Entrepreneurial Leadership:
Creative Solutions to Root Causes of Emigration from Latin America
Contact: Blair Quinius
Founder and Executive Director, UrbanPromise Honduras
Tel: 254-537-3487
E: blair.uphonduras@yahoo.com
A new initiative launched by Texas native, Blair Quinius, aims to expand youth leadership projects throughout Latin America that address the root causes of the current immigration crisis. Asylum seekers at the U.S. border have received a lot of attention, but few people are asking why so many Central American migrants are fleeing their homes in the first place. Quinius founded the faith-based organization UrbanPromise Honduras in 2009 and has spent the last decade equipping the next generation of indigenous leaders. This year, as tension proliferates in the U.S. over immigration issues, so does Quinius’ dedication to empowering Latin American leaders. His team has developed the UrbanPromise School of Entrepreneurial Leadership (UPSEL), which will facilitate the expansion of new projects serving vulnerable youth throughout Latin America. A central premise of their work is the idea that those closest to the problems are also those closest to the solutions. Dallas-based lawyer Cole Robinson advocates for this same idea, saying that “a wise use of our time and money would be to invest in visionary leaders from Latin America who want to make a difference in their communities.”
Honduras’ gang violence, corruption and extraordinarily high unemployment rates often force people to consider leaving everything they have ever known, hoping for an opportunity to thrive. However, Blair and his team have seen that emigration to the United States is not always necessary when mentoring, academic support, employment opportunities and a faith community are present. “When a teenager is given opportunity and a place of belonging, it transforms their life and gives a newfound sense of purpose,” Quinius says.
Successful organizations like UrbanPromise get resources into the hands of indigenous entrepreneurial leaders who have a vision for what needs to happen and the influence to effect positive change right where they are. Eric Howell, pastor of DaySpring Baptist Church in Waco, Texas affirms this approach, adding that UrbanPromise “makes stronger children who grow up to be dynamic youth, who will grow up to make resilient, hopeful communities in Honduras and throughout Latin America.” The UrbanPromise School of Entrepreneurial Leadership is expanding this effect even further, investing in and equipping Latin American leaders who will address root causes of pervasive local and international problems. UPSEL participants Jorge and Carolina Garcia said, “We want to be peacemakers in our native home of Colombia, and a model like this will give the best chance at producing change that lasts.”
About UrbanPromise Latin America (501c3 registered as UrbanPromise Honduras EIN 47-5558276):
UrbanPromise Latin America (UPLA) is the sister organization to the family of UrbanPromise, a group of youth outreach ministries now located in various countries around the world. UrbanPromise seeks to create safe spaces throughout the city where children and youth are nurtured, healthy behaviors are encouraged, and youth are challenged to grow academically. The model includes after-school programming, summer camps, youth employment programs, experiential learning, and alternative schools. UPLA is impacting new communities in Latin America by training entrepreneurial leaders to create innovative programs that support vulnerable youth.