Dominican American National Roundtable

Dominican American National Roundtable
Name	Dominican American National Roundtable
Formation	2010s
Headquarters	New York City
Region served	United States
Leader title	Executive Director

Dominican American National Roundtable is a civic organization focused on representing and advancing the interests of Dominican Americans in the United States. The Roundtable engages with policymakers, community leaders, and cultural institutions across New York City, Washington, D.C., and national forums to influence public policy and public discourse. It collaborates with advocacy groups, elected officials, and media outlets to elevate the profile of Dominican American issues in federal, state, and local arenas.

History

The Roundtable was founded in the 2010s amid demographic and political shifts affecting Dominican communities in New York City, Paterson, New Jersey, and Boston. Early convenings included leaders from Manhattan, representatives linked to Bronx civic associations, activists connected to La Colonia Dominicana networks, and scholars affiliated with Columbia University and Rutgers University. Its formation responded to policy debates involving immigration cases such as those seen in Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, legal challenges referenced in Plyler v. Doe-era discussions, and local electoral coalitions similar to those formed around figures like Adolfo Carrión Jr. and Leticia Remauro. Founding partners included community organizations modeled on Dominican Day Parade, Inc. and cultural institutions inspired by The National Museum of the American Latino planning efforts.

Mission and Objectives

The Roundtable's mission aligns with civic representation seen in organizations like National Council of La Raza and Hispanic Federation, seeking to increase Dominican American participation in civic life. Objectives emphasize voter engagement strategies used by Voto Latino and Mi Familia Vota, leadership development reminiscent of LeaderSphere programs, and research collaborations similar to projects at Pew Research Center. The Roundtable advances public awareness of issues affecting Dominican Americans through partnerships comparable to those between The New York Times and local community groups, and policy briefings modeled on testimony given before committees such as the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Organizational Structure

The Roundtable operates with a board of directors akin to governing bodies at Ford Foundation-affiliated grantees, an executive team analogous to leadership at Univision Communications, and advisory councils resembling the composition of Council on Foreign Relations advisory groups. Committees mirror subject-area groupings found in organizations such as Aspen Institute task forces, covering civic engagement, cultural affairs, and public policy. Regional chapters function similarly to networks like Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility and coordinate with municipal partners in jurisdictions including Queens and Union City, New Jersey.

Programs and Initiatives

Programs include voter registration drives modeled on campaigns by Rock the Vote and civic leadership academies inspired by Emerge America; cultural initiatives mirror festivals like Dominican Day Parade and exhibitions organized with institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of the City of New York. Research initiatives collaborate with academic centers like Hunter College and City College of New York and produce policy papers in the style of Brookings Institution and Urban Institute publications. Training programs for journalists and media professionals reflect partnerships similar to those between National Association of Hispanic Journalists and major outlets like NBC News and The Washington Post.

Advocacy and Policy Impact

The Roundtable has submitted testimony before bodies such as the United States Congress committees and engaged in coalition efforts resembling those by Coalición Dominicana USA and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. It has campaigned on issues connected to legislation like the Dream Act and administrative actions related to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy, while collaborating with law clinics modeled on programs at New York University School of Law and Harvard Law School. Advocacy work has entered public debates involving city agencies in New York City Hall and state legislatures in New Jersey.

Membership and Partners

Membership comprises community leaders, professionals, elected officials, and cultural figures similar to those active in Manhattan Borough President offices and state delegations including representatives from New Jersey General Assembly. Partners include nonprofits and foundations such as those modeled on Caribbean Cultural Center-type organizations, academic partners like CUNY campuses, and media collaborators akin to Telemundo and Univision. The Roundtable has worked with philanthropic entities following models of Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations grantmaking.

Notable Events and Publications

The Roundtable convenes annual policy summits echoing the format of Hispanic Heritage Month events and issue roundtables comparable to gatherings at Brookings Institution and The Atlantic Council. Publications include policy briefs, community reports, and oral histories produced in collaboration with scholars from Yale University and Princeton University and journalists affiliated with outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian. The organization has hosted panels featuring public figures akin to Nydia Velázquez, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and cultural presenters similar to Julio Urbina-style curators.

Category:Dominican American organizations