2026 LULAC National Convention: Full Schedule

4:00pm CDT

Tyson Foods, AFT, and LULAC Give Back: Feeding Families, Fueling Futures

Wednesday June 17, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CDT

LULAC and Tyson Foods come together for LULAC Gives Back, demonstrating that strong communities are built through service. As part of this effort, Tyson Foods is donating 40,000 pounds of protein to help feed families in the Fort Worth community, making a tangible impact on those facing food insecurity. The AFT will also provide over 1,000 books and LEGO sets for children, families, and educators, helping expand access to learning and opportunity. Giving back has always been central to LULAC's mission, and through partnerships like this with Tyson Foods, we continue turning that commitment into action where it matters most.

Wednesday June 17, 2026 4:00pm - 4:30pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Free and Open to everyone

9:00am CDT

Opening Remarks

Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am CDT

Exhibit Hall A

This opening session launches the 2026 LULAC National Convention by spotlighting the next generation of Latino leaders who are already shaping the future of Texas and our nation. Rooted in their communities and driven by a commitment to service, these emerging voices represent the courage, vision, and determination needed to meet this moment. As LULAC prepares a new generation to lead, this conversation celebrates the rising leaders who are organizing, advocating, and marching our communities toward a stronger future and a shared victory built on opportunity, justice, and representation for all.

Speakers

Rep. Gina Hinojosa

Governor of Texas, Democrat Nominee

Gina Hinojosa, the Democrat nominee for Governor of Texas, is a lawyer, educator, and public
servant with more than two decades of experience advocating for students, workers, and Texas families. Raised in the Rio Grande Valley, she earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her law degree from George Washington University before returning... Read More →

Bobby Pulido

Democrat Nominee for Texas's 15th Congressional District

Bobby Pulido was born and raised in Edinburg, Texas, where he still lives today with his wife. He is the proud father of four sons, raising his family in the same community that shaped him. The son of a farmworker-turned-musician, Bobby grew up surrounded by the values that define... Read More →

Roman Palomares

National President and Chairman, LULAC

Roman Palomares currently serves as the National President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and as Chair of the LULAC National Board, following years of leadership as Chief of Staff and Chair of Military and Veteran Affairs. A Vietnam-era veteran, retired federal... Read More →

Juan Proaño

Chief Executive Officer, LULAC

Juan Proaño is an entrepreneur, technologist, and business leader who is active in civic affairs, social impact, and politics He has served as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) since November 2023. As LULAC’s CEO, Juan oversees the... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 9:55am CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

10:00am CDT

Dollars, Decisions, and Real Life

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am CDT

Exhibit Hall A

This session is built for young adults who want to take control of their financial future in 2026, at a time when rising costs, student debt, and economic uncertainty are real and immediate. Instead of trying to cover everything, we zero in on the essentials: how to manage credit, build a basic budget, and make smarter day-to-day financial decisions in a high-cost environment. We will also touch briefly on digital tools like online payments and crypto, and name the added financial pressures facing young people in mixed-status families. The goal is simple: leave with a clear understanding of a few core concepts and practical steps you can actually use right away.

Speakers

Paola Garcia Abbo

Vice President and Head of Impact, OneMain Financial

Paola Garcia Abbo is Vice President and Head of Impact at OneMain Financial, where she leads initiatives that expand financial opportunity and strengthen economic mobility for underserved communities. Her career spans the public and private sectors, bringing together experience in... Read More →

Daniel Garza

Senior Managing Director, OneMain Financial

Daniel Garza is Senior Managing Director at OneMain Financial, where he oversees 375 branches, manages a $5 billion consumer loan portfolio, and leads more than 1,500 team members across 15 states in the South, Central, and Western United States. In addition to his operational responsibilities... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 10:00am - 10:55am CDT
Exhibit Hall A

LULAC Academy/Young Adult Event, LULAC Young Adults

11:00am CDT

More Than a Game: Sports, Identity, and Latino Leadership

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Sports have always been about more than the game for Latino communities. They carry history, pride, sacrifice, and identity across generations. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to North America, Latino athletes, broadcasters, and fans have a rare opportunity to shape the future of sports and the story the country tells about itself. Latino communities are driving the growth of soccer and professional sports in the United States, while athletes have become powerful voices for leadership and change. This conversation explores how sports build community, expand representation, and inspire the next generation to lead both on and off the field.

Moderator

Richard Estrada III

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Richard Estrada III is a dynamic leader, advocate, and emerging sports professional with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. As the former National Youth President of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Richard... Read More →

Speakers

Francisco Romero

Spanish Broadcaster, Houston Astros

Francisco Romero is one of the most respected voices in Spanish-language sports broadcasting. Now in his 19th season as the Spanish play-by-play broadcaster for the Houston Astros, he has called more than 2,000 Major League Baseball games, including eight no-hitters and a perfect... Read More →

Luis Perez

Spanish Broadcaster, Dallas Cowboys

Luis Perez is an award-winning broadcaster, entrepreneur, and community leader whose career has spanned more than two decades in Spanish-language media and sports broadcasting. A graduate of Amphitheater High School in Tucson and the University of Arizona, where he earned a degree... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 11:00am - 11:55am CDT
Exhibit Hall A

LULAC Academy/Young Adult Event

2:00pm CDT

United Against Hate: Protecting Our Communities and Our Democracy

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Extremism and hate threaten more than the communities they target. They weaken democracy itself. Latino communities have increasingly faced political violence, anti-immigrant extremism, online hate, and efforts to divide Americans along racial and ethnic lines. In this session, Jonathan Greenblatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), examines the rise of extremist movements, the connections between antisemitism and anti-Latino hate, and why broad coalitions are essential to defending civil rights, protecting democratic institutions, and ensuring every community can participate safely and fully in American life.

Speakers

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO & National Director, Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

Jonathan A. Greenblatt is the CEO of ADL (Anti-Defamation League). Since becoming CEO in July 2015, Greenblatt has modernized ADL while refocusing it on the mission to fight the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.

Jonathan has been nam... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:00pm - 2:30pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

2:30pm CDT

Why Fascists Fear Teachers: A Fireside Chat with Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Teachers do more than teach reading, math, and science. They teach students how to ask questions, evaluate facts, and think for themselves. History shows that when democracy is under attack, teachers and public schools are often among the first targets. In this fireside chat, Randi Weingarten joins LULAC to discuss the fight over the future of public education—from cuts to Head Start and attacks on the U.S. Department of Education to school vouchers, immigration enforcement in schools, and the growing pressure on educators. The conversation will also examine the role of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in expanding opportunity and what must be done to ensure Latino, immigrant, and working families continue to have access to strong public schools. At its core, this is a conversation about why protecting teachers means protecting democracy.

Speakers

Randi Weingarten

President, The American Federation of Teachers

Randi Weingarten is President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), a union representing 1.8 million educators, healthcare professionals, public employees, and higher education faculty and staff across the United States. Since assuming the role in 2008, she has become one... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 2:30pm - 3:00pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

3:00pm CDT

The Fight for Civil Rights: Law, Policy, and Community Action

Thursday June 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Courts have become one of the central battlegrounds shaping democracy in the United States. From voting rights and immigration to free speech, civil liberties, and executive power, major legal fights are now deciding how far government authority can reach and who remains protected under the Constitution. This plenary brings together legal leaders and civil rights advocates to examine the growing role of litigation in defending democratic institutions during a period of rising authoritarian pressure. The discussion focuses on what these legal battles mean for Latino communities, civil rights organizations, and the broader future of American democracy.

Speakers

Rep. Ramon Romero, Jr

Chair, Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas State Legislature

State Representative Ramon Romero, Jr. is in his sixth term proudly representing the people of House District 90 in Fort Worth, Texas, and also serves as the Chair of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus for the 89th Texas Legislative Session. Rep. Romero is currently serving... Read More →

Skye Perryman

President and CEO, Democracy Forward

Skye L. Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward, a nonpartisan, national legal organization that promotes democracy and progress through litigation, regulatory engagement, communications, policy education, and research. Named as one of the 2025 100 Most Influential... Read More →

Maya Wiley

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Maya Wiley is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the nation's oldest and largest civil rights coalition. A nationally respected attorney, policy leader, and advocate, she has spent her career fighting to protect civil rights... Read More →

Thursday June 18, 2026 3:00pm - 3:55pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

9:30am CDT

Beyond the Ballot Box: Courts, Elections, and Latino Representation

Friday June 19, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT

Exhibit Hall A

For Latino communities, many of the most consequential civil rights battles are now being fought in the courts and at the ballot box. Voting rights, redistricting, immigration, language access, and executive power are shaping political representation, while election officials face growing challenges in protecting voter access, combating disinformation, and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process. This plenary brings together two Latino Secretaries of State and two leading legal scholars to examine the legal and political forces shaping the 2026 midterm elections, the pressures facing those responsible for administering free and fair elections, and the strategies being used to protect constitutional rights and ensure every eligible voter can cast a ballot safely and without interference. The discussion will explore why Latino civic participation will play a defining role in the elections ahead and what these battles mean for the future of democracy in the U.S.

Moderator

Amb. Norman Eisen (ret.)

Co-founder and Board Member, State Democracy Defenders Action

Norman L. Eisen is the co-founder and executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund and one of the nation's leading experts on government ethics, the rule of law, and democratic institutions. An attorney and diplomat, he served as Special Counsel to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee... Read More →

Speakers

Sec. Adrian Fontes

Arizona Secretary of State

In 2022, Adrian Fontes was elected as Arizona's 21st Secretary of State. Secretary Fontes is a proud Arizona native, an honorable veteran of the United States Marine Corps, and the father of three daughters, who has spent a lifetime fighting for justice and defending our Democrac... Read More →

Sec. Francisco "Cisco" Aguilar

Nevada Secretary of State

Francisco “Cisco” Aguilar was elected as Nevada Secretary of State in 2022 and assumed office on January 2, 2023.

Prior to being elected, Secretary Aguilar served twelve years as General Counsel for Agassi Graf, the management company for Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf, and the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education. In this role, he was responsible for communications and media, marketing and

... Read More →

Lauren Groh-Wargo

CEO, Fair Fight Action

Lauren Groh-Wargo is one of the country's leading political strategists and voting rights advocates. As Chief Executive Officer of Fair Fight Action, she has helped build one of the nation's most influential organizations focused on protecting the freedom to vote, expanding civic... Read More →

Friday June 19, 2026 9:30am - 10:30am CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

10:45am CDT

What Shapes Which Media Stories Get Told: A Joint Panel with LULAC and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists

Friday June 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Political pressure on journalists and media organizations is intensifying. Questions about who gets to tell America’s stories and whose voices are protected have become increasingly urgent. This session examines Latino representation in the media through the lens of journalists, storytellers, and creators navigating a rapidly shifting political and media landscape. Panelists will discuss government pressure on the press, misinformation, and the responsibility of journalists to serve communities with accuracy, independence, and humanity. The conversation will also explore the challenges of building trust within a Latino community that is incredibly diverse, yet has often felt ignored, misrepresented, or only covered in moments of crisis. From immigration coverage to public safety narratives, the panel will examine how media shapes public understanding of Latino communities and why truthful, accountable reporting remains essential during moments of democratic strain.

Moderator

Gilbert Bailon

Deputy Executive Director, National Association of Hispanic Journalists

Gilbert Bailon has more than four decades of newsroom leadership experience and now serves as the Deputy Director of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Most recently, he was executive editor at WBEZ public radio and Chicago Public Media, which also owns the Chicago... Read More →

Speakers

Arleen Aguasvivas

Chief Content Officer, LULAC

Arleen Aguasvivas is an Emmy-nominated, award-winning video journalist and producer with nearly a decade of experience at NBC News. She has covered civil rights, immigration, criminal justice investigations, and the full range of stories a fast-moving newsroom throws at you. She’s... Read More →

Rebecca Lopez

President, National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) Dallas–Fort Worth Chapter, Investigative Reporter, WFAA-TV

Rebecca Lopez is an award-winning journalist and the Senior Crime and Justice Reporter at WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth. A veteran reporter who began her television news career in 1988, Lopez has spent decades covering the criminal justice system, law enforcement, courts, and major... Read More →

Nidia Cavazos

Former CBS News Correspondent, National Political Journalist.

Nidia Cavazos is a national award-winning journalist covering politics and immigration. Trilingual in English, Spanish, and Mandarin, she has established a prominent career as a national correspondent for both CBS News and Univision.
As a Los Angeles-based National Correspondent for CBS News, Nidia led the network's West Coast political and immigration coverage, with a specialized focus on the Latino vote. She previously served as a CBS News Campaign Reporter in Washington, D.C., spending nearly a year embedded... Read More →

Friday June 19, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

1:30pm CDT

Change Is a Choice

Friday June 19, 2026 1:30pm - 2:25pm CDT

Exhibit Hall A

Change does not happen on its own. It happens because people decide to act, organize, speak up, and stay in the fight even when the outcome is uncertain. Latino communities know this reality well. This plenary focuses on leadership, movement building, and the choices communities make during moments of pressure and political uncertainty. Speakers will reflect on what it means to lead with courage, how organizations sustain momentum, and why coalition building and civic participation still matter. The future is not something that simply happens to us. It is something people choose to shape together.

Speakers

Juan Proaño

Chief Executive Officer, LULAC

Héctor E. Sánchez Barba

President and CEO, Mi Familia Vota

Héctor Sánchez Barba is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mi Familia Vota, one of the nation's leading Latino civic engagement organizations. A nationally recognized advocate for civil rights and democracy, he has dedicated his career to building Latino political power, expanding... Read More →

Katharine Pichardo

President and CEO, Latino Victory Project

Katharine Pichardo is a trailblazer who has melded political organizing expertise and executive leadership to become a widely recognized change-maker in the governmental, political, and civic arena.

As president and CEO of Latino Victory, she takes charge of a mission perfectly suited to her 25 years of experience as a successful leader and passionate advocate: building political power within the Latino community and ensuring that Latino voices are included in the nation’s... Read More →

Rafael Collazo

Senior Director, Political Campaigns, UnidosUS

Rafael Collazo is the director of political campaigns for UnidosUS. He leverages the organization’s national network of leaders and Affiliate partners to advocate for federal and state legislation that opens the doors of opportunity for Hispanics and all Americans. Rafael also leads... Read More →

Friday June 19, 2026 1:30pm - 2:25pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

2:30pm CDT

TOWN HALL — Where Do We Go From Here?

Friday June 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT

Exhibit Hall A

This town hall brings the conversation directly to the community. At a time of political division, economic pressure, immigration crackdowns, and attacks on civil rights, people are looking for honest conversation and practical direction. Leaders, advocates, and attendees will come together for an open discussion about what Latino communities are facing right now and what comes next. The format is straightforward: real questions, direct answers, and a shared conversation about organizing, coalition building, civic engagement, education, economic opportunity, and protecting democracy in 2026 and beyond.

Speakers

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Immigration Advocate and Digital Creator

Carlos Eduardo Espina is a prominent nonprofit director, legal scholar, and the most-followed Latino activist in the United States, dedicated to the socio-political upliftment of the immigrant community. Born in Uruguay and raised in Texas, Espina’s lifelong commitment to advocacy... Read More →

Friday June 19, 2026 2:30pm - 3:30pm CDT
Exhibit Hall A

Plenary Session

4:00pm CDT

9:00am CDT

10:00am CDT

11:00am CDT

2:00pm CDT

2:30pm CDT

3:00pm CDT

9:30am CDT

10:45am CDT

1:30pm CDT

2:30pm CDT

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