Empowering Latino Futures

About Us: 

Empowering Latino Futures (ELF), formerly Latino Literacy Now, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was founded in 1997 by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler.  It is headquartered in North San Diego County. Every day we build on more than 20 years of experience working with the Latino community to bring a combination of innovative, educational, and culturally relevant resources to this diverse community. To address the array of needs, we have developed a variety of programs that focus on lowering barriers by increasing access to education and uplifting Latino voices and talent. ELF believes that an individual’s potential for greatness is only limited by their access to resources and support.

MISSION 
Our mission is to remove barriers to educational and professional success for Latinos, Latinas, and other underserved communities by creating products, services, content, partnerships, and programs that lead to equal opportunity for all.

VISION 
A world where inclusion and equity principles grant everyone access to educational, community-building, and empowerment programs, as well as opportunities to pursue their professional dreams.

EVOLUTION
The organization started as a collective effort of various individuals seeking equal opportunities for all. Frustrated that no large, public events specifically targeted the needs of the Latino community, actor Edward James Olmos, Kirk Whisler, and other community members created the first Latino Book & Family Festival in 1997 in Los Angeles. The event drew 16,242 attendees and helped open the doors to new kinds of events focused on providing helpful resources for individuals and families in the Latino community. From this event, ELF was founded.
​Over the years, ELF has grown to include a range of programs focused on empowering the Latino community. This includes developing and distributing educational resources as well as bringing together community members, experts on educational topics, and authors to promote reading and education and lift up Latino talent. Since 1997, our programs have been utilized by 1.7 million people and have directly impacted the lives of an estimated 7,500 people.

Latino Book & Family  Festivals

Education begins in the home

​ EMPOWERING LATINO
FUTURES 
​Programs:

Latino Books & Awards

Sacramento Valley Informador

North County Informador

Current News:

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NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO LATINO
​BOOK & FAMILY FESTIVAL

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SATURDAY APRIL 5, 2025
10:00 AM-3:30 PM

Help us celebrate ELF's 76th Latino Book & Family Festival! 
Be inspired by stories from our iconic keynote speakers, including the "Power of Kindness" from the young Award Winning Author Bronx Baeza in the Little Theater. Meet over 30 Latino Authors, and enjoy excerpts and anecdotes from Latino books at the Cafecito & Storytelling Tent in the Author's Village. Visit the Community Village to learn about local business, and organizations offering essential resources in the North County, and of course giveaways! Get free health screenings from local health clinics in the Health Village. Enjoy beautiful traditional Mexican Ballet Folklorico dance performances, and  a special performace by the amazingly talented LuMaya at the Entertainment Stage. Stop by the Education Village for educational resources, and the Children's Village for family friendly activities. 
You won't want to miss it! 

Exhibitor/Author/ Volunteer Info

Empowering Latino Futures presents the newly introduced San Diego Organizational Networking Database.

​We encourage you to sign up for a free member profile. Some of the incredible benefits include ​

• adding events to the Events Calendar
• including coupons in a business profile 
• Job Board postings 
• all content is linkable and completely free!

In the database you can search for Latino Owned Businesses, Women Owned, and Other Minority Owned Businesses as well as categories like food, health, professional services, and community organizations. 
Please spread the word and help make our database grow! 

VIsit the database here

Empowering Latino Futures & North County Informador are excited to announce the addition of four new and exciting eNewsletters!

• North County Informador EVENTS eNews​

• Empowering Latino Futures First Time Homebuyers Club eNews ​
  

• Emprendedores Empoderados/ Empowered Entrepreneurs, Insights for North County Latino Entrepreneurs Newsletter​

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• Empowering Latino Futures Book Club eNews

Click here for more information

Congratulations to all of the 2024 International Latino Book Awards
​Award Winning Authors!!  

¡FELICIDADES A LOS AUTORES GALARDONADOS DE LOS PREMIOS INTERNACIONALES DE LIBROS LATINOS! 

For more information visit www.latinobookawards.org
Para más información, visite www.latinobookawards.org

Our Partners