José Hernández-París was born in Colombia and has lived in Charlotte for 45 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Educational Leadership and a minor in Applied Psychology from Belmont Abbey College. He has a Nonprofit Management Certification from Duke University. Hernandez-Paris was a former executive director of The International House, led the Diversity Office of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, and in January 2016, became the chief executive officer of the Latin American Coalition. He has been recognized as a Community Service Person of the Year by the Excelente Awards (La Noticia Newspaper); A Hero of Democracy by The Charlotte Observer; Father of the Year by the Father’s Day Council; a Hometown Hero by WBT Radio and the Business Journal; The Cesar Chavez Liderazgo Award by Leadership in the Clouds; and Crown Jewel Award for Advocacy Organization of the Year (Mecklenburg County Government)