Local youth, families attend Latino Role Models conference at Cabrillo College

Annual event features Latino professionals and college students, aims to inspire next generation

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Local youth and their families participated in the Latino Role Models conference on Saturday at the Crocker Theater at Cabrillo College. Presented by the nonprofit Senderos, the free annual event for Santa Cruz County students from sixth grade to college featured panel presentations, a resource fair, lunch, and a keynote speech by Chicana Latina Foundation Executive Director Adriana Ayala.

Why it matters

The Latino Role Models conference aims to inspire and empower the next generation of Latino leaders by connecting them with successful Latino professionals across various fields. As a majority-minority county, Santa Cruz has a large and growing Latino population that the conference seeks to support through mentorship, resources, and celebration of Latino heritage.

The details

Saturday's conference included panel presentations featuring Latino professionals such as a city economic director, an entrepreneur, a health equity director, and a police officer. There were also college and community information tables, a resource fair, and door prizes. The event was presented by Senderos, a Santa Cruz-based nonprofit that promotes Latino heritage and provides educational and arts programming for youth and families.

  • The Latino Role Models conference takes place annually in Santa Cruz County.

The players

Senderos

A Santa Cruz-based, volunteer-driven nonprofit that creates 'pathways' (or senderos in Spanish) to success for the Latino community through free, culturally rooted arts and education programs.

Adriana Ayala

The 2026 Keynote Speaker and Executive Director of the Chicana Latina Foundation.

Dolores Huerta

A past speaker at the Latino Role Models conference, known as an activist and co-founder of the National Farmworkers Association (now the United Farm Workers).

Juan R. Fuentes

A past speaker at the Latino Role Models conference, known as an artist.

Jose M. Hernandez

A past speaker at the Latino Role Models conference, known as an astronaut.

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The takeaway

By providing mentorship, resources, and a celebration of Latino heritage, the Latino Role Models conference plays an important role in supporting the growth and success of Santa Cruz County's large and vibrant Latino community.