Luz Mouton.
Luz Marleny Mouton, a native of Colombia, is the founder and director of the Racuyfo US Foundation (Roots Culture and Education), a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive impact on the community through various programs. Her vision stems from her early years living in the countryside for the first nine years of her life, where she developed a love for nature and an appreciation for her surroundings. Later, she moved to the port city of Buenaventura, Valle del Cauca (Colombia), with her mother, where she was surrounded by love and good values, and she discovered her innate gift of serving and loving others. Her upbringing was influenced by Afro-Colombian culture, where she learned about its expressions and cultivated a deep love for this vibrant heritage. It was in this environment that she started her community work, helping in any way she could at her young age. As a social visionary, Luz Marleny Mouton has dedicated a significant part of her life to creating programs that promote culture, diversity, and social well-being. These programs also raise awareness about the importance of caring for and loving one another as human beings. Her work in the community spans decades and has left a lasting impact from Houston to her homeland, Colombia. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the 'Viste al Desnudo' (Dress the Naked) campaign in 2000, which focused on collecting all kinds of supplies sent to vulnerable communities in extreme poverty in Venezuela and Colombia. In Houston, she provides humanitarian aid to many homeless individuals. Another program is dedicated to meeting the needs of immigrant children and families during the Christmas season by supplying them with new clothes, toys, and pantry items, creating happy memories for the families. During the back-to-school period in August, she organizes the collection and distribution of backpacks for students. Her vision extends beyond social programs. Luz Marleny Mouton has also been devoted to promoting Latin American folklore, music, indigenous and Afro art in Houston through cultural events. Her social contributions are not limited to these endeavors. In 2012, she joined the national campaign 'La Verdad del Corazón' (The Heart Truth) with a focus on educating the community about the importance of recognizing signs of heart problems. This led to the creation of 'Día del Vestido Rojo' (Red Dress Day), an educational social event aimed at spreading the message of prevention and risk factors related to heart disease and strokes, especially within the Latino community, which is one of the most affected. Her outstanding work has not gone unnoticed. Luz Marleny Mouton has received prestigious awards and accolades, such as the 'Premio 100 Colombianos dejando huellas en el exterior' (Award for 100 Colombians Leaving a Mark Abroad) presented by the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, and the FUCIONARTE organization. She also received a 'Mención de Honor' (Honorable Mention) from the University of the Pacific in Colombia for her leadership in promoting contributions to culture and art. Other awards include 'Mujer del Año' (Woman of the Year) presented by the SUCESOS newspaper, the 'Premio del Presidente' (President's Award) from the Lions Club, the 'Premio Pasión' (Passion Award) from LULAC, the '100 Mujeres Hispanas en Liderazgo' (100 Hispanic Women in Leadership) award for her significant contributions to the community, the 'Community Leadership' award from Prairie View University, and recognition from the University of Santiago de Cali as an 'Embajadora Dia del Vestido Rojo' (Ambassador for Red Dress Day), among others. Luz Marleny Mouton has been an active member of organizations such as the Royal Oak Lions Club, the Latino Learning Center, Dia de la Mujer Latina, the Hispanic Cultural Institute, and many others. Her dedication to social consciousness is truly exceptional. Today, at over 72 years of age, married, and a mother of six children, with 17 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, Luz Marleny Mouton resides in Houston, TX, since 1988. She continues to work directly and indirectly for the community, engaging in programs that exemplify the power of the desire to serve and help, positively impacting the community and the world.
