Meet Gentry Otero: LCF’s Summer Intern Turning Passion into Purpose
This summer, the Latino Community Foundation is thrilled to welcome Gentry Otero to our team as our newest intern! Gentry joins us from Stanford University, where he’s diving into his junior year as an economics major. With a passion for tackling economic disparities and a deep commitment to justice, Gentry is eager to explore the role philanthropy plays in building power for communities of color.
“I hope to make a difference by changing the institutions that keep people of color behind in this country,” he shares. And at LCF, he’s ready to learn and grow with our team.
Read on to get to know Gentry and his journey, goals, and favorite comfort food.
What attracted you to LCF?
What first attracted me to LCF was the mission. It’s an honor to be a part of the premier Latino-focused philanthropy organization in the nation. I realized that I align myself with the core values of love, culture, power, and trust, and I wanted to make a positive impact in my community, guided by these values. Another part of LCF I was attracted to was the broad scope of work LCF does. As an economics major, I love the work LCF does to expand economic opportunity within the Latino community. I’m also interested in government and policy, so I was enticed by the opportunity to do some advocacy work as well. Finally, what sold me on LCF was reading about the wonderful people who work here. I knew I wanted to spend my summer learning from passionate leaders, and reading the bios of those who work here helped me realize this is the place for me.
Tell us about yourself:
I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but I grew up in Iowa, Missouri, and North Carolina. Growing up, my parents made sure that my two little sisters, Sami and Leyla, and I were always connected to our roots. We enjoyed visiting our family in Albuquerque almost every Christmas and during summer breaks. Though I didn’t spend as much time in my home state as I would have liked, I look back fondly on moving around as a kid because I got to meet so many people with so many different perspectives. It helped make me comfortable adapting to new situations.
I’m a huge sports fan, and I played pretty much everything growing up; however, football was my main sport in high school. I started lifting weights during high school, and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. My other hobbies include fishing, hiking, and annoying my friends. When I’m not studying, in nature, at the gym, or with my friends, you’ll probably find me binge-watching Netflix. (If you have any show suggestions, I’m looking for recommendations!) I also love music of all genres, so please put me on to your favorite artists.
It’s a little startling for me to say this, but I will be starting my Junior year at Stanford in the fall–everyone says college flies by, and I’m beginning to realize how true that is. Throughout my first two years, I was able to explore many different academic paths from the humanities to engineering. I recently decided to declare an economics major, and I’m hoping to use my education to tackle social issues in America. The most valuable aspect of my time at Stanford has definitely been the relationships I’ve built. I have made so many friends, and I hope to make even more in the next two years. I plan to eventually go to law school, but I’m still unsure of what I want to do as a career. I’ve been really enjoying learning about LCF and how I can use my education to make a real difference in my community. I am beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity!
If you could have dinner with any Latino changemaker, past or present, who would it be?
Sonia Sotomayor!
Tell us about a time you saw the power of community in action…whether in your neighborhood, school, or elsewhere.
In high school, I got to work with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte as part of the teen volunteer board shortly after the peak of the pandemic. It was amazing to see the power that even high schoolers can have in making change when they are passionate about their mission. We were a group of 20-ish 16–18-year-olds, and we were able to host events that raised thousands of dollars for sick children and their families. I learned two wonderful things: One, young people can make a real impact on their community. Two, people show out for their community when they need it most.
Which social issues are you most passionate about, and how do you hope to make a difference?
I am most passionate about leveling economic disparities. I hope to make a difference by changing the institutions that keep people of color behind in this country.
What do you hope to learn during your time with LCF?
I’m excited to learn from Latino leaders who are making real change in their communities and how I can become a stronger leader myself. Specifically, I want to learn how philanthropy can be used to fix outdated and detrimental institutions.
What’s your go-to comfort food or snack?
My mom’s green chile enchiladas. Green chile is a New Mexican staple, and it always reminds me of home.
If you could travel anywhere right now, where would you go and why?
I would go to Patagonia. I’ve never been to South America, and I would love to immerse myself in the rich culture of that region. Also, I love being outdoors, and I’ve heard it is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Plus, they have penguins!
Name the song that you currently have on repeat:
"Badfish" by Sublime
If your life had a tagline or motto, what would it be?
Live fully, laugh often, love without limits.
We’re excited to have Gentry on board this summer and can’t wait to see the contributions he’ll make during his time at LCF. Welcome to the familia, Gentry! The entire team is happy you’re here.