Tommy Espinoza is the former president and CEO of Raza Development Fund with a history of working in nonprofit organizations, specializing in financial services, credit analysis, social impact, and business development. Tommy started as a carpenter volunteering with Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) where Ronnie Lopez hired him to assist with CPLC’s housing program. His time at CPLC allowed him to find mentors and support in understanding community development within CPLC and the organization’s connections. CPLC also provided Espinoza with political experience, in both the non-profit and government sphere. He has become an influential leader in Phoenix, AZ, and continues to offer direction and advice to help the local community he serves.
Interview (2022) Summary
In this interview, Tommy Espinoza reflects on his experiences growing up in Arizona and the generational and personal hardships of being Mexican American in Arizona. He shares about his time in school and the lack of resources provided to Mexican Americans going into the workforce straight from the state educational system. Espinoza started as a carpenter with Chicanos Por La Causa after being fired from his last job and working in the center of these organizations advocating for civil rights in Phoenix. He was able to become involved in the work of CPLC and helped shape the organization’s housing program. He discusses the limitations of relying on funding from outside sources and grants while talking about the creation of a community development model that involved business strategies to create profit that is invested back into the community. Through his business efforts and connections with other CDCs, Espinoza was able to fund further programming and made CPLC more independent from outside funding sources given that there was more freedom in speaking out and participating in political and social matters.
Key Terms
Community development, housing, Chicano, Phoenix, Chicanos Por La Causa, learning, education
Date: April 26, 2022
Interviewers: Faculty advisor Dr. Lindsey Passenger Wieck and Research assistant Camryn Blackmon
