Our history is dotted with examples of immigrant communities finding their unified voice and identity. Nothing amplifies the virtues of the American Dream as loudly as the blossoming of a new immigrant community.

The Latino population is growing in leaps and bounds every year. The latest census figures estimate that the Latino population has reached about 65 million nationwide and is about 20% of our total population. Latinos continue to be the fastest-growing demographic in the United States.

But Latinos are not a homogenous demographic; We are composed of many races and ethnicities and political affiliations. The Latinx community in the United States represents 22 different nationalities.

The Latinx community has become an economic powerhouse that continues to shape the essence of the United States. The most critical piece and challenge of this new Latino revival will be creating a new Latino conspicuousness of Hispanidad. Our Latino identity must tap into our common Language and our Spanish, Native American, and African Heritage.

We are at the cusp of a massive shift to lead our nation to a more prosperous and equitable society. Latinos continue to reassess the traditional political parties in this new revival. In the coming decades, both the Republican Party and Democratic party must seriously evaluate their strategies to engage and maintain the loyalty of such a complex block of voters.

Latinos hold conservatives’ values of independence, patriotism, and mistrust of too much government power. At the same time, new immigrants appreciate the importance of social programs that support the community. Thus Latinos are ripe for a new form of centrist politics that is more objective and stands clear of radical ideologies.

A group of parents formed Latinos for Education Advocacy and Diversity to be an active voice for families throughout Connecticut. LEAD’s mission is based on four pillars: Educational Options, Financial Literacy, Civic Engagement, and Latin American History and Culture.

LEAD understands that through a system of excellent educational options such as charter schools and more vocational programs, our communities will have a mechanism for opportunities and growth. Our families and small business owners will have access to the tools to achieve financial independence and improve their quality of life through financial literacy.

LEAD is determined to open a charter school on Main street Danbury in order to ease some of the overcrowding and provide a much-needed educational option. This charter school will serve grades 6-12 and will serve 770 students. The school will ensure that all 770 of the seats in our charter school go to Danbury residents. The school will be a public school that will allow the city to expand its capacity without being a burden to our taxpayers. We are confident that by next year we will overcome the opposition by our Danbury delegation and will look forward to the ribbon cutting for our new school.

LEAD knows that through civic engagement, our community will see the value of participating in our political system. Our community will understand the importance of registering to vote, voting, running for office, becoming citizens, and navigating our political system to more effectively advocate for themselves and our community.

LEAD will become an authority on Latin American History and Culture. Our shared history and contributions are a critical unifying piece that will give community members pride and a sense of belonging in the United States.

Until the rest of the country learns of the contributions made by Latinos and until all Latinos feel pride in this nation and realize that we have also been significant contributors, we will never develop that feeling of belonging.

We have grown from a group trying to open a charter school to a state-wide movement that will eventually become a national voice of unity and purpose for all Latinos.

LEAD offers a path of empowerment, self-sufficiency, and pride. We have the essence of sugar cane in our bones and the fantastic legacy of empires in our blood. With flavor, with rhythm in our steps, Latinos will move forward. Without having to conform to the status quo, we will chart a new shining path.

Jose Lucas Pimentel is Chief Executive Officer of Latinos For Educational Advocacy and Diversity.