Former migrant worker turned motivational speaker to give presentation at Allan Hancock College on Nov. 7

SANTA MARIA — Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria will present guest speaker Raúl Lomelí, co-founder and executive chairman of Saber es Poder (Knowledge is Power), a Spanish-language media and empowerment network, on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in Room C-40 (Forum) on the college’s Santa Maria campus.

The son of migrant agricultural farm workers, Lomelí will share his personal success story to inspire students to dream big and leave them with the message that knowledge is power.

Hancock College English as a Second Language (ESL) students will also share their educational journeys.

This event is free and open to the public.

Lomelí labored in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley every summer from age 15 through his first year of college. In 2005, he founded Saber es Poder to encourage Spanish-speaking consumers to become more informed, confident and active participants in their communities and in society.

Prior to his involvement with Saber es Poder, Lomelí served as president of the Latino Education Achievement Project (LEAP) where he led two nationwide initiatives to promote financial literacy awareness. He has also served as national spokesperson for the Sallie Mae Fund, as the press and public affairs attaché for the Consulate General of Mexico in Los Angeles and as a student affairs officer for the University of California Office of the President. He remains a regular panelist and speaker at national and international academic and industry conferences.

Call Rosa Olmedo, noncredit ESL outreach coordinator, or Lucerito Salgado, credit ESL facilitator, at 805-922-6966, ext. 3402 for more information.