(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser met with Mayor Miguel Mancera of Mexico City. Mayor Bowser spoke with Mayor Mancera about the fight for statehood and voting representation and the benefits and burden of being a federal city. Mayor Bowser was joined by Jackie Reyes, the Administration’s new Director of the Office on Latino Affairs (OLA) and Latino leaders from the District.
“I was delighted to host Mayor Mancera and his delegation today in the John A. Wilson Building,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “As the Mayor of the Nation’s Capital, it is always a pleasure to host international delegations who are interested in visiting our great city.”
Mayor Bowser discussed the appointment of her recently appointed Director of the Office of Latino Affairs, Jackie Reyes. Reyes will oversee a team tasked with improving the quality of life of the District’s Latino residents by addressing a broad range of social and economic needs through strategic management of public and private partnerships, policy, community relations, civic engagement and community-based grants. Reyes, a Ward One resident, recently served as the Director of Latino Affairs and Community Outreach for former Councilmember Jim Graham. Reyes has been in this announced position since January 2, 2015.
“I am thrilled to have Jackie join our team,” said Mayor Bowser. “She has deep roots in the community and a proven track record of success working in support of causes that help the Latino community, from expanding public private partnership to crime prevention. Jackie has been an important part of my Administration’s efforts to deliver a fresh start for Washington.”
While serving with Graham, Reyes spearheaded initiatives to address the needs of the diverse Latino residents in the District. One of the highlights of her efforts was organizing gang prevention events which successfully reduced street violence and crime. She is recognized throughout the District for her efforts to create a safe space for the immigrant community through strategic lobbying for immigration reform. During her tenure with former Councilmember Graham, Reyes secured financing to rebuild the Monseñor Romero Apartments in Mount Pleasant which was destroyed by fire in 2008. Before joining the DC Council, Reyes served the District’s Latino youth as a case manager at the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) and in the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services (MOCRS) under former Mayor Adrian Fenty.