2025 LULAC National Convention Highlights

The 2025 LULAC National Convention took place August 6–9, 2025, in Long Beach, California. It brought together thousands of LULAC members, elected officials, and community leaders for four days of education, advocacy, and celebration. Centered on the theme Diverse Roots, Shared Dreams, the convention featured dynamic panel discussions on key issues and uplifting ceremonies honoring Latino leaders.

This was LULAC’s most diverse and inclusive convention in its history, with our LULAC Councils and members and over 400 young adults (18-23) participating in the LULAC Academy, 100 youth from the LNESC program (16-17), and 40 youth from migrant farm worker families from Oxnard, California coming together to learn and share stories from their communities.

Day One: LULAC Academy Opening Session

The convention opened with a panel of LULAC’s national leadership and young advocates, setting the tone for the days ahead. LULAC National President and Chairman Roman Palomares and CEO Juan Proaño joined Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and other leaders to welcome attendees and emphasize the organization’s mission of youth empowerment. Attorney General Keith Ellison discussed the importance of LULAC’s ongoing civil rights efforts and the importance of mentoring the next generation of Latino leaders.

LULAC’s leaders underscored the convention theme, noting that “Empowering the next generation is our responsibility to ensure those who come after us are ready to lead”. This sentiment captured LULAC’s centuries-long commitment to civil rights and empowerment and the goal of the convention’s programs.

Uprooted: Migration and the Climate Crisis

This session dives into a growing reality: climate-related disasters are fueling migration across the Americas—and Latino migrant communities, especially farmworkers, are on the front lines. From hurricanes and droughts uprooting families to rising temperatures worsening already harsh working conditions, the pressures forcing people to move—and the challenges they face once here—are intensifying. Participants will unpack the connection between natural disasters, migration, and labor conditions. Practice how to communicate these issues in a way that drives awareness and change. Through peer discussion and real-world scenarios, attendees will leave with sharpened advocacy skills and deeper understanding of how to uplift migrant voices.

Latino Voices in an AI-Driven World: Tools, Power, and Possibilities

This AI-focused session featured Susan Gonzales, Founder and CEO of AI & You, who spoke about the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence for the Latino community. Geared toward students and young professionals, the talk explored how Latinos can gain a stronger foothold in the tech sector and ensure AI is used equitably.

Gonzales highlighted the importance of Latino representation in tech development. She noted that Latinos must be more than consumers of new technology – they should be creators and decision-makers. “If we’re not at the table when AI tools are built, our community’s needs could be left out,” she warned.

Tune in: Tech - Latino Voices in an AI-Driven World: Tools, Power, and Possibilities Session

Reclaiming Our Narrative: Reflecting Latino Realities in Traditional and Social Media

This session inspired attendees to actively participate in media-making. Whether through supporting Latino filmmakers/journalists or creating content of our own, we can all help reshape the narrative. The panelists encouraged LULAC members to challenge misrepresentations whenever they see them and to support initiatives that put Latinos in charge of our stories. They left us with a clear message: by controlling our narrative, we empower our community and influence how others perceive Latino Americans.

Challenging Misrepresentation: Panelists stressed the need to counter stereotypical or narrow portrayals of Latinos in mainstream media. They discussed how authentic storytelling and ownership of content can better reflect the diversity of Latino experiences. Memo Torres, a journalist, noted that community-based media (like L.A. Taco) is crucial in highlighting real Latino stories often ignored by larger outlets.

Tune in: Reclaiming Our Narrative: Reflecting Latino Realities in Traditional and Social Media Session

Turning Struggles Into Strength: How to Strategically Advocate for Change

The session provided a toolkit of strategies for turning challenges into change. Panelists emphasized the importance of storytelling in advocacy – personal stories can humanize issues and sway public opinion and policymakers. They also discussed strategic coalition-building: bringing together community members, organizations (like LULAC, ACLU, etc.), and allies to create a united front.

Iliana Perez and Cody Wofsy shared how personal and community struggles can become a foundation for powerful advocacy. Iliana opened up about her own story as a formerly undocumented student who overcame barriers to become an advocate. “As someone who was undocumented for 27 years, I know what it feels like to have the doors closed — not because of lack of ability or ambition, but because of systemic barriers beyond my control,” she shared, highlighting the resilience of immigrant communities. This lived experience now drives her work to open doors for others. Cody, a civil rights attorney, talked about how witnessing injustices in immigration enforcement propelled him into legal advocacy to fight for systemic change.

Tune in: Turning Struggles into Strength: How to Strategically Advocate for Change Session

Day Two: Opening Session - Being Latino in 2025: Voices From a Changing America

This Opening Session was more than a panel – it was a heartfelt conversation that brought LULAC’s mission to life through personal stories. Each speaker’s voice – from Mireille’s determination as a Dreamer to Esmeralda’s plea for justice – highlighted the resilience, courage, and esperanza (hope) that define the Latino experience in 2025. Their testimonies exposed the real challenges our community faces: attacks on our rights, gaps in opportunity and representation, and the need for systemic change. Yet, in every story there was a message of strength and empowerment.

Esmeralda Cantu Castile (Mother of Angelina Reséndiz): Esmeralda closed the session with an emotional call for justice for her daughter, Seaman Angelina Reséndiz – a 21-year-old Latina sailor whose recent disappearance and death revealed systemic failures. Speaking through tears, she described her family’s nightmare and the Navy’s slow response, evoking parallels to the Vanessa Guillén tragedy. “The very system that promised to protect my daughter ended up failing her,”.

Re-Drawing Power, Re-Shaping Futures, the Impact of Gerrymandering on Education.

The panel urged attendees to stay informed and involved in redistricting battles. They highlighted LULAC’s advocacy, such as legal challenges against discriminatory maps and community voter drives. Rep. Morales encouraged everyone to “be a watchdog” during local redistricting meetings and to speak up for equitable maps.

Gerrymandering & Educational Equity: This plenary explored how political redistricting can significantly affect education policy and resources. Christina Morales opened with local perspective, explaining that when voting districts are redrawn to dilute Latino voting power, it often results in less responsive leadership for Latino communities. Congressman Greg Casar gave a passionate account of recent redistricting efforts in Texas, warning that some maps are designed to “silence the voices” of communities of color. He argued that extreme gerrymandering is “a violation of the Voting Rights Act” aimed at diluting the voices of voters of color. Casar stressed that this isn’t just a political issue—it directly impacts families and schools. When communities lose fair representation, their schools may suffer from policies that don’t reflect their interests.

Impact on Schools: Noel Candelaria connected the dots between gerrymandering and education from an educator’s perspective. He explained that elected officials set budgets and curriculum standards; if those officials aren’t truly representative of the community due to skewed district lines, public schools can be shortchanged. He cited examples of states where partisan map-drawing led to policymakers who diverted funds from public schools or resisted bilingual and inclusive education programs. Fair maps, Noel argued, mean fair chances for all students – and when maps are unfair, our children’s education is at stake.

Tune in: Re-Drawing Power, Re-Shaping Futures, The Impact of Gerrymandering on Education Session

Under Attack – The Role of Courts in Preserving Rights

Legal experts examined how recent laws and court decisions are impacting Latino and immigrant rights. Moderated by former Ambassador Norman Eisen, the panel included New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and MALDEF President Thomas A. Saenz. They discussed the courts’ pivotal role in safeguarding civil rights amid legislative and executive actions that many see as threats to the Latino community.

Attorney General Torrez and MALDEF’s Saenz shared recent victories and challenges from the courtroom. They encouraged LULAC members to stay engaged in legal advocacy – from supporting impact litigation to knowing “your rights in your own communities”. The session reinforced that when other avenues fail, the courts can still uphold justice and protect Latino civil rights, provided communities continue to fight cases in court.

Tune in: Judicial Advocacy - Under Attack: The Role of Courts in Preserving Rights Session

Hard Truths, Real Solutions – Chronic Disease and the Latino Experience

This health plenary addressed the disproportionate impact of chronic diseases (like diabetes and heart disease) on Latino families, and explored strategies to improve health outcomes. Dr. Ray Serrano of LULAC moderated the discussion with Charles D. Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association, and Dr. Larissa Avilés-Santa of the National Institutes of Health. They confronted the “hard truths” of health disparities and proposed “real solutions” grounded in community action and policy change.

Dr. Avilés-Santa discussed community-driven health initiatives, including LULAC’s own programs. She highlighted success stories where local LULAC councils organized health fairs, nutrition workshops, and vaccination drives. “Our strength is in our communities,” she noted, explaining that solutions must involve empowering Latino families with knowledge and resources. The Latino Surge – Redefining and Reshaping Politics

Tune in: Health - Hard Truths, Real Solutions: Chronic Disease and the Latino Experience Session

The Latino Surge – Redefining and Reshaping Politics

This panel examined the growing political influence of Latinos as voters, candidates, and consumers. Moderated by LULAC CEO Juan Proaño, it featured leaders from top civic organizations – including Virginia Case Solomon (Common Cause) , Héctor Sánchez Barba (Mi Familia Vota), Erica Bernal-Martinez (NALEO), and Jonathan Diaz (Campaign Legal Center). Together they discussed how the “Latino surge” is redefining U.S. politics and what it means for future elections.

Panelists noted that Latinos are now one of the fastest-growing segments of the electorate and have unprecedented economic power. They shared recent successes in voter registration drives and turnout. In fact, advocacy groups like LULAC and Mi Familia Vota have set ambitious goals to register and mobilize a record number of Latino voters in upcoming elections. “Latinos are a rising force in our democracy,” one speaker said, “when we vote, we change outcomes”.

Tune in: Civic Engagement - The Latino Surge: Redefining and Reshaping Politics Session

“Now What? What Comes Next.”

As the convention’s closing plenary, this community forum tied together the week’s themes and looked to the future. Gaby Pacheco (CEO of TheDream.US) and advocate Carlos Eduardo Espina led a candid discussion on sustaining momentum after the convention. They explored how to convert the energy and ideas from the event into action at the local and national levels – essentially, what comes next for LULAC’s mission.

Pacheco and Espina reflected on the progress Latinos have made and the challenges still ahead. They touched on immigration reform (noting the ongoing need to protect Dreamers and immigrant families) and urged continued grassroots organizing. “This isn’t the end – it’s the beginning of what comes next for our community,” Pacheco stated passionately. “We have to keep pushing forward together, porque la lucha sigue” (the struggle continues).

Tune in: COMMUNITY FORUM - Now What? What Comes Next. Session

Youth and Young Adults Awards Ceremony

Description: The convention concluded by shining a spotlight on its youngest leaders. The Youth and Young Adults Awards Ceremony (held Thursday evening) recognized the achievements of LULAC’s youth members and councils. Andy Lara (LULAC Youth Council President) and Ana Coca (LULAC National VP for Youth) served as speakers and mentors for the event. They, along with LULAC’s national officers, presented awards to outstanding youth councils, scholarship recipients, and young Latino leaders who are making a difference.

Tune in: Youth and Young Adults Awards Ceremony

Women’s Hall of Fame Luncheon

This annual luncheon, hosted by the LULAC Women’s Commission, honored the remarkable contributions of Latinas in LULAC and beyond. The 2025 Women’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony featured legendary civil rights leader Dolores Huerta and former U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis as keynote speakers, who inspired the audience with stories of perseverance and activism. Six outstanding women were inducted into LULAC’s Hall of Fame, recognizing their achievements in fields like labor, community advocacy, education, and veterans’ services.

Dolores Huerta (co-founder of the United Farm Workers) energized the crowd with her call for continued activism. Drawing from decades of experience, she reminded everyone that the fight for equality is ongoing. “Sí se puede – together we can accomplish anything,” Huerta exclaimed, prompting a standing ovation. She urged women in the room to use their voices and never give up, noting that each generation must lift the next.

Tune in: Women's Hall of Fame Luncheon

Presidential Awards Banquet

On Friday evening, the convention’s premier awards banquet celebrated outstanding contributions to LULAC and the Latino community. With comedian Erik Rivera as emcee, attendees enjoyed dinner, entertainment, and inspiring remarks from LULAC leadership. LULAC National President Roman Palomares presented the Presidential Awards to distinguished honorees, including community leaders and LULAC council members who have demonstrated exemplary service.

In his keynote address, President Palomares thanked the awardees for their service, noting “Tonight we honor those who exemplify LULAC’s mission through their dedication and corazón (heart)”. LULAC was honored to recognize the incredible contributions of community leaders, including: Sen. Alex Padilla, Mayor Karen Bass, David Huerta, and Amb. Norman Eisen, Angelica Salas, and Ozomalti.

Award recipients ranged from lifelong LULAC volunteers to young innovators partnering with LULAC. Each honoree spoke briefly, often dedicating their award to family or community. One awardee moved the audience by saying, “LULAC taught me what it means to serve. This award is for everyone in my council back home working to make a difference”. The ceremony left attendees proud and motivated, as the room celebrated the very best of LULAC’s grassroots leadership.

Tune in: Presidential Awards Banquet

A heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors whose generosity made the LULAC National Convention possible. Your continued support ensures that the next generation of leaders is empowered, engaged, and informed on the issues shaping their communities.

To our leadership, community champions, members, and associates—thank you for coming together with us in Long Beach, California. It is your dedication, passion, and spirit that make LULAC the extraordinary force for change and opportunity that it is today.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org.