Nowadays, most of us are just happy to have a job that provides and puts a roof over our head. If we are fortunate, some of us may have a high school diploma, a college degree and even a career we are happily settled in. For others, like Jorge Baldor, having “made it” is just not enough. For him, it’s always been about giving back and helping others find success and reach the American Dream.
Born in Havana, Cuba, Jorge Baldor moved to Dallas, TX with his family at the age of six. In his teenage years, Baldor was involved in social justice projects and worked on several local, statewide, and national campaigns. While in high school, he was on the Mayor’s Advisory Council under Dallas Mayor Wes Wise.
He then attended Southern Methodist University, where he graduated with honors with a BA in History; eventually co-founding ResidentCheck, a leading national tenant background screening service where he serves as President.
Baldor enjoys traveling and is an advocate of educational and social causes, locally and internationally. He’s been a supporter of programs like the International Education Program of The World Affairs Council, President Vicente Fox’s “Presidente Por Un Día” program in Guanajuato, Mexico, and President Vinicio Cerezo’s Education Foundation in Guatemala. In 2011, the Innocence Project recognized him in their Donor Highlights. Jorge currently serves as Vice-Chairman on the Board of the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft. Worth.
In November of 2014, Dan Patrick was elected lieutenant governor of Texas on a platform to repeal HB 1403, a bill giving all Texas high school graduates the right to pay in-state tuition at state colleges and universities regardless of legal status.
Baldor believed the law was being unfairly targeted as a result of concern with the Central American children flooding the Texas border at the time. That’s when he founded www.KeepHB1403.com to bring public awareness at efforts to end in-state tuition for Texas DREAMers in the state legislature.
KeepHB1403.com became a strategic initiative under the Latino CLD. Starting the Latino CLD and funding it was a natural next step for Baldor as the need to establish a center for a new generation of Latino leadership has become even more important over time.
“In the past, Latino’s have been seeking a place at the table. Now, we must seek a place at the head of the table,” says Baldor. His vision is that the new generation of Latino leaders will adopt a “Why not me?” attitude, and his personal story of accomplishment can be the expected, rather than the exception. Thanks to his efforts and others like him, we believe success will be the norm within our Latino youth in the very near future.
