Alumni Spotlight: David Umanzor, Class of 2022
David Umanzor is the program manager for the Jordan Harris Foundation, managing their school-based, suicide prevention program, Hope Squad. Hope Squad is designed to identify and empower the students who are most trusted by their peers with the skills to save a life.
“What I enjoy about my work is that I know I am making a palpable difference,” shared David. “Hearing the stories of students helping others outside of school hours, on or off campus, and the way we're educating students to harness their empathy to save lives gives me hope.”
David also shared that education has played a major role in who he is today. “Beyond being one of the most effective means for upward mobility; I value education because it's opened my mind to start the journey of understanding the world we live in, those who I share it with, and myself. Given that education has made such a large impact in my life, I want to ensure that every child in my community has access to begin that journey as well.”
David was a fellow in our 2022 Civic Voices Fellowship, and he had this to say about his experience, “Leadership ISD was enlightening, inspiring, and challenging. Enlightening, because we were able to shed light on how the Texas public school system functions and dysfunctions in local communities across the state. We confronted the needs of students head-on and didn't beat around the bush when it came to student needs and equity.”
David serves as an ambassador for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with a focus on Latino and MWBE-owned businesses. He was nominated and selected by the FWHCC as one of the list of the Top 50 Latino Emerging Leaders in Fort Worth. He is also a member and committee leader for the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition, a group that shares resources and advocates for the health needs of Latinos in Arlington, with a focus on often-neglected East Arlington.
In his free time, David enjoys playing music and video games and spending time with his wife and son.
