Media & Photos

 

Leadership Ohio Class of 2025

Leadership Ohio is a nonpartisan organization that cultivates experiences that elevate leaders’ knowledge, perspective, and connections from a community to a state-wide level. Success in our mission creates a unifying movement of diverse, connected leaders who make Ohio the best state to live and work.

Leadership Ohio 2025

Clark State Board of Trustees

Clark State’s Board of Trustees exemplifies what a high functioning, engaged governing body looks like—operating in seamless partnership with the President to advance student success, fiscal responsibility, and community responsiveness. The core themes of the Board and President relationship are strategic fiscal oversight; open communication; student-centered focus; campus engagement; strategic planning and shared governance; community and legislative advocacy; and professional learning and recognition. Appointed by the Governor of Ohio, each Trustee serves a six-year term.

Clark State Board of Trustees Lopez

https://www.clarkstate.edu/community/board-of-trustees/

48th Distinguished Hispanic

Ohioan Awards

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Each year, the Latino Affairs Commission honors exceptional individuals and organizations whose leadership and service strive to improve the lives of Ohio’s Latino community for the advancement of the public good. 

The Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award celebrates individuals and organizations that have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their professional or community endeavors and who serve as inspiring models across the state. 

The Military Service of Distinction Award honors Latinos in uniform who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and continue to serve their communities with distinction. 

The Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Award recognizes non-Hispanic individuals or organizations that work alongside the Latino community to help Ohio’s communities thrive.

Ohio Latino Affairs Commission Legislative Visit Day

 

This event offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with state government and take part in thoughtful panel presentations on key issues shaping Ohio’s future.

Participants will have the chance to meet with lawmakers, hear from experts and community leaders, and gain deeper insight into the legislative process. Whether you’re a first-time advocate or a seasoned participant, this event is designed to inform, empower, and amplify the voices of Ohioans from across the state. Come learn, connect, and be part of the conversation.

The event will also feature an awards luncheon in recognition of OCHLA’s 2025 Distinguished Hispanic Ohioans, Latino Military Service of Distinction Awardees, and Nuestra Familia (Our Family) Awardees.

Distinguished Hispanic Ohioans

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2025 Fiesta Rojos

The Reds celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with their annual Hispanic Community Night, “Fiesta Rojos,” featuring activities in the community and ceremonies at Great American Ball Park. As the Commission on Latino Affairs Chair, presented recognitions to the Cincinnati Red’s players.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon – Water Stop Captain

Water Stop Capitan at Mile 21.9

2021-Present

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Melody is the Executive Director of the White House Hispanic Initiative,
2024 Hispanic Legislative Visit Day (Columbus, Ohio)

Honored to provide the welcome and closing remarks as Chair of the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs, introducing expert panels and workshops addressing key topics in business, health, and civic engagement.

Served as a featured statewide panelist at Miami University, advancing dialogue on identity, leadership, and the Latinx experience in Ohio.

BEING LATINX IN OHIO A discussion on identity and the experience of being Latinx in Ohio.
BEING LATINX IN OHIO A discussion on identity and the experience of being Latinx in Ohio.

Distinguished Alumnus Award (2023 Presidential Awards)

Honored to be recognized as the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipient by Clark State College.

This award is presented annually to an individual who has attained a high level of professional achievement and provided outstanding service to their community. Individuals recognized with this prestigious award display the highest standards of personal integrity and character and also demonstrate pride in their alma mater.

“It is truly an honor to be recognized with the Distinguish Alumnus Award. Clark State was essential to beginning my professional career and also with my life in the United States,” said Lopez Ramirez, Commissioner/Chairperson at Ohio Commission Latino Affairs at the State of Ohio and Global Operations Analyst at LexisNexis. “After living in the Springfield community for over 20 years, I have met great people and organizations which the sole purpose is to help those in need. It is my hope that this award serves others as a testimony that if you put the effort, focus and determination you will be able to accomplish your goals.”

 

 

Clark State Board of Trustees

Clark State’s Board of Trustees exemplifies what a high functioning, engaged governing body looks like—operating in seamless partnership with the President to advance student success, fiscal responsibility, and community responsiveness. The core themes of the Board and President relationship are strategic fiscal oversight; open communication; student-centered focus; campus engagement; strategic planning and shared governance; community and legislative advocacy; and professional learning and recognition. Appointed by the Governor of Ohio, each Trustee serves a six-year term.

Clark State Board of Trustees Lopez

https://www.clarkstate.edu/community/board-of-trustees/

https://www.daytonmetrolibrary.org/news/plaza-comunitaria/

Dayton Metro Library has partnered with local groups and the Mexican Consulate to offer a program in Spanish called Plaza Comunitaria (“Community Plaza” in Spanish). Patrons and community members are welcome to attend the opening ceremony in the Main Library’s Eichelberger Forum, on Thursday, June 6, at 11 am. 

At the ceremony, DML and the Mexican Consulate will sign a memorandum of understanding to bring Plaza Comunitaria to Dayton, which offers 9th grade diplomas and literacy programs for people ages 15 and up. Phase one for the program will begin with enrollment up to the 9th grade in September 2025. Higher levels will be offered in a bilingual format beginning in the Fall of 2025, with additional local partners. 

Manuel Lopez Ramirez, Chairperson with the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, said that having such a program at the Library is important because many Spanish-speaking people bring their children here to use their resources, so the Plaza Comunitaria will help further bridge the Hispanic communities to the Library.

Mexican Consul Maki Teramoto Sakamoto visit with the Ohio Department of Development (Columbus, Ohio)
2023 Hispanic Legislative Visit Day
2023 Hispanic Legislative Visit Day (Columbus, Ohio)
Mobile Mexican Consulate Operations (Columbus, Ohio)
Mobile Mexican Consulate Operations (Columbus, Ohio)

42nd Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala 2023 

Presented the opening remarks and officiated as the Master of Ceremonies in my capacity as Chairperson for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs.

Each year, three awards (Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan, Military Service of Distinction and Nuestra Familia [Our Family]) are awarded to outstanding members of the community and organizations that strive to improve the lives of the Latino community, as well as, the general public. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0E68Zdeoa8

2023 Latino Ohio Affairs Summit

Presented the opening remarks in my capacity as Chairperson for the Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs s at Kent State University on September 15, 2023.

  • The Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs and Kent State will host the 2023 Ohio Latino Affairs Summit, which marks the first year that the education, healthcare and business/workforce development summits are hosted in person in a single summit. It will bring together educators, legislators, state and local communities, students and stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the Latino community and how best to improve them together. This year’s theme “¡Juntos! Latino Growth Is Ohio Growth.”

Guest Lecturer at Wittenberg University 

Psychology of Cultural Diversity / Latin American Cultural Context – February, 2023.  Dr. Crane, Professor of Psychology and East Asian Studies.

Psychology of Cultural Diversity / Latin American Cultural Context – September, 2021. Dr. Crane, Professor of Psychology and East Asian Studies

 

Miami Valley Catholic Charities – Guest speaker at All Staff Yearly Gathering

Guest speaker at the Miami Valley Catholic Charities All Staff Yearly Gathering in 2023.

UniDiversity Festival

UniDiversity Festival – Miami University, Ohio – September 2021 – 8th annual Latin American and Caribbean UniDiversity Festival (Oxford, Ohio)

Miami University, Ohio – September 2021 – 8th annual Latin American and Caribbean UniDiversity Festival

  • Opening of the Festival in honor of the National Hispanic Latino American Heritage Month – Oxford OH.

 

Dayton Hispanic Chamber 2023
Dayton Hispanic Chamber (Dayton, Ohio)

 

Manuel Lopez HOLA Grand Opening
HOLA Ohio is a 501c3 Latino organization based in Painesville with a mission to empower the Latino community by creating opportunities through education, outreach, leadership development and economic advancement. In 2016 HOLA embarked on a project to develop a Hispanic community center to meet the demands of the growing Latino community and demand for its services. On May 5, 2022 the HOLA Hispanic Community Center had its grand opening.

Dayton, Ohio Hispanic Heritage Festival & Parade 

Opening remarks as behalf of the Ohio Hispanic/Latino Affairs for the years of 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Springfield, Ohio Hispanic Festival

Founder and organizing committee member

Provided the opening remarks and presented the Victor Garcia’s Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to graduating High School students and/or college students yearly at the festival.

40th year of the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala 

Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs.

39th year of the Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Awards Gala 

Ohio Commission on Hispanic/Latino Affairs.

 

World A’ Fair – Dayton International Festival

Member and Booth Leader for one of the 30 different countries booth since 2008 to current.