Divulgando la cultura en dos idiómas.

Cordoba receives Othli Award

On Tuesday (Sept. 12), the Consulate of Mexico held its Othli Award ceremony at the KCP&L corporate headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., to recognize the work of Dr. Luis Cordoba, executive director of student intervention programs at Kansas City Public Schools.
The Othli Award is granted to a Mexican, Mexican-American or Latino leader leaving a long-lasting impact on the community. The consulate recognized Cordoba for his efforts in reducing crime and charting a path to success for Latino youth.
When Cordoba learned he had been chosen for the award, he said he was in awe.
“I was surprised,” he said. “I felt that I wasn’t worthy of this award because this is what I do for a living.”
Cordoba’s dedication to the Hispanic community began during the early 1990s, when his job was to help local youth break away from gangs and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
“I had a caseload of about 10 young men who were involved with gangs – and my job was to reduce their association with drugs and reduce the violence,” Cordoba recalled. “And that was my beginning (of) working with youth and helping them identify with people they could trust.”
Over the years, Cordoba saw his efforts pay off. He recalled one student who had artistic potential and encouraged him to focus on his talent. Fast forward to today: That student is an in-demand tattoo artist in Kansas City, Mo.’s Westport area, Cordoba said. He also has trained the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department in race relations and set up support programs for immigrants.
But Cordoba believes there’s more he can do.
“There’s always work to be done – and probably beyond my death,” Cordoba said. “(But) as long as I have a foundation to stand on, which is our rights, this is what I will continue to do until I die.”


Córdoba recibió Premio Othli

Story by Melissa Arroyo and photos by Michael Alvarado

El martes (12 de septiembre), el Consulado de México celebró su ceremonia de premiación Othli en la sede corporativa de KCP&L en Kansas City, Missouri, para reconocer la labor del Dr. Luis Córdoba, director ejecutivo de programas de intervención estudiantil en Kansas City Public Schools .
El Premio Othli es otorgado a un líder mexicano, mexico-americano o latino que ha dejando un impacto duradero en la comunidad. El consulado reconoció a Córdoba por sus esfuerzos para reducir el crímen y trazar un camino hacia el éxito para la juventud latina.
Cuando Córdoba se enteró de que había sido elegido para el premio, dijo que estaba asombrado.
“Me sorprendí”, dijo. “Sentí que no era digno de este premio porque esto es lo que hago para ganarme la vida”.
La dedicación de Córdoba a la comunidad hispana comenzó a principios de los 90, cuando su trabajo era ayudar a los jóvenes locales a separarse de las pandillas y animarlos a alcanzar sus sueños.
“Tenía un número de aproximadamente 10 jóvenes que estaban involucrados con pandillas – y mi trabajo era reducir su asociación con drogas y reducir la violencia”, recordó Córdoba. “Y ese fue mi principio de trabajar con la juventud y ayudarlos a identificarse con gente en quien confiar”.
A lo largo de los años, Córdoba vio el fruto de sus esfuerzos. Recordó a un estudiante que tenía potencial artístico y lo animó a centrarse en su talento. Ese estudiante es un artista de tatuaje en demanda en el área de Westport en Kansas City, Missouri, dijo Córdoba. También ha entrenado al Departamento de Policía de Kansas City, Missouri, en relaciones raciales y ha establecido programas de apoyo para inmigrantes.
Pero Córdoba cree que hay más que puede hacer.
“Siempre hay trabajo por hacer – y probablemente más allá de mi muerte”, dijo Córdoba. “(Pero) mientras tenga un fundamento para apoyar nuestros derechos, es lo que seguiré haciendo hasta que muera”.

Share:

More Posts

Related Posts

Early breast cancer detection matters

Commentary by Tere Siqueira Early breast cancer detection matters Regular screenings are key to detecting and treating breast cancer.Regular screenings significantly improve outcomes and survival

Letter to the editor: Question 1

Dear Editor: At Swope Health and PACE KC, Jackson County’s first and only Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, we witness every day how