leader, political activist, advocate for Latinos, court interpreter, historian, mentor; founder of a number of Latino and Hispanic based organizations; World War II hero; recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star Medal.

The Latinx Youth Leadership Award recipient: Lilián Sánchez – 

Des Moines, IA (from Mexico)

First generation college student; first Latina Vice President of the University of Iowa Student Government;

advocate of diversity issues; fellow at Amnesty International.

The Robert D. Ray Award for Equity and Justice recipient: Jan Mitchell – Des Moines, IA

Teacher who paved a path for lifelong success in her students; founder of Al Exito, a program whose mission is empower Latinos for success through education, leadership, and community engagement.

Ernest M. Rodriguez, Bettendorf, IA 

A founding father of what is now the Iowa Commission & Office of Latino Affairs and long time activist.

Salvador (Chavo) J. Lopez, Davenport, IA 

Champion of social and economic justice for all races, but especially those of Hispanic heritage.

Warren Morrow (posthumous), Des Moines, IA 

Honored by the Warren Morrow Latin Music Festival, he was an activist, visionary and game changer in the state.

The First recipient of the Iowa Latinx Youth Leadership Award: Vanessa Espinoza, Columbus Junction, IA - A young activist, educator, and co-founder of  Latinos for Washington, Inc.

The first recipient of the Iowa Latino Ambassador award for Equity and Justice: Governor Robert D. Ray (posthumous), Des Moines, IA - Governor, a humanitarian and civil rights activist. Served as the 38th governor of Iowa for 14 years, signed into law the Spanish-Speaking People's Commission which is now known as the Office of Latino Affairs, and charged it with coordinating services for the states expanding Latinx population.

From October 20, 2018, this will be the Robert D. Ray Award for Equity & Justice.

Mary Campos (Des Moines): Mentor, role model and advocate. First Latina appointed to the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, and co-chair of the Iowa Brown-Black Presidential Forum.

Ila Plasencia (West Des Moines): Community volunteer, organizer and activist. Served in the first Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, and many more organizations.

Henry Vargas (Davenport): Founding member of the Davenport Civil Rights Commission and what is now called the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs and the Office of Latino Affairs.