La Union DC
La Union DC (LUDC) is a youth-led collaborative dedicated
to support at-promise youth of color (ages 14-24) who have a passion for education, entrepreneurship and the arts.
Founded in 2014, our organization was built on the idea that meaningful change starts with youth voice. We focus on providing opportunities that cultivate creativity, leadership, and community connection because when youth thrive, entire communities grow stronger.
Want to get involved? Let’s get started now.
Nelson Cruz is an award-winning digital media expert. Since the inception of his professional career, he has dedicated his time to fighting bigotry, standing for social justice and unmasking and uplifting the stories of underserved communities.
As a DC native of Dominican heritage, he comes equipped with a plethora of experience working with the local Latino community, particularly at-promise youth. He holds a B.A. in Strategic communications from Ohio University where he graduated cum-laude as a first-generation college student. Nelson also holds an M.A. in Communications with a concentration in Digital Communications Strategy & Analytics from American University.
Luis was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At sixteen, he moved to the United States. Luis attended Columbia Heights Educational Campus, where he met fellow Union member Hendres Kelly, and graduated in 2013. Luis earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Coppin State University, with a minor in business management. Luis will be pursuing a Master in business fall of 2025.
Luis Hernandez has worked in finance for 10 years, beginning as a tax officer and personal and small business accountant before becoming a licensed financial counselor for organizations such as RIRCM and Adventist Healthcare. Luis served as the lead financial consultant for American Oncology Network’s Bethesda and Germantown divisions from 2020 to 2023. In 2024, Luis was promoted to Assistant Regional Manager of the Maryland region. Luis joined La UnionDC in 2017 and has been in charge of finances ever since.
As an Educator, Event Coordinator, Coach & Community Activist, Hendres Kelly has committed to over 14 years of devoting his time and life to the inner-city communities of Washington, D.C. by creating youth-centered programs. In his Educator background, Hendres Kelly serves as the Physical Education Teacher at the Lowell School, where he also serves as the Head Basketball Coach and believes in the importance of Physical and Mental Health, and continues to ensure that our youth can maximize their potential by attending college in support of student’s career goals. Hendres is an award-winning nightlife contributor with over 9 years of experience promoting & managing Latin and International centered events ranging from dance socials, networking, brunches, and nightlife gatherings. In 2021, Hendres also Co-Founded the Dominican Professional Association (DPA), where he is liable for the overall programmatic and fiscal integrity of the organization as President, whose vision is to raise awareness among professionals and educate constituents about Dominican heritage and traditions. Finally, In 2014 Hendres uprooted a small program (La Union 809) that has transitioned into a Non-Profit organization known as La Union DC, a youth-leading group in Ward 1 that continues to grow with the vision and support of community members and provides at-promise youth with an outlet to be a creative, self-reliant and resilient critical thinker. La Union’s vision is to ensure that underserved youth are provided with the tools necessary to become leaders both in and beyond their community.
-“En la Union estas la fuerza, y en la fuerza esta La Union.”
Johanna Figueroa is an Afro-Latina native of Villa Mella, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. She moved to Northwest Washington, DC at the age of three. She earned a Bachelor of Social Work and a BA in Spanish from George Mason University. Johanna has been an educator for eight years, she has taught High School History and Middle School Math in DC schools. She is a founding member of the Dominican Professional Association. She currently works as an Assistant Athletic Director at a DC Charter School.
Johanna has experience working in both the Education and Nonprofit sectors. During her time in undergrad, she was an elementary summer school volunteer teacher in the Dominican Republic with the Dream Project. She has worked as a case manager in various housing nonprofits in DC and Northern Virginia. She also has seven years of coaching experience including Girls on the Run, middle school basketball, Varsity basketball and Varsity Girls Flag Football.
O’brien Miguel Rosario is an Afro-Latino organizer, community legal worker, storyteller, and intergenerational movement strategists hailing from Queens, NY. O’Brian joined IntegrateNYC, a youth-led organization fighting to dismantle segregation in NYC public schools, in his junior year of high school to organize and activate 1.1 million students. O’brien specializes in campaign creation, community organizing, and outreach as he has served in the official role of Director of Branding and Director of Mobilization at the organization. He has sat on panels, lobbied to elected officials, designed and launched campaigns like #RetireSegregation, been highlighted for his work in the NYTimes, and published an OP ED in the daily news. His educational equity advocacy journey led him to the position of Co-Founding Executive Director at the Peer Defense Project, an intergenerational movement lawyering shop that builds legal tools for youth to use the law for power. Simultaneously, O’brien was the Advocacy Manager for the Movment Street Organization, Treasurer of the Claudia Jones Club, and the President of Changó- Howard University’s Afro-Latin and Spanish Speaking Society. As the President of Changó, O’brien was key to relaunch the club from 0 members, 0 programs, and $0 to 52+ members, over 35 programs (including a soldout showcase, gala, and 3 day educational excursion for 34 NYC students at Howard University), and over $10,000 raised. Obrian is currently enrolled at Howard University School of Law where he is apart of the inaugural 3+3 B.A/ J.D joint degree program.
We love to see La Union DC family grow year by year. Are you a teenager or young adult that needs a safe place and guidance by mentors who really understand you? Maybe you are a young professional who would like to mentor or teach a workshop. You might be a parent who would like to volunteer leading an initiative with our youth or community. You might just simply want to make a difference by making a kind donation to support our work. There is a spot for everyone at La Union DC and we make it easy to become part of our family.
