Dennis Sanchez

Dennis Sanchez
Founder of East Side Spirit and Pride, Dennis Sanchez with co-author Nancy Ramirez (right)
Occupation	Professor
Language	English, Spanish
Nationality	United States
Citizenship	United States
Alma mater	University of Southern California, San Francisco State University
Genre	English Grammar Literature analysis
Notable works	Grammar Perfect, Reflections from a Looking Glass, Literature Made Easy

Dennis R. Sanchez was born in 1956 in Los Angeles. A graduate of the University of Southern California and San Francisco State University, he is a critically acclaimed author. In addition, he is a professor of English at East Los Angeles College and founded the organization, East Side Spirit and Pride, and serves as its current advisor. He was born and raised in East Los Angeles and now resides in Woodland Hills, CA.

Dennis Sanchez is also closely connected with Father Greg Boyle and is a sponsor and long-time supporter of Father Boyle's non-profit organization, Homeboy Industries in Downtown Los Angeles. Professor Sanchez is currently in charge of operating a program at Homeboy Industries called Bridge to College, where he hopes to make it feasible for the homeboys to attend community colleges in the local vicinity such as East Los Angeles College in order to receive a preliminary education. In order to achieve this objective, he in conjunction with East Side Spirit and Pride has organized several fundraising events to raise sufficient funds. On March 29, 2012, East Side Spirit and Pride hosted a special dinner at Steven's Steakhouse in Commerce, California, where local celebrities such as Chase Masterson, actress in film Yesterday Was a Lie and author Luis J. Rodriguez, author of Always Running spoke. Other honorees include L.A. mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Hilda Solis, Father Greg Boyle and Sheriff Lee Baca. All the profits made by this event proceed directly to the establishing of grants and scholarships for selected individuals from Homeboy Industries and East Side Spirit and Pride.

In March 2015, Santa Monica Chief of Police Jacqueline Seabrooks will receive recognition at the East Side Spirit and Pride annual fundraising dinner, as well as Father Greg Boyle.