Longtime community advocates Frank and Eloise Reyes are the honorary chairs, or the padrino y madrina de honor, for the 8th annual Latino Education and Advocacy Days Summit at Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday, May 30.

The free, one-day summit will take place from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the university’s Santos Manuel Student Union with the focus “Sin Fronteras — Education Beyond Borders.”

The LEAD VIII Summit brings together teaching professionals and educators, researchers, academics, scholars, administrators, independent writers and artists, policy and program specialists, students, parents, civic leaders, activists and advocates.

Frank Reyes, a CSUSB graduate and a member of San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees representing Area 1, and Eloise Reyes, state Assembly Member representing the 47th District (San Bernardino, Fontana, Rialto, Colton, Grand Terrace), were both elected to their current posts in November 2016.

Frank Reyes received his bachelor of arts in Spanish (with a minor in business administration) and master of arts in counseling (with a pupil personnel credential) from CSUSB, and completed his doctorate in education at Nova University (short his dissertation). 

A longtime advocate for higher education, he began his professional career as an outreach coordinator for his alma mater’s Educational Opportunity Program, and later went on to work in various capacities over 33 years at San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College, and the San Bernardino Community College District. His posts ranged from counselor to associate vice chancellor for governmental affairs. He also served for three years as executive director for the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Foundation.

Eloise Reyes, born and raised in Colton, was the first Latina to open her own law office in the Inland Empire, first in San Bernardino, then in her hometown. After graduating from Colton High, she attended San Bernardino Valley College and transferred to the University of Southern California. She received her law degree from Loyola Law School.

Before she was elected to Sacramento, Eloise Reyes spent her legal career helping injured workers.  Her private practice included workers’ compensation and personal injury.  In addition, she dedicated much time, treasure and talent to helping the indigent.  She was a member of the Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Association, which has Legal Aid Clinics in the Inland Empire, where she volunteered for more than 30 years. Recently, she was named Attorney of the Year for her unequaled hours of volunteer work.

She was a co-founder of the Inland Empire Community Health Center in Bloomington and was active on many boards, including the Children’s’ Spine Foundation, Inland Empire Latino Lawyers Assoc., SBVC Foundation Board, The Brightest Star Foundation (for foster youth), and the National Orange Show board of directors. Eloise Reyes was also commissioned for a five-year term as an advocate with the Mexican Consulate for San Bernardino, California.

Often referred to as the “power couple,” Frank and Eloise Reyes have been married for 36 years. They have a son, Kristofer, who is a college student.

For more information and to register online for the conference, visit the LEAD Summit website, or call (909) 537-7632.