BOSTON—A former Bronx school teacher was tapped as the new leader of a political group that has trained a number of Latino candidates to run for office in Massachusetts, the group's board of directors announced Wednesday .
Alejandra St. Guillen was selected from a number of candidates as the new executive director of Oiste? and replaces long-time executive director and founder Giovanna Negretti, who stepped down in September.
The Mission Hill-born activist and former public school teacher takes over Oiste?, which means "have you heard?", as the 10-year-old group readies to train a number of more minority candidates seeking office across the state.
St. Guillen served as the group's program manager since 2008 and was an aide to former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson. She taught sixth graders at a Bronx middle school from September 2000 to June 2002.
The nonprofit group has trained and supported Latino candidates who have won offices in Lawrence, Springfield, and Boston. The group helped launch the political careers of former Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo, his son and current Boston City Councilor Felix G. Arroyo, and its endorsement has become important for many candidates seeking to garner Latino votes.
