Meet Alejandro

We recently connected with Alejandro and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alejandro, so happy to have you on the platform with us today and excited to chat about your lessons and insights. Our ability to make good decisions can massively impact our lives, careers and relationships and so it would be very helpful to hear about how you built your decision-making skills.

I developed my decision-making skills through a process of trial and error, practice, and learning from past experiences. In both my personal and professional life, I’ve faced decisions that required careful evaluation of multiple factors and key players. Managing people and projects has been crucial in honing these skills, as it involves balancing priorities, anticipating outcomes, and ensuring decisions always align with the mission.

At Tumbao Collective, every decision I make is guided by our mission to foster arts, culture, and inclusion. A significant part of this process has been gathering feedback from the community. People are often vocal about the classes they enjoy and what they’d like to see more of, and I use this input to influence future planning. This collaborative approach not only keeps us connected to our community but ensures our initiatives truly reflect their needs and interests.

Over time, I’ve learned the value of deliberate and careful planning, ensuring every decision contributes to the long-term growth and sustainability of our mission. It’s an ongoing process of trial, feedback, and reflection, but through these experiences, I’ve developed a decision-making system that’s intentional, community-focused, and rooted in the purpose of making a positive impact.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I am the Director of Tumbao Collective, a nonprofit organization based in Louisville, KY, dedicated to bringing the community together through the celebration of arts, culture, and dance, with a special focus on the Hispanic and Latinx community. At its core, Tumbao Collective is about creating a welcoming and inclusive space where people from all backgrounds can connect, learn, and grow through shared cultural experiences.

What makes Tumbao Collective special is its ability to blend tradition with innovation. From offering free weekly dance classes, ranging from salsa and bachata to Haitian kompa and Latin fusion. Also hosting performances by talented local and international artists, we create opportunities for both education and celebration. These events not only promote cultural understanding but also foster a sense of community that extends far beyond the dance floor.

This year, I’m particularly proud of how we’ve expanded our reach. We recently celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of performances, collaborations, and cultural showcases, including folkloric dance groups and live music. Looking ahead, we’re planning to launch even more community-focused initiatives, including workshops, outreach events, and partnerships with local businesses and nonprofits.

What’s most exciting about Tumbao is that it’s constantly evolving, fueled by the passion and feedback of our community. Our nonprofit is fully donation based, and we strive to give back in meaningful ways by making arts and culture accessible to everyone. I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead such a vibrant and impactful organization, and I look forward to continuing to grow Tumbao Collective’s presence and impact in the years to come.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three qualities and skills that have been most impactful in my journey are adaptability, community connection, and effective communication.

Adaptability has been essential in navigating the challenges of leading a nonprofit like Tumbao Collective. Whether it’s adjusting plans due to unforeseen circumstances or responding to feedback from the community, being flexible and open to change has allowed me to find solutions and keep moving forward. For those early in their journey, I recommend embracing the idea that not everything will go as planned—and that’s okay. Learn to pivot and grow with each experience.

Community connection has also been a cornerstone of my journey. Building genuine relationships with the people we serve and collaborate with has shaped Tumbao’s mission and impact. I’ve learned to listen carefully to the needs and interests of the community, which has helped me create meaningful programs and initiatives. My advice here is simple: prioritize relationships. Engage with the people you serve, and let their input guide your work.

Finally, effective communication has been key to sharing our vision and rallying support for Tumbao. Whether it’s through promoting events, collaborating with partners, or securing funding, clear communication has opened countless doors. My advice for developing this skill is to prioritize face-to-face interactions or video calls whenever possible. These forms of communication create a stronger connection and allow for more meaningful conversations than email or text. Being present and showing genuine interest goes a long way in building trust and enthusiasm.

Each of these skills has not only been crucial to my journey but also continues to guide me as I lead Tumbao Collective into the future.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

The number one challenge Tumbao Collective is currently facing is funding. As a nonprofit organization, securing consistent financial support is essential to sustain our programs, bring in talented instructors, and continue offering free community events. While this is a common challenge for many nonprofits, it’s one we are actively working to overcome.

I am addressing this challenge by focusing on networking and building relationships with the right people to identify and apply for the most impactful grants available. We’ve also prioritized engaging with local businesses and organizations for sponsorship opportunities. In addition, we are working on growing our team of dedicated volunteers and, in the long term, hope to secure enough funding to hire full-time staff to manage operations and expand our impact.

Beyond maintaining our current offerings, we are also planning to expand our initiatives to serve the community in new ways, such as creating scholarships for student artists. These scholarships would help nurture young talent and further our mission of fostering arts and culture. While the challenge of funding remains, it has motivated us to think creatively and broaden our reach to serve the community in even more meaningful ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tumbaocollective.com
• Instagram: @TumbaoCollective