School Board District 9, Luisa Santos
Reserve by August 2 to guarantee your lunch!
For me, education has made all the difference. I was born in Bogota, Colombia; my parents made South-Dade their chosen home when I was eight years old. Despite the challenges of having to learn a new language, in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) I quickly discovered that I had a love for learning. I excelled inside and outside the classroom. I joined many clubs and organizations, and, while trying to register as a MDCPS volunteer, I was jolted by the discovery that I was undocumented: my family’s application for U.S. citizenship was pending. Learning this did not deter me. In fact, it motivated me. Our application was eventually approved and I am now a proud U.S. citizen. With the guidance of many teachers, mentors, and counselors who believed in me, I started my higher education at Miami-Dade College. Ultimately, I graduated from Georgetown University in Washington, DC with a minor in education. Following graduation, I returned home to Miami to launch Lulu’s Ice Cream, driven by a desire to be a changemaker in my community – employing local students, mentoring many, and allowing community organizations to use my storefront for meetings and events. As Founder and CEO, I have worked tirelessly to ensure Lulu’s success, and my business has garnered critical acclaim in Forbes and Glamour magazines and on the Cooking Channel. Lulu’s continues to contribute to the soul of Miami.
I wholeheartedly believe that every student must have the opportunities I had to build a successful life, no matter where they are born or which zip code they live in. Fulfilling this promise depends on the strength of our nation’s single greatest lever for advancement: a high-quality education. In Miami-Dade, we have come a long way, but we have a long way to go. Working together, we can strengthen our public schools to ensure they provide the high-quality education each of our students deserve – and must have – to grow, thrive, and realize their full potential. Education is the great equalizer. It has made a world of difference to me. Join me in this movement!
Education
Perrine Elementary School, MDCPS
Southwood Middle School, MDCPS
Coral Reef Sr. High School, MDCPS
Academy of Business and Finance
The Educational Excellence School Advisory Council (EESAC) Member
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) District President
Student Body President all four years
Parent, Teacher, Student Association (PTSA) advocate
Miami Dade College, The Honors College, Kendall Campus
Student Government President
Georgetown University
Major: Political Economics
Minor: Education, Inquiry, and Justice
Georgetown Scholars Program, Student Board President
Service, Experience, and Awards
Assistant 4th Grade Teacher, Washington DC
DC Reads, Director for Burrville Elementary
Board of Advisors, Georgetown Scholarship Program, Georgetown University
Board of Advisors, P.S. 305
Young Alumni Chair, Georgetown University Alumni Club of Miami
US Department of Education, Office of the Undersecretary
Teach for America Summer Institute Operations
Fellowships & Awards
Small Business Administration (SBA) Florida Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2018
Young People For Fellow, People for the American Way Foundation
Miami Fellows, Cohort X, The Miami Foundation
Women Innovating Now (WIN) Lab, Babson College
Radical Partner’s Social Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Patrick Healy Fellowship
Press & Speaking Engagements
Forbes
Glamour
The Miami Herald
The New Tropic
Miami New Times
White House Latinas in the U.S. Summit, Speaker
GU Women’s Summit, Speaker
Congressional Hearing on Millennial Entrepreneurship, Testimony
Stay in the loop:
https://luisasantos.com/
https://secure.anedot.com/luisa-santos-campaign/donate
https://www.facebook.com/LuisaSantos2020/
https://www.instagram.com/luisasantos2020/
https://twitter.com/luisasantos2020
Watch my launch video to learn more about my story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygSUxuRbZbU&t=19s
The cost of attendance is $20.00 for members and $30.00 for non-members.
