The NJCAAE Partners with LatinX
Mia White
Aug 4, 2022
National Junior College Athletic Association Esports and LatinX In Gaming NFP Form New Strategic Partnership
August 4, 2022
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – The National Junior College Athletic Association Esports (NJCAAE) and LatinX In Gaming announce the formation of a new strategic partnership. LatinX In Gaming serves as an advocacy group for the LatinX community to promote cultural appreciation, increase representation, providing a platform and professional development.
The parties seek to connect and uplift the LatinX community across the gaming industry through LatinX In Gaming and NJCAAE’s partnered online and community-based outreach programs and content.
Both organizations plan to work together by having joint promotional activities focused on benefiting the Latino community, providing opportunities and grants for two-year college students and promoting participation and involvement on campuses.
Executive Director of the NJCAAE, Jeff White, states, “Partnering with a group such as the LatinX In Gaming is crucial to the NJCAAE, as we are always promoting inclusion across the board. I look forward to seeing what we can do together within this partnership to better uplift and empower.”
"Latinx in Gaming is thrilled to partner with the NJCAAE to help grow and foster their inclusive network. We look forward to working together on some fun future projects that will help out our communities," said Juan Vaca, Vice President of the organization.
About the NJCAAE: NJCAA Esports (NJCAAE), the national governing body for two-year college esports in the United States, is proud to provide two-year college esports teams with governance, competition and official national championships. The governing body also provides guidance and positive development for two-year colleges to build and operate esports programs. Established in the Fall of 2019, the association continues to establish new partner relationships that assist in the growth of esports programs, add new titles for increased participation, and dedicate resources to the recruitment of new members.
The NJCAAE is committed to removing barriers to entry for all participants, including students and member institutions. Through the bring your own device and play from anywhere model, even campuses that are strictly online can offer an opportunity to engage their students for just $1,500. While student engagement is always a priority, it has perhaps never been more important than right now. No one disputes that an engaged student is a student that completes!
The association has experienced phenomenal growth. Beginning with only 12 teams, the following semesters grew to 28 teams (Spring ‘20), 69 teams (Fall ‘20), 81 teams (Spring ‘21), and a projection of 115 teams and 2,000+ student-athletes in the Fall of 2022. With the ultimate goal of providing a unique and engaging environment for student-athletes nationwide, the NJCAAE is where worlds of opportunity await.
About LatinX In Gaming: Founded in 2020, Latinx in Gaming ("LIGA") is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that serves as a platform to connect Latinos/latinx/latines across the gaming industry, promote cultural appreciation & representation in games/game-related content, and provide a platform for the Latinx community to elevate each other and themselves.
LIGA continues to elevate the LatinX community through its hosting of successful online events such as CONEXION (a virtual career fair), the Directo (showcasing games developed by the Latinx community), and UNIDOS (a Latin Heritage Month Celebration). These events have welcomed thousands of members from throughout the gaming industry and helped LIGA win The Game Awards’ Global Gaming Citizen Award in 2020.
In furtherance of its commitment to the community, LIGA has also awarded 50+ game industry professionals with gaming-focused grants in 2021. LIGA continues to expand its Latinx community-based events and grant offerings, with more events to be announced soon.
For NJCAAE:
Jeff White, Executive Director of Esports
(719) 590-9788
For LatinX In Gaming:
Joe Tirado, Strategic Director and Co-Founder
