My Energy (Andrew Lopez): TAMACC E-Newsletter

Friday, February 6, 2026

TAMACC E-Newsletter

Friday, February 6, 2026

Leadership Tejas Class III Applications Open

Attend the Zoom Orientation

Leadership Tejas invites emerging and established leaders from across Texas who are interested in strengthening their leadership skills and expanding their statewide impact.

The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) is now accepting applications for Leadership Tejas Class III, the next cohort of its six-month Adventure Learning leadership program designed for professionals committed to growth, service, and leadership development.

Individuals interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to attend the upcoming virtual orientation session:

Leadership Tejas Orientation Zoom Call

Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Time: 12:00 p.m. (Central Time)

Registration: https://us06web.zoom.us/.../register/fy7WgG8JThCzYZw3b-rG5Q

Leadership Tejas goes beyond traditional leadership training. Participants convene one weekend each month in different Texas cities, engaging in immersive, place-based learning experiences. These in-person sessions are complemented by virtual training between weekends to maintain continuity and momentum. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, exposure to Texas’s economic and civic landscape, and the development of practical leadership tools.

This session will provide an overview of the program, expectations, and application process, and will include time for questions.

Application Deadline: February 16, 2026 - https://www.leadershiptejas.org/

Individuals interested in learning more about the program are encouraged to attend the upcoming virtual orientation session.

TAMACC Launches the Inaugural Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon

TAMACC is proud to announce a new event to its schedule this year. In partnership with the Roy P. Benavidez family and foundation, TAMACC and Leadership Tejas will host, for the first time, the Roy P. Benavidez Scholarship Luncheon.

If you are interested in attending, sponsoring a table, or helping underwrite the event, do not hesitate to contact the TAMACC office at president@tamacc.org or (512) 444-5727.

Downwind: An Opera Born from Nuclear Fallout

Before sunrise on July 16, 1945, the New Mexico desert became the epicenter of a new and terrifying era. The Trinity test—the world’s first nuclear explosion—changed the planet forever, without warning the tens of thousands of people living nearby.

In the years that followed, families across surrounding communities began to suffer mysterious and devastating health effects. They became known as the Downwinders—ordinary people living with the consequences of an extraordinary and closely guarded secret.

This episode explores Downwind, a world-premiere opera by student composers Michael Smith and Demian Galvan. After traveling to New Mexico to better understand the land and the legacy of Trinity, the composers bring these often-ignored stories to the stage. As Smith writes, “While the family in our opera is fictional, the reality that they face is not.”

Together, we examine the history, the harm, and the haunting beauty of a work that asks a powerful question: what does progress cost—and who is made to pay the price?

LISTEN OR DOWNLOAD HERE

TAMACC Supports Ciudad Acuña’s Running Las Vacas to Boost Cross-Border Tourism

Ciudad Acuña continues to shine as a vibrant destination for tourism and cross-border collaboration, with local officials highlighting ongoing efforts to promote the region’s attractions and safety.

One of the city’s signature events, Running Las Vacas, is set for March 20–22, drawing participants and visitors from across Texas. This annual celebration not only showcases the city’s culture and community but also reinforces Ciudad Acuña’s reputation as the safest border city in Mexico, with Coahuila consistently ranked among the country’s safest states.

To make the event more accessible, organizers will provide an hourly shuttle service from Del Rio to Acuña and back, featuring preferred seating for tourists arriving via shuttle. This year, the Governor of Coahuila is scheduled to attend, underscoring the event’s significance for the region.

City officials are encouraging supporters to help promote Running Las Vacas, sharing event details and multimedia content to expand awareness in Texas. “Growing visibility in our neighboring state is essential to the continued success of this unique event,” said local organizers.

Ciudad Acuña looks forward to welcoming guests this March for a memorable celebration of sport, culture, and cross-border community.

VIDEO