Thank you to The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce for hosting "La Noche Encantada" Gala. La Noche Encantada is an annual fundraising event which supports our programs like public policy initiatives, advocacy of our membership and entrepreneurs, workforce development initiatives (Spanish and English), technical assistance alignment with regional education, mentoring framework for our annual scholarship recipients, etc. AHCC efforts are to continuously cultivate cross-sector collaborations and opportunities in New Mexico that will encourage economic development, business friendly regulation and growth of small businesses. There were about 2,000 attendees who consisted of business leaders, political figures, interns, and employees. All here to celebrate the rich heritage of the innovative SPACE industry in New Mexico.
A huge thank you to Global Ties ABQ for presenting us with this opportunity to be part of this grand event. As interns we took this opportunity to network and get to know business leaders and political figures who attended this event. We were lucky enough to have a chat with governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. We spoke about the governor signing Senate Bill 140, the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship Act that will make college tuition-free for most New Mexicans and establishing the most wide-reaching tuition-free scholarship program in the United States. “For over a quarter of a century, New Mexico has been a national leader in providing free college to its residents. A fully funded Opportunity Scholarship opens the door for every New Mexican to reach higher, strengthening our economy, our families and our communities,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “Signing this legislation sends a clear message to New Mexicans that we believe in them and the contributions they will make for their families and the future of our great state.” As college students in New Mexico this made us feel heard and we felt immense support. Governor Michelle also gave us a few words of encouragement to follow our dreams and to continue breaking those glass ceilings!
(Intern Fabiola Melendez (pictured on the far left), Intern Andrea Valladolid-Ochoa (pictured in the middle with white dress), Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (pictured in the middle with black dress), and Brushra)