Grupo 21, a nonprofit organization that promotes Puerto Rican participation in the federal government, will hold a 'camp' with professional development workshops for students and young people in general on November 3 and 4 next week at the Carolina campus of Universidad Ana G. Méndez. The free event will feature Resident Commissioner in Washington Pablo José Hernández and Puerto Rican Democratic congressmembers Nellie Pou (New Jersey) and Ritchie Torres (New York), in the same week as the Somos conference of New York elected officials.
Confirmed participants include San Juan mayor Miguel Romero; Camuy mayor Gabriel 'Gaby' Hernández, president of the Mayors Federation; Representative Eddie Charbonier; Economic Development Bank for Puerto Rico president Josué Rivera; and Senator Luis Javier Hernández, among other public officials. According to the organization, about 80 multisector leaders will attend in person to share their experiences, knowledge and perspectives.
Group 21 president and cofounder Javier S. Cuebas said the group believes Puerto Rico’s future depends on preparing the next generation and building bridges between people, institutions and sectors, and between the island and the diaspora. On November 5, Grupo 21 will also hold a reception honoring leaders and organizations whose work fosters collaboration across sectors of Puerto Rico. Those wishing to attend in person or virtually must register in advance.