Carlos Medina, a bus operator, holding his award in the United States House of Representatives. Photo: Peru Village LA Facebook.

Carlos Medina, a Chatsworth bus operator for Metro, has been awarded for “Excellence in Leadership in the Peruvian Community” by the Peruvian American National Council and the U.S. Congress for establishing Peru Village LA.

In an effort to add a layer of Peruvian culture to the diverse communities of Los Angeles, Carlos Medina and the Peruvian community formed Peru Village LA to create a geographic location in Los Angeles which can provide community services, bridge cultures and promote commerce and economic growth here and abroad.

Medina is the community liaison for Peru Village LA and was invited to Washington D.C. to help commemorate Peruvian Independence Day on July 28. In D.C., Medina, including other members of Peru Village LA, participated in a policy discussion with White House cabinet staff regarding immigration reform, the new healthcare program and the growing commerce in Latin America.

“We had the great opportunity to share our story and relay a growing message of civic duty and community service which is central to our organization’s vision,” said Medina. “It was a great honor to have participated and been recognized at the highest levels of this great nation.”

Angelenos are very familiar with the tiny cultural neighborhoods throughout the city, ranging from Little Tokyo to Chinatown to Little Armenia. Now, the stretch of Vine Street between Melrose Avenue and De Longpre  Avenue could soon be officially added to this list as Peru Village. And even Eric Garcetti, the new Mayor of Los Angeles whose old city council district contains the neighborhood, supports the proposal for Peru Village.