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Lizette Cruz-Watko, Founder
Top Entrepreneur & Non-Profit Leader Lizette Cruz-WatkoLizette Cruz-Watko. Remember this name. Listed twice in Hispanic Magazine as one of the Top 100 Hispanic entrepreneurs, Lizette has covered more professional ground than any of us will see in a lifetime. She founded North Carolina’s first Spanish language magazine and facilitated creation of the state’s first Latin Music, Dance, and Arts Festival; she established the Miss All-American Latina pageant, and then moved on to her most prominent role now as Executive Director of Diamante, Inc. – a North Carolina non-profit focused entirely on community events celebrating a flourishing Hispanic population. Diamante, Inc. is a driving force promoting art, education, and political awareness, and if all goes well, it will soon be celebrating the grand opening of North Carolina’s first Latino Arts and Cultural Center. With Lizette steering Diamante, Inc. along a promising successful course, we’re sure to hear more about both this non-profit and its unparalleled director in the months to come. For more information, read on in this week’s Non-Profit Spotlight.
Non-Profit
Diamante, Inc.
Founded
March, 1998
Website
www.DiamanteInc.org
Name
Lizette Cruz-Watko
Executive Director
Age
39
Hometown
Cary, North Carolina
Current residence
Cary, North Carolina
Work Experience
Diamante, Inc., Executive Director 1998 - present;
WUVC Univision 40, Community Affair Coordinator, 4/03-6/04 (Part Time);
Miss All-American Latina pageant, Founder & National Director, 11/98-8/01;
El Pueblo, Inc., Director of Development, 12/99-8/00 (Part Time);
Seyer Communications, Editor-in-Chief, 4/98-1/99;
La Voz de Carolina, Publisher & Editor, 12/93-4/98.
Ethnicity
Puerto Rican & Dominican
About the non-profit
Diamante, Inc., a statewide non-profit organization is a catalyst for change by nourishing cultural and community participation among North Carolina Hispanics and Hispanic-Americans through cultural and community events, verbal communication, education, and dissemination of information. Our vision is to put forth a positive and strong Hispanic cultural identity while serving as a medium to create cultural bridges with diverse populations.
What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
- Manage the Public Relations, Marketing, Fundraising and Special Events
- Supervise, write and manage grants
- Develop fundraising plan and marketing activities
- Secure and maintain local and national corporate organizational support
- Program development
- Oversee management of office procedures and accounting
- Supervision of subcontractors and volunteers
Most notable milestones
- Latino Diamante Awards just celebrated its eleventh season. It is the first and most prestigious Latino awards in North Carolina.
- Created the first Latin Music, Dance and Arts Festival in NC.
- Printed the first Hispanic Events Calendar of NC.
What's the niche?
It is the only Latino organization in the state that is dedicated to promoting and fostering Latino arts and culture in North Carolina.
What's the biggest challenge?
Funding for the arts can be a challenge to get. And if you are talking about Latino arts and culture it is even harder.
What's in store for the future?
We are currently seeking funding to open in the Spring of 2007 the Latino Diamante Arts & Cultural Center. This would be the first of its kind in the state.
Who would you like to be contacted by?
We are looking for the support of foundations and individuals that believe that art and culture can be a catalyst for change in the community. That through cultural arts we can bring communities closer together.
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Lizette with singer/song-writer Santino
Best way to keep a competitive edge
Alway think five years ahead.
Guiding principle in life
Treat other how you would like to be treated, with respect and dignity.
Yardstick of success
Being the first and only Latina have been listed twice in the Top 100 Hispanic Entreprenuers (Hispanic Magazine).
Founding the first Spanish-Languange Newspaper in North Carolina.
Goal yet to be achieved
Open the first Latino cultural center in North Carolina.
Best practical advice
Don't give-up on your dreams.
Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture
There is not much to a "title", is the person that counts.
What motivated you to get started?
Living in the South and being part of a emerging community, is very easy to slowly loose to forget your cultural heritage beliefs. I'm most motivated by my children and the need to have them grow-up experiencing the celebrations, traditions, music and art that I has the fortune to experience.
Like best about what you do?
Bringing joy to others.
Like least about what you do?
Lack of funds to accomplish all that can be done.
Ritmo Latino Festival
At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to work in International Relations. I did not know what that quite meant but I knew I wanted to do something with different cultures and I believe I have achieve that in some ways.
What was your first job?
Bagging groceries at a supermarket.
Biggest pastime outside of work
My children.
Person most interested in meeting and why?
I would have liked to have met my great grandfather. He was a Spanish bull fighter and he passed away before I was born.
Leader in business most interested in meeting
I'd like to meet Oprah Winfrey, but not at her show or an event. I want to have the opportunity to sit down with her and learn how she has accomplished what she has done and how many risks did she take to get where she is today.
Three interesting facts about yourself
1. Was born to dance
2. Home body
3. Family Oriented
Three characteristics that describe you
1. Tenacious
2. Strong
3. Resourceful
Three greatest passions
1. My Kids
2. My Husband
3. Dance
Favorite cause
Children's causes.
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