Jose Antonio Tijerino is a proud immigrant from Nicaragua and President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, social impact and culture through the lens of innovative leadership. He also serves as executive producer of the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center, and co-founded a leadership institute with Trinity University, which connects graduating high school seniors with mentors throughout college and their careers. Jose is the recipient of many prestigious awards, and through his leadership and inspiration, he has created many programs to help in the area of social justice.

In our conversation, we talk about the importance of taking action as an activist, and Jose shares how he has built programs through inspiring and mobilizing members of his networks and communities. He also brings up the importance of DEI practitioners to work together and celebrate each other as allies. There can certainly be competition within the space for funding and resources, but Jose impresses on us that it is our responsibility to uplift and celebrate each other in order to make the biggest impact. To connect with Jose, find him on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-tijerino-9881847, or on social media, links below.

Topics In This Episode

• Where to find inspiration and how to harness it

• Creating action within yourself and those around you

• Be impatient with your activism

• There is freedom that comes from little-to-no funding

• Our responsibility when we get a seat at the table

• Never sit quietly in the room. Everything you bring to the room has value.

Connect

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-tijerino-9881847

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hispanicheritage/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hispanicheritage

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hispanicheritage

Other Conversations We’ve Enjoyed

• Empowering Employees To Be Part Of The Solution
• How To Be A Responsible DEI Leader