Conversations with Braulio Rivas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Braulio Rivas

Hi Braulio, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, hi! My name is Braulio Rivas and I am honored to be able to share a little of my story with you and your readers. Thank you VoyageKC for this platform you have created to inspire and encourage so many with stories we would not hear about if it were not for media outlets, like yours, who are intentional in what you do, muchas gracias amigos!

I moved to Kansas City back in January of 2014 from St. Louis, MO. The day I moved here, a snowstorm blew in overnight and I woke up to what seemed to be three plus feet of snow. It was a rare snow that we had not seen for a long time. A car ride that would normally take 3.5 hours to drive took me almost 7 hours while pulling my moving trailer behind in my truck. I wish that was an exaggeration. It was a wild start to what I consider to be one of the greatest life choices to date.

So, what brought me to K.C. and how did I get to where I am today? Opportunity and a leap of faith did. Prior to moving here, I was fortunate to meet some amazing people who became a significant influence in my life and a key part of who I am today. It was through their mentorship and friendship, built on a strong like-minded foundation, that helped to equip me with the necessary tools to chase things that mattered based on my value system.

I know that it can be such an annoying cliché at times, but I truly do believe that who you surround yourself with matters. A healthy community matters and it is so important for our own personal growth. That is why what I do outside of work is so important to me. I know what the power of community can do not only in our personal lives but in the lives of those around us. I am grateful to say I have found a community that does just that.

Currently, I serve as President of an organization called the Young Latino Professionals of Kansas City (YLPKC). Established in 2007, YLPKC is a network of more than 350 passionate individuals from all backgrounds and various industries who come together to shape their communities while developing as leaders. YLPKC was the brainchild the Greater Kansas City Hispanic Collaborative, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that works to create opportunities that may have been previously unexplored by young Latino professionals in Greater Kansas City. Our sister organization, Latinos of Tomorrow (LOTs) is another program of the Hispanic Collaborative and we all proudly fall under the umbrella of the Hispanic Chamber of Greater Kansas City.

Our organization was formed to connect leaders and positively impact communities. YLPKC provides opportunities for young leaders to engage with like-minded peers through social and professional networking, philanthropic outreach and professional development. I am so grateful to have been part of this amazing organization since December of 2019. I officially became President in January of 2023 and I am currently serving my second year as el presidente. This year for 2024, I am also proud to become part of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Board with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City. What a cool name, right?

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Board (JEDI) Board is a group of community leaders that champion Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion initiatives for the agency by focusing on recruiting volunteers to become Bigs. The goal of the JEDI Advisory Board is to recruit diverse Bigs through community outreach, networking at various events, fostering meaningful relationships with community leaders, and helping to provide inclusive programming.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I appreciate this question so much. I can most certainly tell you that this has not been a smooth or easy road. When I moved to KC I really was in a place of my life looking for identity. Forced out of a job I served loyally for 8 years, I had wrapped my identity in what I did and less in who I was. I think so many can relate with that. For some their is no question that someone can pick a direction, follow it, become successful and make it seem all so easy. But others, like me, nothing ever came easy.

My parents are Mexican born immigrants who later became US Citizens in the early 90’s (for my mom) and early 2000’s (for my dad). Growing up we were not poor but we definitely where not wealthy either. I remember both my parents, at times, working two jobs to provide the best education they could afford, sports and all the things that come with raising children.

My father was who I looked to when it came to working hard and adopted his work ethic. My mom, on the other hand, was the dreamer. As a little girl my mom always knew that she was put on this earth to do something meaningful. She has the biggest giving and serving heart that I have ever known. I have seen my mother take people into our home, love them, feed them and never asked for a dime in return. I certainly like to believe, that I got that part of me from her. Growing up my mom said something to me that I have carried with me my entire life. She said Braulio, you were born to be something greater than yourself. You are an American but your blood is Mexican. Be the best of both worlds and be proud of who you are. I did not know it at the time, but this would begin to shape my identity.

To me, this was my obstacle and challenge. For years I walked through life thinking I wasn’t good enough. Despite excelling in sports, I had all the friends a kid could desire, I really did not lack much other than the fact that I felt like I just wasn’t living up to my potential all because I lacked identity. Remember those friends and mentors I mentioned earlier, it was through their commitment to helping me discover who I am and who I could be that I credit learning how to navigate through the obstacles and challenges of life.

The first term I served on the YLP board, the world shut down, literally thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this happening, we stayed strong as a board and managed to overcome the setbacks we were faced with and came out stronger than ever. Just two years later, we celebrated our 15th year anniversary and we threw a Quinceañera! We brough together that evening the past, the present and the future. It was one of the most memorable events to date. We set a goal to raise $15,000 and we smashed it raising almost $26,000! The community rallied for us and this spring boarded us to begin to take YLPKC to a whole new level!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When I am not involved with YLP and BBBS organization, I work for a staffing agency as the regional sales manager located in KCK. I have been in sales since 2014. I love the interaction with people and I love being face to face to help provide a service or a product that can truly help better someone’s life.

What I love about what I do is that all the wonderful things I have learned with serving on the board of YLPKC, what I learned through intentional mentorship and being actively involved with the Hispanic Chamber, I get to use and apply in my everyday work. Its no accident that my path has taken me down a journey that involves helping others.

I have never been a fan of talking about myself. It feels weird to me. My friends would tell you however, I am known for the genuine heart of have that never seems to want to stop serving or helping others. Meaningful relationships matter a lot to me. People matter to me. I love to listen to what people have to say because I learn so much about the good and the bad. But if the opportunity to help someone believe in themselves again presents itself, I will always do my best to remind someone who they are and that they do matter!

What I believe sets me apart from anyone, is that I will always find the good in you even when you think you are not. I needed that when I was growing up and now I want to be there for anyone that is struggling to find their identity.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
Luck? I believe luck can certainly play a role at times, but their is nothing lucky about what happens when your consistent work finally gets noticed and the opportunities present themselves as a result. See, if we are intentional in making the right connections and establishing the right relationships, lucky is the person who meets you because you (or we) can help open doors they could have never imaged.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/ylpkc
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ylpkc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ylpkc
• Other: [email protected]