Life & Work with Frank Davila of Aurora, CO

Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Davila

Hi Frank, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up as a migrant worker picking cotton at the age of 6 and learned English as a first grader. I attended 11 different public schools and thanks to my high school counselor, Ms. Allison, I was accepted at three different universities. I attended the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, and after graduation taught Spanish in middle and high school. I received my draft notice from the US Army to report the spring semester of my first year of teaching. I opted to enroll in a “delayed entry” program which added an additional year of military service so that I could finish out my year teaching. I was accepted in the Officer Candidate School and was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. I am proud of this experience that taught added leadership skills and a more focused mindset.

I have always been active in the community advocating for the marginalized individuals. I was the charter president of our local League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council and later a co-founder of the Bilingual Education Association of the Metroplex (BEAM) in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. I developed a desire to pursue my masters and my PhD to have better access to employment and boards and commissions. My work as a teacher, assistant principal, school principal, central office administrator and state director for programs provided the experience to pursue consultant work in the leadership and emergent English arenas.

I began writing my memoir while my father was still living to learn from about my family heritage. The ancestry research, DNA testing, and genealogical forums helped me appreciate the vast history and memorable events of so many of us and how that impacts who we have become. I continue to write essays on a variety of topics and was a co-founder of the Colorado Alliance of Latino Mentors and Authors (CALMA) after observing the general public’s limited awareness of Latino published authors in the state of Colorado. My doctoral dissertation was in the area of educational leadership focusing on mentoring and its impact for upward career mobility, This has served me well as CALMA is rooted in mentoring aspiring Latino writers.

I currently serve as a member of the Honor Guard for the Mile Hi Veterans as we present the colors at various events and also a member of the City of Aurora Veterans Affairs Commission as well as an Advisory Member for the University of Colorado, Denver’s School of Education and Human Development.

A a teenager, I wanted to a magazine editor, a published author, a military officer and a successful career professional. I was part owner of the Latino Monthly magazine in Denton, Texas, in which I was the Executive editor. I have published my Memoir, “An Outburst of Dreams. Becoming a military officer was a great challenge but rewarding one. My PhD gave me added inspiration and confidence to realize my professional dreams that I had sought as a migrant worker years ago.

Our four children, eleven grandchildren keep us busy along with our ongoing US and international travels.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I recall an educator distinguish between economic and intellectual poverty. I did experience economic poverty but a rich experience of family support that introduced me to music with labor intense leadership opportunities when I was driving a 2 1/2 ton truck and taking laborers to the fields and being in charge of all the details before, during, and after the work day.

As a high school student and a university student, I was criticized for my informal use in writing English essays and later was told by one professor that I would have difficulty finishing my master’s degree. That prompted me to study linguistics to obtain a deep understanding of the English language. My bilingual and bicultural background and background experiences have been great tools in discussing and advocating for a more open language and cultural access avenues in educational institutions.

As a strong community advocate for social justice, I was denied leadership in public schools after I had been labeled a radical. That taught me how to find better approaches to seek solutions without jeopardizing my principles despite discriminatory experiences along the way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am currently retired and continue to mentor and support leadership professionals via Podcasts on leadership, journals, and personal contacts. I volunteer in selected programs that invigorate me and where I know I am making a worthy contribution. This includes mentoring, coaching, non-profit organizational support, veterans, and individual leaders seeking guidance.

What’s next?
Passing the Torch, meaning that I want to discover and invite young generations (to include my children and grandchildren) to consider thinking how their individual stories and experiences are intertwined with prior generations. I would encourage and support them to write their perceptions, ideas, and thoughts and to help them realize how much more knowledge they can accumulate by sharing their stories with others.

Our current world offers a deep reservoir of unmet needs and challenges and amazing stories that need to be chronicled for our future generations or they will not be available if discarded or ignored.

I will continue to finish my three manuscripts and publish these.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.calmaco.org

Image Credits
My personal photos