Growing up, do you remember seeing Latino/a scientists, tech developers, engineers, or mathematicians? I don't. Today, how often do we see or hear from them across mainstream media or in textbooks? A simple answer is not often enough. As a young boy I used to think that once in a great while, Latinos became doctors, top athletes, or engineers, but – once in a while. It was as if they almost didn't exist. No one ever said this to me, but their absence meant something. As a 10-year-old, it is very easy to make these simplifications based on what we see – or not see. Still, these simple ideologies can unknowingly become realities that guide what we believe in, how we think, and what we do. Learning certainly occurs from all people and in all places, but there is great value is seeing, hearing, and learning from someone that looks like us.

               I grew up, struggled along the way, wondered a lot, but found my way. I became a teacher – that's what we’re supposed to become right? I started with preschoolers and worked my way to up to the university level. Throughout the years and across all education levels, I’ve come across countless young boys and girls, and also young men and women just like me. Ready, willing, and well beyond capable, but struggling to gain relatable perspectives to better understand “what do I want to be when I grow up?”, or “what can I be when I grow up?”. How many don’t find important answers to such important questions? Growing up, and even all grown up, these seemingly simple questions can be so hard to answer at the time.

               The truth, I’ve come to realize, is that I was wrong. They're out there – everywhere. There are countless Latino/a scientists, tech developers, engineers, and mathematicians. And they’re making a difference, building, creating, inventing, designing, leading, and giving back across all communities. But there’s a major problem! Far too often, they are doing all of these amazing things quietly, behind the scenes where young boys and girls who wish to walk their path cannot see them. And so this project was born to find them, understand their convictions, celebrate their admirable accomplishments, and bring visibility to their contributions on the global stage, Latino Community stage, that is. The goal is to present those who wish to share their stories in all of their true complexities – doubtful, stubborn, angry, weak, confused, ignored, marginalized and enraged, but also strong, willful, resourceful, resilient, determined, and unwaveringly committed to not allow anything stand in their way as they pursued empowerment through education and meaningful careers that contribute to all American cities. In doing so, we can capture, share and preserve our cultural and intellectual wealth for the current and future generations of Latino/a aspiring students. I hope you join us.