Building a New Seat at the Table: Reflections on our Inaugural Latino Youth Day at the Capitol
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Minnesota State Capitol is a place of profound history, but for many young adults in our community, it has long felt inaccessible. On Monday, March 30th, that narrative shifted. In a powerful collaboration between LatinoLEAD, the Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA), Latinos in Comunidad (LIC), and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers– Twin Cities (SHPE TC), Latine students and young professionals stepped into the historic Vault to claim their place in the legislative process.
This initiative was born from a simple but urgent necessity: to bridge the gap between our emerging leaders and the systems that dictate their daily lives. By centering young adults ages 18–25, we focused on a critical transition period—the moment when students become professionals and navigate formal systems for the first time. We didn't just want to show them the building; we wanted to hand them the keys to the rooms where the rules are made.
A Powerhouse Collaboration
What made this day so impactful was the strength of the partnership behind it. This wasn't the work of a single organization, but a grassroots-to-legislative coalition. MCLA provided the essential legislative bridge, ensuring students had access to the officials representing them. Latinos in Comunidad kept the day energized in community-focused advocacy, while SHPE Twin Cities brought a vital technical perspective, reminding everyone that policy affects every sector from engineering to education and beyond. Together, we demonstrated that advocacy is a collective effort.
Inside the "Vault": What Happened on the Hill
The day was designed as an immersive "leadership lab." We reviewed the real world definitions of policy and dove straight into the application. In the heart of the building, students participated in roundtable "speed-round" sessions with Latine lawmakers at the city, county, and state levels. These weren't formal lectures; they were honest, face-to-face exchanges about the journey into public service and the advice these leaders have for those following in their footsteps. The leaders present included:
Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
Parks Commissioner Member Kay Karavajal Moran
Hopkins City Council Member Heidi Garrido
Former Richfield City Council Member Simon Trautmann
Mayor of Colombia Heights Amada Marquez Simula
Representative Maria Isa Perez Vega
Committee Administrator for Minnesota Senate Mikayla Mtanous
Former Senate Minority Leader Melissa Lopez Franzen
Robbinsdale City Council Member Alejandro Carceres-Arana
Public Engagement Liaison for the Governor's Office Regina Olono Vidales
Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega
State Senator (District 54) Senator Eric R. Pratt
State Representative (District 39B) Sandra Feist
State Representative (District 40B) David Gottfried
State Representative (District 38B) Samantha Vang
After a grounding lunch from El Burrito Mercado (175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107), the energy shifted from conversation to action. Students participated in a hands-on advocacy workshop, learning how to deliver issue sheets and use their lived experiences as their most powerful tool. The afternoon culminated in direct legislative visits, where groups of students met with representatives to practice their new skills in real-time.
Looking Forward
As we gathered for a final group photo in front of the Minnesota State Capitol, the atmosphere was one of empowerment. “Approximately 30% of Minnesota’s Latine population is between the ages of 18–25, representing a significant and rising generation on the cusp of civic and workforce engagement. Latine Minnesotans also have one of the highest labor force participation rates in the state, underscoring both their contributions and potential and disparities in postsecondary attainment persist. This is exactly why intentional civic engagement programming matters. It builds knowledge, confidence, belonging, and a direct bridge into leadership, advocacy, and career pathways. When we invest in young people, especially those historically underrepresented, we strengthen not just participation, but the future of Minnesota itself,” noted our LatinoLEAD Advocacy Manager, Sabrina Tapia.
This day was a reminder that when we invest in individual development, we strengthen our collective power. These student leaders walked out of the Capitol not just as visitors, but as key decision makers ready to advance our influence and build coalitions for positive change across Minnesota.
Special Thanks to our Partners:
Minnesota Council on Latino Affairs (MCLA), Latinos in Comunidad (LIC), SHPE Twin Cities, and the COPAL Youth Committee.
