LA SED hosted another successful Recognition Luncheon on Thursday, May 7 at the MGM Grand Detroit. The theme of this year’s luncheon was “Community: Shared Strength with Many Voices”. More than 400 supporters gathered to celebrate LA SED’s 61 years of delivering critical social services, advocacy and support to the Hispanic population and other residents of Southwest Detroit.
Special guest Mayor Mary Sheffield kicked off the program by bringing greetings to the LA SED guests. The mayor congratulated LA SED for its commitment to serving the needs of Southwest Detroit residents, particularly for its work in uplifting children, empowering families and ensuring that seniors and newcomers have access to the resources they need to succeed.
This year’s keynote speaker was Jacquelyn Puente, Vice President of External Affairs at Comcast and Chair of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Puente spoke to the theme of this year’s luncheon of “Shared Strength with Many Voices”.
“One of the themes I like to talk about when I come out and talk to folks is how this room is the perfect example of what is going right in our country, Puente explained. “And that is the cohesion and the community between our business leaders, our community organizations, and our government.”
Puente concluded her remarks by emphasizing the unity theme: “ When business, community and government can come together with purpose, we don’t just bridge the divides, we build those pathways, pathways to opportunity and prosperity and pathways to a future where no one is left behind.”
During the luncheon, special recognition was given to the following award recipients:
- E&L Supermercado, recipient of the Board of Directors Award
A mainstay of Southwest Detroit businesses for more than 80 years, E&L was recognized for its dedication to serving the needs of the community from offering quality meats, deli and grocery products to continually reaching out to support the community at times of need — such as during the flooding caused by the massive water main break in February 2025 and many other causes too numerous to mention. [Note: E&L Supermercado suffered fire, smoke and water damage at the hands of an alleged arsonist on the morning of May 11. See the evolving story on pg 1.]
- Juan Class de Rios, Senior of the Year Award
Now retired, Juan served for more than 30 years as a municipal police officer in Puerto Rico. After the loss of his wife, Aida Luz Ortiz, he moved to Michigan and later joined the Wellness Program at LA SED. Juan continues his lifetime of service to others by helping at LA SED wherever and whenever he can.
- Gael Orozco Valdivia, Youth of the Year Award
Gael is a sixth-grade student at Amelia Earhart Elementary-Middle School and the son of Silvia Denisse Valdivia Arevalo and Humberto Orozco Contreras. His family has benefitted from LA SED programs in citizenship and education and his involvement in the youth program has helped him grow into a confident and motivated young man and an inspiration to those around him.
