Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative

Zavala thrives on incredibly humble, creative, and responsible volunteers that work hard to promote Hispanic culture. We provide educational, cultural and leadership opportunities for youth and adults in our Wichita Falls community.

You might find us working to fund scholarships, volunteering at community events such as the After Hours ArtWalk or supporting local businesses through our fundraising events. Zavala is dedicated to creating the leaders of the future. 

Our goal for 2024 is to promote the growth of our programs through collaborations with other organizations and diversify the existing programs we already have. This May, Zavala awarded over $40,000 in scholarships to local students and continuing education students. We continue to spread awareness of our culture and traditions by educating our youth on different dances and music as well as providing free lessons and dress attire through our Zavala International Dance program and by hosting cultural education events through Amo Leer. We strive to keep bilingual education alive through literature with Amo Leer, a partnership with WFISD elementary schools and the Help Me Grow Resource Center to provide bilingual story time. Zavala also supports Summer Road to College to carve a path for higher education for students in junior high and high school with college readiness programs.

Zavala Programs: Amo Leer, Zavala Hispanic Leadership Banquet, Zavala International Dance.

Zavala Events: Taco Fest of Wichita Falls, Dia del Niño, Baile Folklorico, Los Reyes Magos. We also collaborate with other organizations to be part of events and showcase our art, culture and education. 

Who We Are

Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative was developed in 2001 when Chuck Neale, Director of the Wichita Falls Community Foundation, and Carroll Wilson, then-Editor of Wichita Falls Times Record News noted the increased growth in the Hispanic population and the need to have Hispanics involved in leadership positions.

Both Neale and Wilson coordinated a meeting in the Spring of 2002 with the Hispanic community to discuss ways to engage the Hispanic population and identify barriers that kept Hispanics from becoming involved in community. The first meeting was attended by 70 individuals, and several meetings followed.

As a result of these meetings, a steering committee was formed in the Fall of 2002, comprising of Iliana Jaramillo, Rudy Bermea, Stewart Frazier, Marlon Pesantez, Dr. Robert Clark, John Hirschi, Carroll Wilson, Juan Rivas, Miriam Mas, Father Hector Medina, Rigoberto Contreras, Judge Woody Gossom, and Liz Mendez.

The committee adopted a mission statement and goals. They also chose Zavala Hispanic Cultural Initiative for the organizational name, after Lorenzo de Zavala, a historically significant Texan for his leadership role as a diplomat, democratic reformer, writer/publisher and Vice-President of the Republic of Texas.

Zavala has been an active nonprofit organization in the community over the years and presently.

Over the years, Zavala has:

-Collaborated with Vernon College and Midwestern State University in the Summer Road To College program.

-Collaborated with MSU Bilingual Education Student Organization (BESO) in presenting Dia de los Muertos in November and Las Posadas in December.

-Collaborated with Wichita Falls Public Library in promoting bilingual literacy for families in the Amo Leer program.

-Celebrate the annual Hispanic Leadership Banquet in recognizing the Hispanic Person of the Year, Hispanic Volunteer of the Year and presenting scholarships to high school graduates and college continuing education students.

-Hosted the Zavala Latin Festival.

Zavala continues to grow:

Zavala International Dance teaches traditional folklorico dance and international dances that have been influential in Latin culture.
Collaborating with Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture to encourage and promote the arts during Hispanic Heritage month.

Amo Leer promotes bilingual literacy outside of the home along with workshops at our events at Zundy, Southern Hills and the Help Me Grow. Children who attend also take a book home in both Spanish and English. Putting books into the homes of families is a goal of Amo Leer. These events are completely free for the community, and anyone can attend the events at those schools.