The Illumine Celebration/Celebración de Iluminación benefiting AAMA (the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans) will be held on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at George R. Brown Convention Center. Proceeds will go towards AAMA’s programs, George I. Sanchez Charter Schools, Prevention & Counseling, Adelante Adult Education, and Work & Learn Center.
Co-Chairs
Alexandria H. Hernández (MSA, University of St. Thomas), is a human resource professional with Luby’s Fuddruckers Restaurants, LLC. Following in her parents’ footsteps, Alexandria is passionate about community outreach, community activism, and serving her community through non-profit/volunteer and restaurant outreach. During her undergraduate years at the University of St. Thomas, Alexandria served on two councils that promoted volunteer work in the community. In her 15-year tenure with Luby’s, Alexandria has served the community as a member of the Diversity Council, a member of the Employee Activities Committee, and as a volunteer at Camp Hope. As AAMA’s 50th Anniversary Illumine Co-Chair, she is excited to serve her community, carry on her parents’ legacies, and ensure that AAMA continues to be successful in the years to come.
Leandra H. Hernández (Ph.D., Texas A&M University), is Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at Utah Valley University. She teaches health communication, gender studies, and media studies courses. She utilizes Chicana feminist and qualitative approaches to explore Latina/o cultural health experiences, journalism and media representations, and cultural identities in reproductive justice and gendered violence contexts. She is the co-author of several books and Immediate Past Chair of the NCA La Raza Caucus and Latina/o Communication Studies Division. Although Leandra currently lives in Utah, as a born-and-raised Houstonian and as Illumine Co-Chair, she is passionate about working with and advocating for her community in the East End in Houston, and carrying on her parents’ educational and activist legacies in both Texas and Utah.
