Join the Young Latino Network as we commemorate the 2024 edition of Noche de Guayabera! This annual event serves as a celebration and fundraiser, dedicated to honoring the remarkable individuals, groups, and organizations within our community who are actively championing positive change.

Each year, we proudly recognize outstanding members of our comunidad who exemplify dedication to inclusivity, diversity, advocacy, and social equity. This year’s esteemed awardees are:

Libre Award: Rosa Beltré

The Libre Award honors individuals who exemplify the true spirit of a freedom fighter, relentlessly advocating for our community’s rights, freedoms, and justice. This esteemed accolade celebrates those who have dedicated their lives to upholding the principles of liberty, standing up for what is right, and inspiring positive change.

Rosa Beltré is an Afro-Taina-Latiné leader that stands at the forefront of the fight against sexual violence as the dynamic President & CEO of the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence (OAESV). With an unwavering commitment to advocacy and justice, Rosa has dedicated her career to empowering survivors and reshaping societal norms.

In addition to her pivotal role at OAESV, Rosa is deeply engaged in various advisory boards and committees, including past leadership positions in the State of Ohio Anti-Oppression and Accountability Committee and the Women of Color Caucus of the State of Ohio. Her unwavering dedication to Women of Color empowerment, leadership development, and collaboration continues to inspire those striving for a more just and equitable society.

Carmen Nieves-Rolon Volunteer Service Award: Nichole Lopez

The Carmen Nieves-Rolon Volunteer Service Award honors the life and legacy of Carmen Nieves-Rolon. Carmen’s tenacity and dedication to servant leadership will live on and are continuously embodied by YLN volunteers. 

Nichole Lopez is the Watershed Coordinator at Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District and a member of YLN’s Latine Environmental Colectivo. She advocates for water quality protection and conservation efforts through educational resources, community outreach, resource management, and project implementation.

As a recent transplant to Cleveland, Nichole has been finding her way through our community and trying to give back as a big thanks to those who have welcomed her with open arms. From sharing her passion for environmental stewardship and sustainability to lending a hand at local events and community endeavors, she is grateful to be surrounded by such resilient and generous individuals.

Democracy Builder Award: Claudia Longo

YLN’s Democracy Builder Award is presented to an individual that has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building an equitable democracy and ensuring that the Latine community has a voice in this democracy.

Claudia Longo was born in Uruguay and has called Cleveland home since 2002. Currently serving as the Raíz Program Manager at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Claudia dedicates her efforts to expanding reproductive rights and abortion access for the Latine community in Northeast Ohio, while also fostering political empowerment within this demographic.

Claudia is an active member of the Ohio Immigrant Alliance board, where she collaborates with immigrants and citizens alike to safeguard the rights and dignity of all individuals choosing Ohio as their residence. Through her activism and volunteer work, she bridges communities statewide, amplifying their voices and collective influence to ensure accountability among our leaders.

Movement Builder Award: Juan Carlos Medina

YLN’s Movement Builder Award recognizes exceptional individuals who have played a pivotal role in galvanizing communities and spearheading initiatives to bridge gaps within a designated sector or field. This accolade celebrates their unwavering dedication and innovative approach to organizing and mobilizing community members towards impactful change.

Juan Carlos Medina was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Cleveland in 2018. He is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Dominican Club of Cleveland and he is a dedicated career coach committed to empowering individuals within the Latine community and across the Greater Cleveland area to attain success and self-reliance. Renowned for his exceptional leadership and volunteerism, Juan Carlos consistently mobilizes teams to participate enthusiastically in YLN events.

Partner of the Year Award: ThirdSpace Action Lab

YLN’s Partner of the Year Award is presented to an organization or group that has supported the Young Latino Network throughout the year. The YLN Partner of the Year demonstrates aligned values, serves as a thought partner to YLN and strongly supports our mission and vision. This partner is committed to bringing YLN to the table and supporting our mission and vision.

ThirdSpace Action Lab was established to break the harmful cycle of disinvestment and displacement that impacts low-income communities of color. As a grassroots research, strategy, and design cooperative, they focus on developing innovative place-based solutions to achieve racial equity. By transforming evidence-based strategies into practical actions, they co-create empowering “third spaces” for people of color.

Social Impact Award: Dr. Shereen Naser

YLN’s Social Impact Award honors a person or group who actively seeks to operationalize their privilege to challenge historical, institutional, and structural barriers to Black, Indigenous Peoples, and People of Color through peer education, advocacy, policy development, or other transformative actions that impact the political or social determinants of health in nuestra comunidad.

Dr. Shereen Nasib Naser is an associate professor of psychology at Cleveland State University, a founding member of the Cleveland Palestinian Advocacy Community, a board member of OPAWL-Building AAPI Feminist Leadership and a member of the Palestinian Feminist Collective.

In her various roles both in academia and in the community, Dr. Naser works to support understanding of our joint struggles, for example cohosting the “Break Barriers-Break Bread” event alongside YLN, a space where Latine and Palestinian Clevelanders could forge relationships over food.

Join us in honoring these remarkable individuals at The Madison on Friday, July 19th. Secure your tickets now!