Latino Speakers Bureau congratulates Richard L. Zaldivar Honored by Latino Behavioral Health Institute (LBHI) for His Leadership in Promoting Wellness and Prevention of Illness in the Latino Community. Full story here. 

With a lifelong journey of public service, community empowerment, and mobilization that began at age 17, Richard Zaldivar is well known as a California community advisor and the founder and executive director of The Wall Las Memorias Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS with innovative programs. Early on, he recognized the role that faith and spirituality in the lives of many individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The organization’s Project Faith reflects his sincere belief that communities of faith must be a part of the prevention, education, and treatment equation. The Wall Las Memorias Project is noted for several highly visible endeavors, including the hosting of Strike Out AIDS, the first-ever AIDS awareness day at Dodger Stadium; leadership in the fight against crystal meth amphetamine use, and a 10-year project for the construction of the nation’s first publicly funded AIDS monument in the U.S.


            Today, the 9,000 square foot monument The Wall Las Memorias in Lincoln Park in Los Angeles is a reality. Designed in the shape of Quetzalcoatl, an Aztec serpent and symbol for rebirth, it is composed of a distinctive stainless steel archway, panels with murals by Southern California artists as well as granite panels where names of people lost to AIDS are being etched. Because of his professional achievements and his personal triumphs, Zaldivar is often invited to participate as a motivational speaker and presenter at conferences, workshops and colleges and universities on topics including HIV/AIDS, diversity and inclusion, organizing and mobilizing communities, overcoming personal obstacles, and making personal dreams come true.  Zaldivar’s leadership on HIV/AIDS has been recognized by around the world for more than a decade. He was named as one of 100 Most Influential Lesbian or Gay Persons in 1997 by Out magazine. In 2005, KCET Television and Union Bank honored him with the “Local Hero Award” for his leadership in the community and he received a sabbatical award from the California Wellness Foundation in recognition of his leadership in HIV/AIDS. Most recently, Richard was selected to serve a three-year term as part of a council of U.S. American advisors to the president of Mexico (Consejeros por Meritos y Trayectoria) and was named Hero by Latino American TV in 2010.

Interested in booking your speaking event with Richard Zaldivar? Click here or call 310-937-2789

Richard L. Zaldivar Honored by Latino Behavioral Health Institute for His Leadership in Promoting Wellness and Prevention of Illness in the Latino Community

Los Angeles, CA - Community leader and founder of The Wall Las Memorias Project, Richard L. Zaldivar was recognized last Friday, September 16th for decades of community service and leadership in addressing health issues such as HIV/AIDS, substance abuse and mental health. The award was presented the 17th Annual Latino & Behavioral Health Conference in downtown Los Angeles. The theme of this year's nationwide conference was From Margin to Mainstream.

Zaldivar was the 17th recipient of the prestigious LBHI Honor Roll Award. "Richard Zaldivar has contributed to the advancement of social justice for Latinos in this country," states Ed Viramontes, Executive Director of El Centro De Amistad and board member of Latino Behavioral Health Institute, adding, "He has been an outstanding leader in the field of human service."

Richard Zaldivar called on the conference of Latino mental health professionals to become educated, engaged and tolerant in providing mental health services to the Latino LGBT community and to those living with HIV.

In accepting the award, Richard Zaldivar stated "I accept this award for the millions of people who live in silence, for those who question their sexuality, for those who have died from AIDS and for those who live with the stigma of HIV. Zaldivar then went on to speak about his personal battle of alcoholism and how his life in sobriety helped him lead the effort to build the only AIDS Monument in the nation. Zaldivar closed by stating, "As Latinos, we are often expected to sit together at dinner time. When one member is not there, then the family is incomplete. It is time that we fill the void at supper. It is time to reach out to our missing brothers and sisters and bring them to take their rightful place at the table. Bring them home."

Zaldivar founded The Wall-Las Memorias Project in 1993 with a mission to build an AIDS monument to honor people who have passed from AIDS. He believed that an AIDS Monument would create a needed opportunity to address the cultural stigma, denial and shame that contributes to HIV and AIDS in our community. Under his leadership, The Wall Las Memorias Project has developed innovative programs to reach out to key Latino populations and institutions.

Richard L. Zaldivar's name is now included in a prestigious list of previous recipients of this recognition which include Cesar Chavez, Edward R. Roybal, Luis Valdez, and Father Greg Boyle, to name a few. 

To book Richard Zaldivar as a speaker for your next event, call 310-937-2789 or e-mail speakers@bestkeynotes.com

The Wall-Las Memorias Project will sponsor their 5th annual Latinos, Faith, Culture, HIV & Mental Health Conference on Monday, October 24th. The conference will provide HIV/AIDS education, substance abuse, targeting California faith leaders and congregants. This year's theme is Our Women in the Fight for the Truth. For more information, please contact Lorena Velasquez at (323) 257-1056 ext. 23 or at lvelasquez@thewalllasmemorias.org.

The Wall-Las Memorias Project is dedicated to promoting wellness and preventing illness among Latino populations affected by HIV/AIDS by using the inspiration of The AIDS Monument as a catalyst for social change.

To book Richard Zaldivar as a speaker for your next event, call 310-937-2789 or e-mail speakers@bestkeynotes.com