CARMEN SALOMÉ: 2022 Top Lideres Awards; SWFL

What is your Heritage:  Puerto Rican, I was born and raised in Rochester, New York (Nuyorican)

Latin Times Magazine:  What area of Floridado you live in? 

Carmen Salome: I live in beautiful Southwest Florida.

Latin Times Magazine: What is your Profession

Carmen Salome:  “Connector” and “Community Influencer”

Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it.

I started my career more than 25 years ago in local government in Upstate New York.   My experiences included progressively responsible positions in community affairs, budgeting, and human resources.   Community Affairs has always been my favorite aspect of public service.  Upon moving to Southwest Florida, I worked closely for two county commissioners.   In this capacity I interacted closely with the Hispanic community sharing important county and local government information.   I become well known within the Hispanic community as a point person to their county elected official.  

When I retired from that career, I felt there was more to do.  In 2018 I co-founded The Hispanic Vote of Southwest Florida PAC.  An educational political action committee focused on increasing voter participation within our growing Hispanic Community.

In your industry what would you say separates you from your competition

My impetus for my community involvement has always been to serve, uplift, and motivate.  It has always been about “how can I serve the community”.   In any project I started or became involved with it was always to positively impact the community.   Competition in this area is low.  Currently, there is no other Anglo or Hispanic driven political action committee in this area with a focus on educating and empowering the southwest Florida Hispanic voter.    We saw a need and set out to fulfill that need.

hy do you feel you were nominated

I have worked tirelessly informing and engaging the Southwest Florida Hispanic community.  I have mentored women in job readiness skills, worked with teen girls on a project to benefit cancer children, and identified and supported qualified candidates to run for local political office.   I have been a respected and influential community leader knowledgeable on local government process.   I am a forward, out of the box thinker and problem solver known for connecting people and creating synergy.   I have worked hard and earned the respect of our community and its elected leaders.   

During Covid 19 tell us about your biggest challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it.

The biggest challenge during the pandemic was remaining engaged with the community.   The Hispanic Vote Pac holds monthly community leaders meetings at a local restaurant where we bring the local elected officials together with Hispanic residents and business owners to learn about the role of the office.   With restaurants closed, we relied heavily on social media and other electronic communications for sharing the important information.     As a result, we have grown our social media presence tremendously.

Tell us about your biggest achievement and how you achieved it

Looking back on my time here in Southwest Florida there are a few highlights that I am proud to have been a part of.     In 2007 I researched, planned, and implemented a GED preparation program at my local church. The program ran successfully for seven years.  We helped dozens of adult students take an important step in their educational journey.

In 2016 I ran for a county-wide elected office and was the ONLY candidate to raise the required 5000 signatures to qualify for that race!   Although I was unsuccessful to win the position, I was very proud of the hard work, positive message, and the amount of money I raised for a first time run.

In 2018 I helped raise much needed funding for water filtration units for a local community plagued with water issues.  The efforts raised local and nation attention regarding water equity issues in vulnerable communities.  In the end, we outfitted 11 senior citizen homes with water filtration systems.

My biggest achievement to date is co-founder of The Hispanic Vote of Southwest Florida Pac.    There was no other organization like it in the southwest Florida area, and there has not been one since.   The Pac is moving into its sixth year.   We have grown in influence and credibility.   The community has come to rely on The Hispanic Vote of SWFL for nonpartisan information on candidates and issues.    Now, candidates and elected officials seek out The Hispanic Vote of SWFL for its important and influential endorsement. 

This was achieved six years ago when a small group of thoughtful community leaders came together after a local election to discuss how could we increase the involvement of Hispanic voters.  We were aware that some of the reasons for the lack of voter involvement included not knowing who the candidates are, not knowing about the elected office, and not understanding the process to become involved.   From there the Pac was modeled after the original successful Hispanic Vote Pac that began in Broward County several years earlier.  

Our mission is simple.  To inform and engage the Hispanic community in voting and the local political process.  We accomplish that in three ways.   First, we hold monthly community leaders meeting at an area restaurant where an elected official is invited to meet the community and share the role of the office.   Second, The Hispanic Vote of SWFL hold candidate endorsement interviews during election season.   All candidates are interviewed, and an endorsement is then extended to the candidate we feel will best serve the community regardless of party affiliation.   Third, The Hispanic Vote works with the Supervisor of Elections offices to hold voter information seminars. 

Currently there are three Hispanic Vote PACs in the State of Florida.   Hispanic Vote Broward, Hispanic Vote SWFL, and Hispanic Vote West Palm.

What is next from you?  What can people expect to see from you?

I will continue to stay involved in the Latino communities of Lee, Collier, and now Charlotte counties.  I will continue to inform, engage, and encourage our Hispanic community to participate in advisory committees, boards, and be part of decision-making bodies.  I will continue to connect people and use my God given gifts to positively impact our Southwest Florida community. 

What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you

I am blessed to be born a citizen of the United States.   While the United Stated is less than 250 years old it has accomplished more in that short time than other civilizations that are thousands of years old.  Its not because we are special people, but because God has blessed our nation.   I am a member of a free nation that gives its citizens an equal opportunity through hard work and perseverance, to succeed. 

What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation?  And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation?

The current state of our nation is divisiveness.    I see the role of Latinos as one of unity.   While other groups place importance on political parties, Hispanics put importance on our faith, our families and our hard work.   We come from many countries and appreciate the freedoms and opportunities of this country.  For this reason, I see Hispanics as the saving grace of the United States.

What words of encouragement can you offer

Don’t let anyone tell you - you are not good enough, you are not important enough, or you don’t have what it takes to succeed. 

Is there anything I did not ask that you would like to share?

I am truly humbled by this nomination.   It is awards and recognitions such as this that raise awareness to the important contributions Latinos make to our vibrant communities.

What is YOUR comida Latina favorita?

My very favorite is the traditional Puerto Rican Christmas dinner – arroz con gandules, pernil, tostones, and pasteles.    And of course….coquito!