Dallas Mayor Leppert meets with international community leaders

by Marisa Treviño of of Latina Lista

Think what you will of the United Nations but nothing can erase the fact that it is an awesome organization that literally brings the world together under one roof.

And it just so happens that yesterday was the 62nd anniversary of the United Nations.

Whether by coincidence or not, Dallas experienced their own version of the UN on Tuesday night at Gilley’s when Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert spent an evening celebrating with the city’s diverse immigrant communities.

Over 50 immigrant groups presented their native country’s flags to the Mayor during an international dinner party meant to showcase the contribution of immigrants to the development of Dallas’ economy, culture and history.

The evening, which took three years to organize, was hosted by DFW International Community Alliance, a non-profit group dedicated to building mutual understanding and respect by linking the roughly 1,600 diverse internationally-focused cultural communities that call North Texas home.

In fact DFW International has been able to document that about 40% of the residents of North Texas are either first or second generation Americans.

The evening was a way to introduce the Mayor to his immigrant constituents and provide an introduction for the various immigrant communities to Dallas leaders whom they may feel are not easily accessible to them.

In response to the evening, Mayor Leppert said, “If Dallas wants to reach its potential, it should embrace its diversity and be ready to take advantage of it to better compete on the international scene.”

From all accounts, everyone had a great time and Mayor Leppert told the audience that Dallas was poised to expand its international presence by visiting Mexico in December and possibly including a trip to Central America as well.

The Mayor also said that Dallas will increase trade with China, too.

It may not have officially been a UN gathering but with the level of diversity and talk of cooperation and business, the evening laid the groundwork for Dallas’ future.