Vancouver, BC – October 28, 2024 – University Canada West is delighted to announce it will present an Honorary Doctorate to Francisco Javier Barajas at its Fall 2024 Convocation ceremony on Tuesday, October 29.
Mr. Barajas, who relocated to Vancouver in 2002, has been a staunch advocate for the Mexican-Latino community and the 2SLGBTQIA+-Latino community in Canada and the United States. Over the past 30 years, his extensive involvement has ranged from founding new associations to organizing financial education fairs and cultural events for Mexicans and Hispanic Latinos in Vancouver.
Most recently, he has been one of the Founders and President of the Hispanic Canadian Chamber of Commerce. He served on the City of Vancouver’s Cultural Communities Advisory Committee from 2012 to 2018 and was nominated for the Civic Assets Naming Committee in 2017.
Mr. Barajas is also one of the Founders of Red Global MX of BC, where he served as President from 2016 to 2018. He is also one of the Founders of the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre, President of the Mexicans Living Abroad Association, Regional Coordinator for the five Red Global MX chapters in Canada, and Senior Advisor for Cobalt Strategy Group, Inc.
He has made significant contributions to various organizations, including Flamenco Rosario and the Vancouver Latin American Film Festival, helping to bring Latin culture to a wider audience. Over the past 25 years, he has been proactive in meeting with consuls and ambassadors from Latin American countries in both Vancouver and the US to develop new initiatives.
Mr. Barajas has demonstrated a long-term commitment to community investment through his roles with the Institute of Mexicans Abroad, working on community initiatives, and serving as President of the Mexican Business Association of Canada from 2008 to 2010.
Mr. Barajas’s dedication to improving community life extends to his memberships with the Vancouver Board of Trade, LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, and LOUD Business, Vancouver’s LGBTQ+ Business Association. He actively supports Latincouver’s initiatives, such as the Inspirational Latino Awards and, along with partner Kasey Reese, provides funding through the Barajas-Reese Scholarship to support the success of future LGBTQIA+ Latino professionals.
He also created the Spanish Community School, Lazos Hispanos, which taught young Canadian Latinos the importance of preserving their native language and heritage. The school also provided a space for parents and volunteers to foster professional and personal development.
Mr. Barajas has been named a finalist for Canada’s 10 Most Influential Latinos by the Hispanic Organization in Toronto, won a Latincouver Inspiration Latino Award, received recognition from the Institute of Mexicans Aboard for his volunteer service, earned a Lifetime Achievement Award from Red Global MX of BC and received the Hidden Hero award from Vancouver-Quadra MP Joyce Murray.
“We are thrilled to bestow an Honorary Doctorate on Francisco Javier Barajas in recognition of his tireless advocacy for both the Latino and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities,” said Dr. Bashir Makhoul, UCW President and Vice-Chancellor. “Throughout his 30 years of dedicated community involvement and professional leadership, he has courageously broken down barriers and helped both the Mexican-Latino and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities thrive.”
Mr. Barajas will receive a Doctor of Laws degree during UCW’s Fall 2024 Convocation ceremony at Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Tuesday, October 29.
