WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Dedicated to nonpartisan dialogue about the widening opportunity gap in the United States, more than 200 of the most important policy makers, thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and practitioners will converge on the California Endowment in downtown Los Angeles for “America’s Future Summit: Reimagining Opportunity in a Changing Nation,” hosted by The Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program.

At a time when race relations, discrimination, and the economic wellbeing of diverse populations is top of mind for the nation’s political, business and other influential leaders, The Aspen Institute will host a summit for a day of ideas, problem solving, and values-based exchange in a unique format combining panels, conversations and storytelling. By highlighting the newest research, best practices, and emerging innovations in the fight against poverty, the summit will be a call to action in the run-up to the 2016 Elections.

Discussants include Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti; Monica Lozano, Chair, Aspen Institute Latinos and Society Program, and one of the most respected Hispanic business leaders in the country; Julie Chavez Rodriguez, White House Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Public Engagement Angela Glover Blackwell, founder and president of PolicyLink, and Sheila Lirio Marcelo, Founder, Chairwoman and CEO of Care.com.

Press and cameras are welcome at the event and a Q&A will follow. Join the conversation live via Twitter at @AspenLatinos and @AspenInstitute, and with #FutureOfLatinos.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 16, 2016, 9 AM – 4:45 PM

WHERE: The California Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Aspen Institute founded the Latinos and Society Program in 2015 to foster learning about American Latinos and elevate their role in solving the country’s most critical issues. This policy program convenes thought leaders and voices of all backgrounds and subject matter expertise to promote understanding of how both the success of this nation – and the Latino community – are deeply intertwined. The program is developing a pipeline of Latino leaders and connecting them to Institute programs and networks to foster collaboration and help set policy changes into motion. Its vision is to develop a more informed citizenry, and promote the engagement of all people in securing a prosperous and inclusive future for America. To learn more about the program, follow @AspenLatinos, or visit http://aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/latinos-society

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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Aug. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Believing both the Republican and Democrat presidential candidates hold beliefs and policy positions that are at odds with Evangelical Hispanics, Florida pastor Eddie Rodriguez has begun a campaign to urge like-minded Hispanic voters to not pander to either side. Instead he is challenging fellow Latinos to stick by their core beliefs, even if it means not supporting either candidate for President in 2016, unless they demonstrate significant changes in their representations or rhetoric.

“With more Hispanics self-identifying as Evangelical, Latinos are becoming an important voting block; we need to show the candidates and the parties that our vote is not a given, but rather must be earned,” said Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, founder of A Place Called Hope Church in West Palm Beach, Florida, is a board member of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC), the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization representing 40,000 churches in America and another 500,000 worldwide. He previously served as the superintendent of the Florida Multicultural District of the Assemblies of God, and also founded Love Tabernacle In West Palm Beach and a church in Asuncion, Paraguay. 

In urging his fellow Latinos to abstain from supporting either 2016 presidential candidate, Rodriguez stresses the main points in which Hispanic Evangelical’s differ from them. In addition to Republican candidate Donald Trump’s lack of a social or financial plan for the country, Rodriguez noted that his rhetoric shows a lack of compassion for the disenfranchised, including immigrants, Muslims and other minority groups. Another important concern for Rodriguez is a heart issue, as he believes it is disconcerting for Trump to say that he has never nor will ever apologize to anyone, not even God. 

On the other side, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton’s position on abortion is a hindrance Rodriguez believes keeps Hispanic Evangelicals from offering her their support. He also cautioned that conservative values would be threatened by her administration’s appointment of liberal judges that will do violence to the Constitution and a biblical worldview. 

“Neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump have substantively articulated the road to legitimacy for millions of illegals with American-born children who live productive lives, which is a huge human issue in our reality,” Rodriguez said.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez (no relation), NHCLC president, emphasized that Pastor Eddie Rodriguez reflects the angst of the Hispanic Evangelical community, and his challenge demonstrates that many Latino voters remain undecided, reflecting an opportunity for both candidates to address matters of importance and concern to the Hispanic community.

“The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference represents people and groups with a wide variety of viewpoints,” said Samuel Rodriguez. “We are a big tent that allows for meaningful dialogue on important cultural issues. As an organization, we have never and will never endorse a candidate or a political party. Our commitment to the Lamb’s Agenda – not to the Donkey or the Elephant – remains stronger than ever. And, this election cycle demonstrates an unprecedented need for an independent Christian movement to emerge.”

NHCLC/CONEL is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization, which serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and hundreds of thousands of additional congregations spread worldwide throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.

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