Tennessee Voices, Episode 275: Martha Silva and Tara Lentz, Conexión Américas
After the 2000 U.S. Census, Tennessee leaders began to realize that the Latino population was booming in the state.
That trend has accelerated over the last 20 years with the 2020 Census showing marked growth in 94 of the state's 95 counties.
In 2002, Conexión Américas formed as a nonprofit organization to serve the needs of Hispanic residents with educational, leadership and entrepreneurial training and assistance. It has served a critical need, created a community center for immigrant and refugee services through Casa Azafrán on Nolensville Pike in South Nashville, and delivered millions of dollars of financial assistance to residents as COVID-19 harmed residents' health and jobs.
I have had the opportunity to interview past founders and executive directors on the Tennessee Voices video podcast, and for this episode, I present my conversation with the current leaders, Co-Executive Directors Martha Silva and Tara Lentz.
They began their involvement with Conexión Américas as interns or volunteers and their passion and love for their work has grown.
They spoke about the past, but also about their vision for the future.
On May 6, Conexión Américas will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a hybrid virtual/in-person fundraiser, The Cafecito, to honor two decades of work and build its future.
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About Tennessee Voices
The Tennessee Voices videocast is a 20-minute program, which started in March 2020 and invites leaders, thinkers and innovators who have written guest columns for a USA TODAY Network Tennessee publication to share their insights and wisdom with me and our viewers.
Please email your ideas for future guests to me at dplazas@tennessean.com. Thank you for watching.
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David Plazas is the director of opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Tennessee and an editorial board member of The Tennessean. Tweet to him at @davidplazas.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Voices: Conexión Américas with Martha Silva and Tara Lentz
