Community leaders Carlos Rosario and Sonia Gutiérrezwith Congressman Walter E. Fauntroyat the Latino Festival.

DC’s Latino community became politically visible starting in the late 1960s, with local activists advocating for better access to education and services for Latino residents. One of the legacies of this early activism is the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School which teaches English, civic engagement, and work skills at no charge to DC residents from around the world.