Originally Posted: December 20, 2017
Jorge Baldor is a Dedman College Executive Board Member
Think Dallas philanthropist and the image of a well-heeled Texan with gray hair and designer boots comes to mind, the kind of donor who gives enough to see the family name on a building.
But you won’t see the name Jorge Baldor carved in stone. His substantial donations go to efficient and agile startup charities and grass-roots empowerment projects that change the way things work in this town, but hardly gain him much fame.
“There are enough people in the spotlight,” Cuban-born Baldor said. “The reality is no one does it by themselves.”
In this quiet way, Baldor’s efforts have boosted Hispanic business leaders, made the Dallas arts community more successful than ever, and are changing the face of a neighborhood. He takes a hands-on approach to his projects, providing recipients with opportunities to live their dreams. For his uncommon impact, Baldor is a finalist for the 15th annual Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year.
Baldor, 62, graduated from Southern Methodist University and got his start in business running background checks for landlords. This made him financially comfortable. So he turned his attention to opening doors and opportunities to other Latinos. In 2015, he co-founded the Latino Center for Leadership Development to cultivate a new generation of Hispanic political leaders. READ MORE