Latino Voices and Perspectives on Voting: Co-hosted by The Hispanic Roundtable

John Flores

Professor of Immigration & Labor History

Case Western Reserve University

John H. Flores is a Professor of Immigration & Labor History at Case Western Reserve University, and his research centers on recovering the lost history of Latin American immigrant political activism in the United States.  His book, The Mexican Revolution in Chicago, traces the political activities of immigrants back to Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, and other countries, revealing the Latin American social movements that created the Mexican American community of Chicago.  Professor Flores teaches courses on Latina/os, immigration, labor, and race

Elia Burgos

Latino Community Outreach Coordinator

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections

Elia Burgos is the Latino Community Outreach Coordinator at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.  For almost two years, she has been a constant liaison between the board of elections and numerous grassroots organizations, leading voter registration and education.  Graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico with a bachelor’s degree in political science.  She completed a Juris Doctor at her Alma Mater and is a licensed attorney in Puerto Rico’s state and federal court.  Currently, she is continuing her education at Cleveland Marshall College of Law, where she will get her Master of  Legal Studies in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy next summer.

Yoshamar Pinal-Alfaro

Voting Outreach Team at CWRU

Case Western Reserve University

Yoshmar Pinal-Alfaro is a rising fourth year political science student at Case Western Reserve University. Originally from East San Jose, California, he embraces his Mexican-American identity and taps into his family history for strength, support, and guidance. As a member of the Voting Outreach Team at CWRU, Yoshmar helps register students to vote and shares resources to help students actually cast their ballots

Daniel Ortiz

Outreach Director

Policy Matters Ohio

Daniel Ortiz is the outreach director for Policy Matters Ohio. A native of Lorain, Ohio and graduate of Oberlin College, Ortiz joined Policy Matters in 2016 and brings 15 years’ experience in organizing, campaign strategy and education. Before his work with Policy Matters Daniel worked at the local, state and national level leading campaigns and managing key partnerships across the Midwest and the South. Since returning to Ohio, Daniel has been an advocate for voting rights, a complete count in the 2020 Census, policies that increase equity and help all communities thrive. He draws from experience as a teacher and work as a campaign professional to develop programs that connect Policy Matters research with the community.

Daniel is a member of the Hispanic Roundtable and Young Latino Network. He previously served on the board of the Hispanic Alliance.

Fatima Rahman

President of the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative

Case Western Reserve University

Fatima Rahman is a fourth-year student majoring in International studies and completing a 3+1 Master's in Nonprofit Management, from New Orleans, Louisiana.



This year, she serves as the President of the Undergraduate Diversity Collaborative, and is an active member in La Alianza and First CWRU. She is also a student assistant at the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Center for International Affairs.

Selina Marie Pagán

President

The Young Latino Network

Selina Marie Pagán is a young Latinx professional, born and raised in the city of Cleveland. Her parents migrated from Puerto Rico, moving from state to state until they settled down to start their own businesses on the near-west side of Cleveland in the early 90’s. As a young adult, Selina would work at her father’s jewelry store after school and on the weekends. She graduated from Saint Martin de Porres high school in 2014.

Ms. Pagán started her career at the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development in 2014 while at the same time beginning her undergraduate studies at Cleveland State University. Ms. Pagán has led grassroot efforts in the Latino community of Northeast Ohio. She has coordinated networking event for Latino entrepreneurs, convened local artists, and hosted a number of community events that range from cultural festivals to community street clean-ups. She was elected as the President of the Young Latino Network in the fall of 2017. She continues to fight for young Latinx professionals day to day and continues to work collaboratively with the many Latinx social serving agencies throughout northeast Ohio.

Selina was selected by Crain’s Cleveland Business Magazine as one of the 2017 Twenty in Their 20’s. She joined the Newburgh Heights Community Improvement Corporation board of directors and the Alliance for the Great Lakes Young Professional Council in 2017. Ms. Pagán received recognition as a Northeast Ohio Top 25 Under 35 Movers & Shakers in March 2018. She graduated from Cleveland State University with a double major in Urban Studies - Public Management and Economic Development in May 2018. In August of 2018, Ms. Pagán was recognized as the Madrina (“Godmother”) of the 2018 Puerto Rican Parade by the Hispanic Police Officers Association and the Julia de Burgos Cultural Arts Center. She was also nominated by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation and selected by the National Football League and Nationwide to be recognized and to receive a 2018 Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award on September 20th, 2018.