A Diamond Learning Center sign was dedicated earlier this year on a Clovis Community College scoreboard. Photo by Ben Hensley

Jami De La Cerda, founder and owner of Diamond Learning Center, Inc. (DLC), an adult-day program for adults with intellectual disabilities, was recognized earlier this month by the Clovis Community College Foundation after pledging half-a million dollars in support of the foundation’s general fund.

De La Cerda, who has championed the college’s athletic and educational programs, will be given the naming opportunity for the future college sports complex.

 

A single mother with over 40 years of experience in the education field, De La Cerda credits her inspiration to her three sons. In 2005, De La Cerda established DLC six months before giving birth to twin boys Elijah and Samuel. Elijah, who was born with Down Syndrome, was the driving force behind Samuel’s book, Am I Invisible, in which he helps share the message De La Cerda promotes: “Every child is born to shine.” 

De La Cerda and DLC celebrated a milestone earlier this year, acquiring a new 60,000 square-foot facility, the future home of DLC and several other business ventures connected with the learning center.

The donation to the college is not the college’s first partnership with De La Cerda and DLC; in 2022, the two aligned their mission of inclusive education and in 2023, the signage at Crush Field was dedicated to DLC for Jami’s impact at both DLC and Clovis Community College.

De La Cerda and her family often attend Crush sporting events with students from DLC.

The partnership between the two organizations was officially honored in 2023, when Crush Athletics received the DLC 2023 Diamond L.I.F.E. Community Partner Award.