Back in February 2017 Acción Latina embarked on a new direction in leadership when the Mission-raised artist and educator, Josué Rojas stepped up as Executive Director, taking over for Georgiana Hernandez. “Without a background in non-profit administration, I did not know what to expect. I could not have predicted the many wonderful ways the experience would change me.” Rojas states, “I have learned the true meaning of community-informed, media & arts leadership in the service of empowerment for Latinx communities. Acción Latina already had such a great presence –– I really wanted to make a place for artists, thinkers and young people.” Rojas said.
Four years later, to the day –– Rojas will depart to pursue his lifelong vocation in the creative arts. Effective February 1, 2021, Josué Rojas will step down as Executive Director of Acción Latina. In his place, Fátima Ramírez, current Deputy Director, will serve as Interim Executive Director for the legacy organization.
“The first time I walked into Acción Latina was actually to check out Josue’s 2016 “¡Gentromancer!” solo exhibition!” Ramírez said. “I became excited about the many ways in which we could attract people to gather and engage in meaningful dialogue in this beautiful community gallery. I felt like there was a lot of good energy in the space, and I just wanted to keep coming back!” Rojas later invited Ramírez to join the Juan R. Fuentes Curatorial Committee and in early 2019 Ramirez joined the staff as Cultural Arts Manager. Since then, the Acción Latina team has reached unprecedented milestones, serving 15,000 people with 55 original events in 2019, raising $250,000 and persevering in 2020, while celebrating El Tecolote’s 50th year in service to our community, and effectively evolving toward a comprehensive online plan that will launch in 2021.
Ramírez states, “It is an honor and a great responsibility to guide the organization during this transition. We are developing a lot of new, exciting journalism and cultural arts projects, and I am excited to help them launch!” Ramirez said. “El Tecolote is soaring to new heights in 2021! Pretty soon folks will be able to listen to our award-winning journalism via our new podcast, Radio Teco. We will also be hosting a new series of dynamic cultural arts events that will activate five decades of El Tecolote’s rich archive!”
Of his time at Accion Latina, Rojas said, “I have enjoyed working with respected friends and colleagues and, more than anything, I am excited for the future of the organization! I have full faith in this team. Fátima is a visionary and a true creative at heart. If anyone can lead this org into a bright new era of innovation and excellence, she can!”
Please join us in bidding good luck to Josué and in welcoming incoming leader, Fátima Ramirez as she prepares to take the reins of a beloved institution with five decades of service to the Latinx community in the Bay Area and beyond.
Con todo nuestro cariño,
The Acción Latina team
