Ep. 168 LEAD by Example: Uplifting and Empowering Latino Communities with Lucas Pimentel

What does it take to turn a “no” into a movement? This week on MissionCTRL, Ramon and Kevin sit down with Lucas Pimentel, founder of Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD), to unpack how one man’s fight for educational equity sparked a statewide transformation.

Lucas was just a teacher when he decided to help a group of parents bring a charter school to Danbury, Connecticut—a city where 68% of students are Latino but lacked this crucial option. When the project was blocked by a legislator, something clicked. With no nonprofit experience, but a fire in his gut, he stepped into advocacy with nothing but a vision, a Canva logo, and a mission to unify Latino voices.

From drafting LEAD’s logo on a Starbucks napkin to opening a fully operational community center in Danbury in 2021, Lucas has grown the organization into a powerhouse with seven locations across Connecticut—and plans for more. LEAD provides everything from financial literacy to civic engagement workshops, ESL classes, and health education.

Born in the Dominican Republic, raised with political legacy and personal loss, Lucas’ story is one of passion, persistence, and purpose. He’s redefining what advocacy looks like—and proving that when you can’t get a seat at the table, you build your own.

Tune in as the MissionCTRL crew explores how grassroots activism, strategic storytelling, and relentless belief can create systems-level change. If you're fired up about education, entrepreneurship, and empowering underrepresented communities, this is an episode you can’t miss.
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Mission CTRL aims to ignite the innovative spirit inside us all through providing budding and successful entrepreneurs and community leaders with a platform to share their stories and inspire others. Tune in every Wednesday and catch up with the team at Peralta Design as we unleash the origin stories behind some exceptional leaders, share marketing/branding insights, and navigate the ever-changing currents of pop culture.

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