NHI North Texas Alliance hosts online fundraiser Nov. 5

The National Hispanic Institute’s North Texas Alliance — formerly known as the Greater Dallas region — is honoring two distinguished NHI alumni and two longtime NHI allies at a virtual fundraising event on Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6:30-8 pm.

‘Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were not able to do our normal fundraising efforts for the NTX participants,” said NHI Board Member and North Texas project administrator George Rodriguez. “We decided to produce our own virtual fundraiser that would not only raise funds, but would also highlight our accomplishments as an Alliance.”

“The virtual event’s theme is an NHI Fundamental, ‘If it’s Meant to be, it’s Up to Me!’ showcasing the Alliance, two of our alumni, and recognizing two individuals who have always supported us in North Texas.”

“This is also the unveiling of our expansion from Greater Dallas to North Texas NHI,” he added. “I am very proud of the leadership demonstrated by NTX NHI, because in the middle of a pandemic, they have really embraced the other NHI fundamental of ‘Reflect, Adapt and Execute.’ Instead of allowing the circumstances to control our situation, we took control of the situation. This event is a first, and an experiment for not just our region, but all NHI regions. We already know that our efforts have raised money, and we are potentially looking at a record number of new participants in our Alliance. Our goal is to enrich the experience of our Alliance members and to be the gold standard for all Alliances.”

The event will feature appearances by two honorees, Texas State Rep. Victoria Neave and filmmaker Merced Elizondo, who attended NHI programs en route to their current leadership roles.

Neave, who represents District 107 and was named Freshman Legislator of the Year by the House Democratic Caucus in 2017, was a first-generation college student after making NHI part of her high school experience. She graduated magna cum laude in the top 3% of her law school class at Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and in addition to serving in the Texas House, runs her own law firm specializing in civil litigation and employment law.

Elizondo went through all three NHI programs, including the 2009 Texas Young Leaders Conference (now the Great Debate), 2010 National LDZ, and 2011 Texas CWS. Elizondo, who just completed a new movie (Manos de Oro) to be submitted to multiple film festivals, values his NHI experience and encourages aspiring young leaders to join.

“As an alum, I can tell you that the impact for me was life-changing,” Elizondo remarked. “It was life-altering, and it shifted the course of what it is that I felt that I was capable of doing as a young Latino … looking to succeed and be successful and be around other people that look like me and talk like me.”

“If you’re interested in a progressive-moving, forward-thinking Latino organization that is known, and the numbers show it clearly to foster leadership and education success in the Latino community, there’s no other organization like NHI, period, end of sentence.”

Rodriguez notes that Rebecca Massiatte and Todd Thorson, two lawyers who are being honored for their contribution and commitment to the Alliance, will also be part of the celebration on Thursday.

To participate on Thursday, you can either go to the stream on YouTube, on go to the NHI North Texas Facebook page.

To donate, go to this page.