The National Chavez Center, in partnership with California State University Bakersfield and the Dolores Huerta Foundation, hosted the inaugural Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference at CSUB and La Paz on October 3 and 4. The two-day conference, themed “Latinos in Politics: Our Vote, Our Voice, Our Impact” for 2024, featured renowned speakers such as Dolores Huerta and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia. The event included panel discussions and scholarly explorations covering such issues as Latinas in public life and the impact of Proposition 187.

We spoke with Andres Chavez, Executive Director of the National Chavez Center and steering committee member of the Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference. He shared insights on Cesar Chavez’s legacy, Villa La Paz, and the Center’s role in inspiring future leaders, as well as the conference speakers and program.

1. How does the partnership between California State University Bakersfield and the National Chavez Center contribute to sustaining and expanding the legacy of Cesar Chavez in Kern County and beyond?

If you boil down the work of both CSUB and the National Chavez Center to their core, you’ll see we have parallel missions. At the end of the day, we are both working to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders. To partner with CSUB on the inaugural Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference was extremely fitting.

Conference attendees visit Cesar Chavez’s burial site at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument with Cesar’s son and Chavez Foundation Chairman of the Board Paul Chavez.

Fitting not only because CSUB’s main campus is miles from where so many important historic events took place, but also because the students who attend the university share similar backgrounds to Cesar. Much of Cesar’s legacy is defined by his ability to get ordinary people to do extraordinary things and to believe in themselves. And though, he may no longer be around to do this directly, we can take comfort in knowing that we continue his work by developing the next generation of change makers and do good-ers through this conference.

The conference was met with warm reception and many of the folks involved saw the opportunity for it to scale into a statewide and national conference.

2. What specific values or lessons from Cesar Chavez’s life are most important for today’s young leaders to understand and carry forward, especially regarding service and community impact?

Cesar taught us many important lessons. But I believe the most important lessons and values for young leaders to know is importance of service, unity and the Si Se Puede attitude.

Conference attendees tour the Cesar E Chavez National Monument’s visitor center with National Chavez Center Executive Director Andres.

My Tata Cesar once said, “it is my deepest belief that only by giving lives do we find life.” At the very heart of this statement is the value of service. What I share with young people, especially college students, is that service can take place in so many different ways. Cesar was of service by being an organizer and activist. But we know that’s not the only way to be of service to your community. You can do it through medicine, law, education, art… the list goes on and on.

Additionally, what gave Cesar and the movement power was their ability to work with folks from all backgrounds. The movement was spurred by Filipinos and Latinos coming together and flourished by engaging people from all backgrounds, races, and corners of this country.

I end with the Si Se Puede attitude because this value was the heart and spirit of the movement and what made Cesar who he is. What most people don’t realize is that Cesar and the movement had more defeats than they had victories. But it was how they responded to those defeats that defined their legacy. They simply never gave up. If we can embody the same attitude and spirit, there is no stopping what we can do.

3. Cesar Chavez envisioned a future where farmworkers and marginalized communities had strong leaders advocating for their rights. How do you see the Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference’s role in realizing that vision?

This year’s conference focused on the importance of civic engagement. The conference thoughtfully weaved together diverse subjects, histories, and voices to show the many ways students can be involved in the civic affairs of their community. It showed that everybody has a role to play and the ability to create change

The Chavez and Huerta Leadership Conference cohort enjoys lunch at the historic Villa La Paz at the National Chavez Center.

I’ll also add that we literally saw students transform overnight. On day one of the conference, we had some challenges getting students to engage with and ask the speakers and panelists questions. When we arrived at the National Chavez Center on day two, the students and participants were full of questions and not afraid to make their voices heard. It was truly remarkable. The best part is that we are just getting started.

4. Looking ahead, what are some key areas where you hope to see growth and increased engagement from Latino leaders in civic spaces, and how can the National Chavez Center support that mission?

This question makes me think back to what my Tata Cesar once said: “If you want to remember me, organize!”

There are many important issues and areas to work on. The only advice I’d give is to get involved. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. And always remember the words Si Se Puede.