About the Parade Padrinos Initiative
The Parade Padrino initiative is a symbol of honor and recognition within the Columbus Latino Heritage Month celebration. Each year, a distinguished individual who has made significant contributions to the community is chosen as the “Padrino” or “Godfather” and “Madrina” or “Godmother” the Hispanic Heritage Parade. This honorary title acknowledges their dedication, leadership, and commitment to enriching the cultural tapestry of Central Ohio. The Parade Padrino stands as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the values of unity, diversity, and the vibrant spirit of the Latino community in Columbus. Their role is not only to lead the parade but also to inspire others to embrace and celebrate the heritage and traditions that make our community unique and rich in culture.
Meet the Padrinos
Guadalupe Velasquez
Guadalupe A. Velasquez is the Managing Director of Welcoming City, a social enterprise of US
Together Inc., that focuses on a comprehensive approach to economic and workforce development
integration. She is a founding member and President of Vibrant Ohio (VO), formerly known as
the Ohio Welcoming Initiatives Network (OWIN). In her leadership role with Welcoming City
and Vibrant Ohio (VO), Guadalupe collaborates with national partners and the State of Ohio to
create credentialing and career pathway opportunities that assist skilled immigrants and refugees
in Ohio.
Guadalupe led the OWIN team that successfully launched State of Ohio Governor John Kasich’s
office to create the Office of Opportunities for New Americans. This office continues under the
current administration of Governor Mike DeWine. Guadalupe also recently served on Governor
DeWine’s Minority Health Strike Force during the COVID-19 pandemic response, which elevated
the issues of language access and cultural competency as a priority in its final 2021 report. She is
a current member of the Ohio Department of Health’s Minority Health Vaccine Team.
In addition, Guadalupe trains and educates public and private organizations regarding policy and
compliance on language access and cultural competency in local, national, and international
contexts. She is a Senior Associate for The Othering and Belonging Institute at University of
California, Berkeley, focusing on targeted universalism policy and inclusive strategic
philanthropy. Guadalupe is also a consultant with Raising the Bar Performance Group. Her
experience and expertise as both an instructor and facilitator in this field are further demonstrated
in her work with Ohio-based nonprofit, Multicultural Advocates for Cultural Competence
(MACC). Guadalupe also serves as an Alloy Ambassador, promoting the benefits and scope of
Non-Routine Leadership discipline.
Previously, Guadalupe served in city government for twelve years under two administrations. In
2006, City of Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman appointed her the first-ever New Americans
Initiative Coordinator. Guadalupe was later promoted to the Assistant Director of the Community
Relations Commission, where she was an active internal resource to city departments in their
program and service delivery and outreach regarding language access, cultural competency, and
newcomer communities. She also served as an Assistant Director for the Department of
Neighborhoods under Mayor Ginther’s administration.
Guadalupe led the creation of “The Impact of Refugees in Central Ohio,” a collaborative 2015
report that examines the economic, social, and cultural impact of refugees in Central Ohio. For
more than twenty years, she has been a source for community members in aiding and accessing
city, county, and state resources. Guadalupe strives to monitor vital information relevant to
diverse communities to create awareness and support for all. Her contributions have earned her
the Governor’s Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award, the Government Hispanic Business
Advocate of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Community Leader Award from The Ohio
State University Multicultural Affairs Department. She was also recognized and featured in the
2021 Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) “Women Welding the Way”
Calendar.
Guadalupe is the first Latina woman to have served on the Board of Directors for The Women’s
Fund of Central Ohio (WFCO). She also served two terms as a Board Member for The Friends of
WOSU, in support of the public media service in Central Ohio. She is currently on the Board of
Directors for the Columbus Council on World Affairs (CCWA) and serves as Chair of its Racial
Equity Committee. Guadalupe is an executive member of the Franklin County Rise Together
Innovation Center, and a founding member of the Franklin County New Americans Advisory
Council (FCNAAC). Additionally, Guadalupe serves as an active member on the Board of
Trustees for the Ohio History Connection (OHC). Recently, Guadalupe led in the development of
Central Ohio’s Plan for Welcoming Immigrants and Refugees and is currently coordinating the
implementation of this comprehensive strategic plan across multiple sectors.
Guadalupe’s mission to cultivate and bring recognition to Ohio as a “Welcoming State”
is fueled by a deep devotion and commitment to serving and uplifting others.
Zari Carmona-Tongo
Zari Carmona-Tongor is a proud Dominican-American entrepreneur and investor who has lived in Columbus since 2002. She founded JPS Print, a thriving commercial print and marketing company, and is a shareholder in other local business ventures. In addition to her professional achievements, she is a dedicated wife and mother of four lovely children and a community organizer. Zari’s story is a testament that hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance can open doors to opportunities for making an impact in one’s life and the lives of others.
Zari’s journey to the USA began in 1993 when she migrated to Puerto Rico with her father and sister, seeking new opportunities and a brighter future. Despite her busy business and family schedule, Zari always seeks opportunities to give back to the community. Notably, she volunteers with Liberians in Columbus Inc. (LICI) as the Marketing Director. Additionally, she serves as the Executive Director of Dominicans in Columbus, Ohio (DICO), a nonprofit organization she co-founded to promote, uplift, and engage residents from the Dominican Republic in Central Ohio and its surrounding areas.
Since its establishment in 2019, DICO has collaborated with other New American organizations and Dominican grassroots groups to bring essential services to the community. One of DICO’s significant achievements includes successfully coordinating with the Dominican Consulate to conduct four mobile operations in Columbus, providing vital resources such as passport services to the local Dominican community. Zari also volunteers and provides support and leadership to other nonprofit organizations in the city, focusing on immigrant and minority issues. These roles demonstrate her unwavering commitment to community organizing and empowerment and her passion for seeing a thriving immigrant community in Central Ohio. Her passion for community work has earned her many awards and certificates, including being a New American Leadership Academy (NALA) fellow.
Zari’s leadership, passion, and dedication have fostered unity, support, and growth within the immigrant community in Columbus, making her a respected figure and a true Madrina in the 2024 Latino Heritage Month Celebration.
Fernando Alcauter
The young entrepreneur Fernando Alcauter was born in Chicago Illinois and moved to Columbus Ohio in 1999, where he was raised and where he was taught to be devoted to his work. In 2008 he graduated from Westerville South High School. Fernando did not have the same future waiting for him as many of his schoolmates, whom were preparing for college. Unlike many young students, Fernando had to make a choice between continuing his education, or integrating in the growing family business, the local supermarket chain La Michoacana Mexican Market. The decision was not only tough because of the family pressure and the expectation was high. He opted to join the family business when Las Michoacana Mexican Supermarket was a chain of nine locations in Columbus and one in Dayton. This is where his entrepreneurial career began.
The initial stages were not easy, nor was he simply given the title. Fernando had to face many obstacles along the way, starting out by being the owner’s son, but having to fulfill the duties of cashier, cook, server, meat cutter, and even in janitorial. His father made him department manager in 2012, and in 2013 he took over general management in one of the largest supermarkets, located on Morse Road.
The six years of devotion to the supermarket business forced him to gain experience in all areas related to the business, and this brought better opportunities. Self-motivated and self-taught in many areas of management, and with the support of his family and other managers, Fernando surpassed his other siblings, and upon his father’s retirement, he took over the position of president of La Michoacana Market LLC. With this new title came many changes, a rejuvenated business structure, and necessity for difficult decisions that have allowed the expansion of the business. In 2021 his childhood dream came true. He was able to open his own brand of groceries stores with Toro Meat Market. Fernando was able to open five locations around Columbus Ohio and expected to open more in the future. Also, he completed his education goals by graduating from Standford University on a Business Scaling Program in the summer of 2024.
Fernando is also a big advocate of the Hispanic Community and he had demonstrated appreciation for the support of the family business by giving back as much possible. He is constantly involved in social, religious and sports festivals, and has a hands-on approach to contributing to non-profit efforts via time, resources and money. He lives on his father’s advice of ‘any goal you propose upon yourself, you can achieve with dedication, honesty and good work ethic.”
Gustavo Salazar
Gustavo Salazar, owner of La Plaza Tapatia and Taco Nice, originates from Mexico
City, Mexico.
His family operated small produce and meat establishments in their local community,
where Gustavo diligently contributed after school. His long-standing aspiration has been
to establish his own commercial food service venture.
Upon relocating to Ohio 28 years ago, Gustavo secured employment in the food service
industry while steadfastly nurturing his entrepreneurial ambitions. His dedication
materialized when he acquired La Plaza Tapatia on the western outskirts of Columbus
in 2001. Subsequently, Gustavo’s vision pivoted towards introducing a contemporary
Mexican-style grocery store to Columbus. In 2021, this vision was realized with the
inauguration of the present La Plaza Tapatia at 255 Georgesville Rd, a grand
establishment spanning over 44,000 square feet and proudly standing as Ohio’s largest
Latino grocery store.
Gustavo has consistently aimed to provide an authentic and immersive experience with
his ventures, while also offering support to the Central Ohio Latino and non-Latino
communities. His previous enterprise, Los Jalapeños, was among the first mobile food
trucks to introduce authentic Mexican cuisine to mainstream fairs and festivals in
Central Ohio. During his tenure at Los Jalapeños, he also generously distributed meals
from the food truck directly to the homeless community in Columbus.
Gustavo’s commitment to supporting the local Latino and non-Latino communities
remains steadfast. La Plaza Tapatia takes pride in organizing an annual back-to-school
event, where free school supplies are distributed to local children and their families.
Additionally, the establishment holds annual events to commemorate Mother’s Day,
Father’s Day, Dia de los Niños, and other special occasions throughout the year.
Following the tragic Lincoln Park fire in 2004, which resulted in the loss and
displacement of many Latino families, Gustavo promptly spearheaded a collective effort
to raise funds for the affected individuals. The collective successfully provided financial
assistance to help displaced families cover their initial rent and deposits for new
housing, and also donated new furniture and clothing.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, La Plaza Tapatia, in collaboration with FAMAVI Food
Safety and Columbus Public Health, organized the first Latino community-focused
vaccination clinic at the new La Plaza Tapatia. Throughout the pandemic, La Plaza
Tapatia worked in close partnership with public health officials and FAMAVI Food Safety
to disseminate evidence-based information to the community and distribute personal
protective equipment, including face masks and gloves, to the public. Following the
pandemic, La Plaza Tapatia continues to host free mobile health clinics for the
community.
Throughout the years, Gustavo’s commitment to serving the community has extended to
supporting local firefighters, government entities, churches, and correctional facilities
through meal donations. In 2024, Central Ohio recognized La Plaza Tapatia as 2nd
Place Best Meat Market/Butcher in (614) Magazine’s annual ColumBEST contest.
Gustavo’s unwavering passion and dedication to offering authentic and engaging
experiences for his guests remain evident today, exemplified in his taqueria Taco Nice.
The venue’s live music, bands, and events consistently attract diverse crowds. His
overarching objective to create a safe, inclusive, and fully immersive environment while
contributing to and bolstering the local community remains an enduring commitment for
the years ahead.
