Keynote Speaker Erica Alfaro
By NCI For a long time, Erica Alfaro was looking for a book that…
Inspiring Stories
Ricardo Favela Harnesses Community Power in Decades-long Struggle for Latino Rights in Fallbrook
By Melanie Slone When a Latino Fallbrook resident fought for a park in his…
The Kid Who Didn’t Like Public Speaking: Cipriano Vargas Details His Journey from Son of a Fieldworker to Vista Unified School Board Member
By Melanie Slone In his first semester as Cal State San Marcos (CSUSM), Cipriano…
Lisette Islas: Lift as You Climb: Leading the Way in Community and Economic Development at Lifeline Community Services
By Melanie Slone Lisette Islas remembers her first day in kindergarten in San Diego…
Blanca Meléndrez: Closing the Gap in Health Inequalities
From food and health insecure to Executive Director at UC San Diego Center for…
Luis Canseco: From Bullied Teen to Social Justice Warrior
Dialog and Prevention Are Key to Halting Domestic Violence By Melanie Slone “I would…
Francisco Ramirez & Universidad Popular: Take Part and Have a Voice in Your Community
Universidad Popular Education and Outreach Programs By Melanie Slone “Things are not going to…
Bea Palmer Takes Her Seat at the Table through Education, Community Service
Follow her journey from housing insecure to housing advocate, educator, and racial justice warrior…
Love of Theater, Passion for History, Defense of Dignity: Luis Valdez Tells the Chicano Story
By Melanie Slone Six-year-old Luis Valdez was excited to participate in his school play.…