On December 13, Canal Alliance CEO Omar Carrera delivered the commencement address at Dominican University of California, where he was also awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his leadership and advocacy for immigrant communities. In his speech, Omar shared his deep connection to Dominican his commitment to the values that he, Dominican, and Canal Alliance share; values of resilience, inclusion, and service.
In his speech, Omar shared a powerful message about the role of education and humanity in shaping a better world. Quoting Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, he reminded graduates: “Education does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.” He encouraged the Class of 2025 to choose humanity first — listening before judging, seeing people beyond labels, and embracing curiosity over fear. “If you want to change the world, start by changing yourself,” he said, inspiring graduates to lead with courage, compassion, and a commitment to creating communities where everyone can belong.