June 4, 2020

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. seeks to help prevent sexual misconduct, assault and rape on our campuses and within our communities. We have become aware of recent allegations made against members of our organization. We are committed to working with the survivors and their organization’s leadership (as applicable) in order to gather all the facts and work towards resolving and mitigating this and any future issues.

First and foremost, we believe the women and support their courage in speaking their truth. We take these allegations seriously and will investigate all allegations and hold members accountable for any and all misconduct. We ask our Hermanos to provide the space for them to share their pain, to be heard and acknowledged.

Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, we will implement the following for our organization and our members, undergraduate and alumni:

• Review and update the Sexual Abuse and Harassment and Gender Relation Policy sections of our current Risk Management Policy
• Institute an annual online sensitivity awareness/sexual harassment/gender violence training, accompanied by a quiz and completion certification
• Incorporation of the above training into New Member On-Boarding Training
• Integration of a virtual workshop with subject matter expert as part of our national convention July 2020
• Guidance on a chapter-led virtual workshop with subject matter expert/organization to increase campus and community awareness
• Provide all members with access to the following toolkits from the Me Too Movement website (metoomvmt.org):
  • #MeToo Masculinity, Male Privilege & Consent Discussion Guide
  • Creating a 360 Degree Day of Healing, Empowerment, and Strength
• Storing applicable resources on our website for ease of access by members and visitors

We will provide future updates on the training and our member participation.

Finally, given the sensitivity of these matters we ask for patience while we investigate and work on implementing the above.

Since the women’s right movement began in 1848, women have fought against and demanded equality, equity and respect. In 2006, Tarana Burke founded the ‘me too’ movement focused on the experiences of survivors of sexual violence and sexual harassment of Black women and young women of color. The Hermanos of La Unidad Latina are committed to helping address this internally and within our communities and being agents of change and accountability.

We will provide future updates on the training and our member participation.

May 18, 2020

Greetings, Class of 2020:
Across the country, graduating students (high school and college) are mourning the loss of a ceremonial event symbolizing successful completion of a milestone achievement: graduation. The global pandemic has forced the implementation of national guidelines restricting large scale gatherings. As a result, virtual commencements are taking place to honor and recognize graduates.

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. officially recognizes and congratulates graduating Hermanos of the class of 2020. For some of our Hermanos, you may be the first generation in your family to graduate from an institution of higher learning. While you may not be able to join your classmates in donning your cap and gown, walking across the stage to shake a dean’s hand, and hearing your family shout your name in unbridled enthusiasm, know that it does not stop anyone from celebrating YOU!

Congratulations and La Unidad Para Siempre, Hermanos! We are proud of you Hermanos, and wish you a successful and rewarding future. As graduates, new alumni and future leaders, we look forward to your continued contributions to La Fraternidad and your communities as we navigate new norms for a healthy and productive future.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020!

View the La Unidad Latina 2020 Year Book Here!

Hermano George Bouldin Gates, MBA
National President
La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.

May 12, 2020

Dear Families, Friends and Supporters:

In this increasingly unique and dynamic time that is COVID-19, all of us continue to be challenged by a new norm and a future that is every-changing and uncertain. An epidemic that has become a pandemic may very well forever change how move about and interact with the world and each other. Undoubtedly an unsettling thought, but not one that must stifle or hinder us from staying spiritually and socially connected while social distancing.

An interesting consequence of self-quarantine and stay-at-home has been the innovative ways in which we have entertained ourselves and focused on family, significant others, loved ones, pets and self. We have learned creative ways of remaining connected and engaged. We better understand the value of quality time spent being present and the increasing need to focus on mental health and well being.

The Hermanos of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc., empathize with, and in many ways share, your experiences of loss, grief, and anxiety. We have been impacted by the loss of one of our Hermanos. Some of our Hermanos have recovered after being diagnosed COVID-19 positive. We have Hermanos grieving the loss of parents, family members, and friends. Our prayers, condolences and well-wishes to our Hermandad and to you and your families. We will survive this, and we will be stronger and better prepared.

As an organization we have prioritized how we can be supportive as we continue to manage through these times. A few examples include:

• A Mental Health Initiative Team building out a toolkit and resources for our Hermandad to increase internal awareness and support including tools for sharing and distribution within their respective communities and networks
• Exploring ways of supporting our Hermanos disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; especially our undergraduates and newly graduated Hermanos
• Planning as an organization for whatever the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 holds for our ability to remain active and engaged on campuses and within our communities and neighborhoods

Key to successfully managing through this time, supporting our families and taking care of ourselves mentally and emotionally, will be partnerships and collaborations. We are committed to working with community organizations, academic institutions, and peer organizations to ensure broad support for each other and the communities we serve.

We are all in this together. Please continue to follow safety guidelines and to practice self-care. If we want the best for and to care for our families, we must make sure we do all we can to be here for them.

Wishing you and your families continued health and wellness.

The Hermanos of La Unidad Latina

Hermano George Bouldin Gates, MBA
National President
La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.

La Unidad Para Siempre, Hermanos!

The Hermanos of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. are pleased to welcome and congratulate the Neophytes of Spring 2020 to La Hermandad.

During this unprecedented time you experienced a New Member Education (NME) process you did not expect. It is also not the experience for which we planned. As the nation rapidly responded to the growing pandemic, universities took unparalleled actions to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff. Simultaneously, we took necessary steps to protect our Caballeros and Hermanos by suspending all fraternal activities, including intake.

Despite the challenges this semester posed, we were fortunate enough to initiate 114 Hermanos into the folds of La Unidad Latina. Though all of you were not afforded the opportunity of a complete process, you remained steadfast and committed and are nonetheless, Hermanos, de la Fraternidad! We will continue to equip you from a national and regional perspective with the core components and knowledge to help you contribute to the future of our organization.

This pandemic has forever changed the world and our organization. We look forward to your insight in moving La Unidad Latina onward.

Welcome, Hermanos, and congratulations! Thank you and our chapter Hermanos for patience, flexibility and commitment to compliance as we navigate these times.

Para Siempre,

Hermano George Bouldin Gates, MBA

National President

La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.