Raquel joined Southwest Detroit Environmental Vision in 2019 as Executive Director to build out SDEV’s community outreach program, to cultivate resident civic engagement, expand the voting base, and grow membership. SDEV’s outreach connects residents to local environmental policies that impact their health and the health of their Southwest Detroit neighborhoods.  Previously, she was the Director of Housing and Special Projects for Global Detroit, where she cultivated support for immigrant integration economic development initiatives like affordable homeownership, landbank engagement, financial literacy, language access and worked to grow community awareness about the City of Detroit’s revitalization initiatives. Previously, Raquel was an immigrant rights organizer, electoral campaign organizer, and spent 15 years in higher education in Detroit. She serves on the Detroit City Council Immigration Task Force, Is a Co-Chair of the Immigrant Support Services Committee, serves on Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation’s board and DTE’s Community Advisory Board. Raquel is passionate about leadership development of Latino youth, her new board development work,  connecting and empowering residents and neighbors by meeting people where they are, meeting them face to face at their door.

Raquel can be reached at raquel@sdevweb.org