Joe Castro: Humble trailblazer
Our community is grieving the loss of Dr. Joseph Castro, a remarkable leader whose passing leaves a hole in the heart of the Central Valley. While he will be remembered nationally as a trailblazer in higher education and the first Californian to serve as chancellor of the CSU system, those of us who knew him will remember something even more profound: the way he led with heart, humility, and love.
I experienced Dr. Castro’s leadership firsthand. When I reached out to him as a nonprofit leader, he didn’t just encourage me from afar. He embraced my ideas, lifted me up, and made me feel like my voice mattered.
His generosity was constant and genuine. When I invited him to join the Central Valley Latino Giving Circle, his reply came in less than 10 minutes: “Hi Olga: Thank you! Yes, I would like to join. To whom should I send the check? Joe.” No hesitation, no delay — just immediate commitment to supporting his community. That was who he was: responsive, generous, and always willing to show up…