CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. — Over one million Hispanics live in North Carolina, and over 17,000 live in Catawba County, according to the latest census numbers.

What You Need To Know

Hickory's Centro Latino has a new executive director after being without a leader for the past 10 years

Gianella Romero is the new director. She has personal ties to the nonprofit — her family immigrated from Mexico and her parents used the organization's services in the past

Romero wants to bring awareness to the community about the nonprofit, raise money and help first-generation college applicants complete FAFSA forms  

So it was a surprise to Gianella Romero that Hickory's Centro Latino, a nonprofit for the Hispanic community, hasn't had a leader in almost 10 years. 

"The organization was established by the churches in the area and in the greater Catawba Valley community. They've had board of directors, but no one to really take the reins," said Romero, who was recently named the organization's executive director. 

Romero's family immigrated from Mexico. Her ties with the organization go back more than 20 years when her parents used Centro Latino's services. 

"My parents took the parenting classes that were offered, so I benefited from these courses that Centro Latino has to offer, and it's made me into the person I am today," Romero said. 

She graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University and has been in nonprofit work for several years. 

“I feel compelled to help. I know that I can’t change the world, but I can change at least one person’s world," Romero said.

Her goals are to raise money for the organization, and bring more community engagement and programs, including festivals, job fairs, English language classes for adults and tutoring for children.