Meet Thomas Lopez | Engineer and Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Thomas Lopez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Thomas, why did you pursue a creative career?
I like to say, “I do what I do because I can’t see myself not doing it.” Today I work as an engineering manager in R&D for a medical device company but my second and longest vocation has been non-profit work supporting the multiracial community. This group consists of mixed-race individuals, interracial couples and families, and transracially adoptive families. These interests may seem like disparate fields, but I see them all as part of a continuous creative outlet.

I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil. My college application essay was about studying engineering to build better Legos. My first job starting in high school and throughout college was drawing caricatures at Knott’s Berry Farm. In college I discovered the multiracial movement and for decades I have been producing programming, events, films, artwork, speaking engagements, and policy proposals. Engineering is just another extension of that creative energy only with a different pallet. The thrill behind all these activities is starting with something that began merely as a thought but through sweat and sometimes tears becomes something real. That high usually lasts for a hot minute until something goes sideways. And that’s when I get the bug to do it all over again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If I had a single propelling force it would be the fear of being bored.

As an engineer, almost all my career decisions were driven by this concern. I have chosen projects and left jobs to always be working on something new. When I felt I mastered something, I moved on and learned what I needed to learn as I went. I have failed many times. Products don’t meet specs. Unexpected issues happen in the field. Projects get cancelled after working on them for years. These are all reasons that might cause others to give up. Now, in the medical device industry, I get inspired by the impact my work has improving people’s lives as they overcome their medical conditions.

In my multiracial work, the field is so wide and the need so great that there is room for almost any project. When I wanted to study California state agencies for compliance to state law counting multiracial people, I found an intern and we just did it. During the pandemic when I needed a creative outlet, I created a children’s coloring book. My latest project is producing a film festival to share the stories of Latinos of Mixed Ancestry (LOMA) because who doesn’t like a good movie?

Not all my projects pan out. Some are popular, some only reach a few people. But regardless of the reception I always focus on quality. Because if I can reach just one person and they say I made a difference in their life then it was worthwhile.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived my whole life in Los Angeles, and I love California, East, West, North, South and Central. If I were to show a friend around, I wouldn’t focus on my favorite things. Rather, I would want to show them the places they would find interesting. Fortunately, the beauty of this area is its diversity and there is something for everyone. Los Angeles is known for its car culture, but once you get through the traffic there are walkable funky neighborhoods everywhere. I might show them a little bit of history as well as something modern. I would want them to see the beauty of the local environment from the beach to the high Sierras. I like both the ethnic enclaves and the shopping malls. But if it were my best friend visiting, it really wouldn’t matter where we were since it’s the time spent together that counts.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank Multiracial Americans of Southern California, all of its board members, supporters, and the multiracial community at large. They have been the source of both agony and ecstasy. But through all the good times and hard times they have always been my source of inspiration and reason to exist.

I also thank my wife, Helen, who supports me and puts up with all the demands this work puts on my time. She is generous to share me with this passion of mine and by doing so has enabled me to live a fuller life.

Website: https://multiracialamericans.org/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-lopez-5990358

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatinasAndLatinosOfMixedAncestry

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MultiracialAmericans

Other: These are not my contacts (except LinkedIn), but rather for projects I have worked on which mean more to me than more contacts.