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Bobby Gaytan’s “Flowers for JJ” mural honoring Boise community leader JJ Saldaña, in downtown Boise, Idaho, August 24, 2024.
Boise community leader JJ Saldaña died in his sleep September 22, 2024.
Saldaña was the Community Resource Development Specialist for the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and was highly visible in the halls of the Statehouse, local TV studios, the sidewalks of Downtown Boise, Hispanic & Latino community events, and beyond.
He was born in the small town of Elko, Nevada, and attended school at Boise State University. He planned to return home to Elko after college but told the Idaho Speakeasy podcast he fell in love with Boise and stayed. In more than 20 years with the ICHA, he dedicated himself to strengthening Idaho – both its Latino community as well as many other causes and organizations.
JJ was the co-host of the Latino Card podcast, a board member for the Voices Internship of Idaho, a member of the Boise Police Department’s Community Advisory Panel, a member of the Boise City Arts & History Commission, and more.
He built a large following on the Twitter social media platform, which he leveraged to advocate for Idaho’s Latinos. He would tell folks about new Latino and Latina reporters in the area, talked about his travels around the state for the ICHA, and shared photos of his niece and nephew.
In just the last week, JJ appeared on a panel at the University of Idaho to discuss leadership, at the Idaho Statehouse with Gov. Brad Little and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, and in a local TV studio to tell people about a new Idaho Hispanic Heritage Month cookbook.
Boise community leader JJ Saldaña died in his sleep September 22, 2024.
Saldaña was the Community Resource Development Specialist for the Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs and was highly visible in the halls of the Statehouse, local TV studios, the sidewalks of Downtown Boise, Hispanic & Latino community events, and beyond.
He was born in the small town of Elko, Nevada, and attended school at Boise State University. He planned to return home to Elko after college but told the Idaho Speakeasy podcast he fell in love with Boise and stayed. In more than 20 years with the ICHA, he dedicated himself to strengthening Idaho – both its Latino community as well as many other causes and organizations.
JJ was the co-host of the Latino Card podcast, a board member for the Voices Internship of Idaho, a member of the Boise Police Department’s Community Advisory Panel, a member of the Boise City Arts & History Commission, and more.
He built a large following on the Twitter social media platform, which he leveraged to advocate for Idaho’s Latinos. He would tell folks about new Latino and Latina reporters in the area, talked about his travels around the state for the ICHA, and shared photos of his niece and nephew.
In just the last week, JJ appeared on a panel at the University of Idaho to discuss leadership, at the Idaho Statehouse with Gov. Brad Little and Boise Mayor Lauren McLean to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, and in a local TV studio to tell people about a new Idaho Hispanic Heritage Month cookbook.
- Copyright
- (C) 2024 Gregg Mizuta
- Image Size
- 6730x4489 / 24.2MB
- Gregg Mizuta
- Contained in galleries
- Bobby Gaytan - JJ Saldana
