NHI Thanks the AEP Foundation Texas for its Contribution to the Texas Great Debate

With summer just around the corner, the National Hispanic Institute eagerly awaits the commencement of the current program year and is counting down the days until our first program date – the 2023 Texas Great Debate on June 8th-11th at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. In the midst of our preparations for all of our exciting summer programs, we would be remiss to not recognize the support and encouragement we receive along the way via various donations, grants, and gifts. 

These gifts make a positive impact for our students and staff beyond providing the monetary assistance that help make our programs possible, they also serve as a testament to the nation-wide support of NHI’s mission to help develop high-achieving Latino/a/x youth into leaders of tomorrow. NHI recently received a generous $10,000 gift in support of the 2023 Texas Great Debate from AEP Texas, an operating unit of American Electric Power (AEP). NHI is proud to partner with the AEP Foundation and AEP Texas in our efforts to provide an outstanding program for our 9th grade students.

“This AEP Foundation contribution is an investment in all of our futures,” Vee Strauss, AEP Texas Community Affairs and Customer Service Manager, said.  “We are helping ensure that there are young leaders ready to guide our communities in the future. The National Hispanic Institute is an extremely effective program with many benefits.”

The AEP Foundation was formed in 2005 to provide a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives such as NHI. The AEP Foundation focuses on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math; by meeting basic needs for emergency shelter, affordable housing and the elimination of hunger; and championing social and racial justice. Other AEP Foundation support may be offered to protect the environment, promote healthcare and safety, and enrich life through art, music and cultural heritage. 

NHI is grateful for AEP’s support and their efforts to support causes near and dear to our mission. “We were overwhelmed and thrilled to receive AEP Texas’ support, and cannot thank everyone at the AEP Foundation enough for their support,” Nicole Nieto, NHI’s Executive Vice President, said. To learn more about the 2023 Texas Great Debate, please visit our website at nationalhispanicinstitute.org/great-debate.

Article written by Bianca Rawlings.