Warren Morrow moved to Iowa to receive a higher education. One of the most important things he learned, however, was not taught in a classroom. Rather, it was the inequality he saw in the economic and political status of the Latinos in the state. He saw a need for leadership from within the community, which persuaded him to stay after he graduated.

Morrow was born in Mexico City and moved to Tucson, Ariz., when he was 9. During high school, he was recruited by Grinnell College. While attending the school, he helped found the Latino Leadership Project, a student organization that grew into a non-profit organization. His first job upon graduation was running that group.

Morrow says the organization’s purpose was his personal mission: “to empower our youth in order to empower our community and to make sure every talented kid has the opportunity of higher education and to join in the struggle for equality.”

In 2002, the Latino Leadership Project merged with Partners in Economic Progress, an organization dedicated to providing academic and motivational support to students of color in Des Moines. Morrow became director of community development for the organization and says combining forces has made him feel a bit less isolated in the pursuit of his mission.

“We want to position ourselves as a solution to Iowa’s workforce needs,” Morrow said. “The Latino and African-American communities are presenting Iowa with population growth, yet our young people are systematically ignored. We want to turn that around and act as a catalyst so Iowa can begin to grow its own source of talent.”

Partners in Economic Progress seeks talented teens with a desire to learn. The organization helps them progress toward higher education by giving them Internet access in their homes, mentoring and tutoring. The program also tracks their grades and attendance, and guides them through the college and financial aid application processes. Once the students are in college, the program continues to follow their progress and helps them find internship opportunities.

Though Morrow sometimes doubts that Iowa is ready to allow minority workers equal opportunities, he is encouraged by the relationships he forms every day with companies, activists, students, their families and the community.