This is part 1 of our Hispanic Heritage Month Series that's all about the Journey of Community.

Jonathan interviews Alejandra Zendejas and Jesse Acosta, founders of Pasos for Oak Cliff, a non profit organization in Dallas Texas built on the pillars of Community and Culture, Action, Responsibility and Education.

Their mission is to create social upward mobility and economic prosperity in minority communities through culturally relevant inspired educational programs and events. 

Jesse Acosta was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in the neighborhood of Oak Cliff. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017 with a double major in Radio-Television-Film BS and History BA with a minor in Government. His passion for education led him to join Teach For America in 2018 and to serve as Deputy Director for Youth for North Texas LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) District 3 from 2020-2021. Currently, he teaches at his alma mater Justin F. Kimball High School and is Executive Director of Pasos for Oak Cliff, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which he co-founded in August of 2020. 

Alejandra Zendejas was born in Leon, Guanajuato Mexico but raised in Dallas (Oak Cliff), Texas. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Mathematics and a Business Foundations Certificate in 2017. In her last year at UT, she presided as president of Longhorn LULAC. After graduating, Alejandra returned to Dallas and became a consultant under It’s Not Complicated (INC) Tutoring for all levels of math and test prep. Alejandra has served as Director of North Texas LULAC District 3 from 2019-2020 and helped with the founding of Pasos for Oak Cliff.

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Visit Pasos for Oak Cliff to get updates and event information.

Donate to their cause in helping create social upward mobility in their community.