our HISTORY
In 2009 a coalition of Central American leaders joined together to discuss the new proposed Koreatown boundaries. In the middle of a contentious debate, it became clear that our entire Latino community needed to organize and share their recommendations to ensure that we and other marginalized groups were included in the redevelopment plans of the Koreatown-Pico Union corridors.
It was then that the Latino Coalition of Los Angeles was born. LCLA brought together Korean, Bangladeshi, Mexican and Central American Leaders to lay out an equitable and transparent designation of community boundaries that reflected the demographics of the diverse communities.
Among the first key victories of LCLA was its ability to partner with state officials to create an official El Salvador Corridor in 2010. The City of Los Angeles followed suit in 2013 and made the El Salvador Corridor an official city village. In the years between, LCLA championed the election of progressive Latino leaders within the local neighborhood and city councils, including helping to elect LA Mayor Eric Garcetti and LA City Council President Emeritus, Herb Wesson.
In the years since its inception, LCLA has engaged over 6,000 community members, championed 25 campaign victories, advocated for 55 transformative policies—all achieved through our dedicated LCLA active membership and community partners
founder
Raul Claros
Founder
Raul A. Claros, Co-Founder of Reimagine LA Foundation: For over a decade, Raul’s mission has been to fight for equity and inclusion for the youth and families of Los Angeles County. His work in Pico Union & South L.A. as a teacher, youth coach, nonprofit program director as well as a community and political organizer, led Raul to work as a Field Representative for the California State Assembly as well as a Deputy for the office of the Los Angeles City Council President. His tireless work in education as a teacher for nine years, allowed him to work with the children and their families on empowering their leadership and advocacy skills. As a nonprofit director, Raul helped provide direct wrap-around services for families in need. His work with gang interventions/community peacekeepers and as Founder of the Latino Coalition of Los Angeles (501c4) and University Little League (501c3), has exposed him to real practical ways on how to deal with our public safety, public health and quality of life challenges in LA County. During Raul’s tenure with the California State Legislature as a Field Representative, Raul lead the project for the El Salvador Community Corridor (ACR126) that was Co-Authored by Assemblymember Mike Davis and Speaker John Perez, which today is made up of over eighty local businesses who have developed their own association and business incubator center, officially designated by the Los Angeles City Council in March 2013 after being recognized by the CA State Legislature in 2010. Over the last five years (2015-2020), Raul has served as a LA City Commissioner on the Affordable Housing Commission and as the Executive Director for the Northern Valleys Chapter of the American Red Cross-Los Angeles Region, becoming the first Central American to ever hold that position. During his time with the American Red Cross, Raul led the ARC team in the most dangerous wild-fire response in state history, through the most recent and largest earthquakes in Southern California in past 20 years, and in developing community coalitions across LA County, focused on building emergency preparedness, disaster response and community resiliency. Raul’s most recent accomplishment has found him as Principal Owner of Uno Partners Incorporated, a strategic consulting firm founded in 2017, based out of downtown Los Angeles. His proudest accomplishment has been being the father of his five year old daughter Valentina and of his ministry through the Church of Christ in LA County.
CONTACT Us
LCLA PresidentOUR ADDRESS
506 S Spring St.
Suite 13714
Los Angeles CA 90013