Is a student and creator living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His birthplace of Peru has allowed him to explore culture, heritage, and relationships around the Spanish-speaking community. Through projects like the "Me Vacuno Porque" podcast, he believes he can promote a better environment for Latinx people around the state. His involvement in audio production for the podcast has exposed him to experiences and allowed him to learn. To create community diversity, equity, and awareness, he hopes to improve lives one project at a time.

Originally from Guatemala, Roderico Y. Diaz is an indigenous Maya Kaqchikel independent photojournalist and documentary videographer who has worked in photojournalism and documentary film for fifteen years. He has focused on documenting the search for justice after the genocide in Guatemala (1960-1996). Roderico has published in various mediums in Guatemala, the United States, Europe, and several countries in Latin America. His work has been exhibited in galleries and universities in Guatemala and the United States. He has also participated with his documentaries at national and international festivals. He is a co-founder of Iximché Media (www.iximchemedia.com). To learn more about Roderico’s work, www.rodediaz.com

Originally from Raleigh, NC, Emily Rhyne is co-founder of Iximché Media (www.iximchemedia.com) and works in freelance videography and Spanish-English interpretation. She comes from a community organizing background and has lived and worked throughout Latin America and the U.S. with organizations focused on human rights. She is studying for a Master of Media and Communication at UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism.

(he/him/his) is a Durham, NC based podcaster, sound designer, and assistant professor in UNC-Wilmington's Film Studies Department whose work centers on Black & Brown bodies and their existence in white space. A 2011 UNC alumnus, Betts completed his MFA in Experimental and Documentary Arts at Duke University in 2020. Notably, Michael designed for playwright Howard Craft’s The Miraculous and the Mundane, Sonny Kelly’s one-man show, The Talk, and Haunted. He also was the co-host, alongside author Dr. Cisco Ramos of Centering the Margins Betts produced the audio version of Dr. LeRhonda S. Manigualt-Bryant New York Times op-ed, "My Mother Is Busy Getting Ready To Die." Betts also assisted on her award winning film short death.everything.nothing. Photo Credit: Cici Cheng.

Is an Artist and business owner living in Durham, North Carolina. He grew up in Durham and is attending North Carolina Central University, studying the intersections of business and art through history. With his history and love for social justice and education, he firmly believes that the visual arts are integral to promoting cultural awareness about Hispanic/Latinx people in the United States.

Is a designer, illustrator, and cultural organizer based in Durham, North Carolina. With a Boricua and indigenous-Mexican background and a commitment to Abolition, Ricardo seeks to visualize life-affirming stories for Latinx communities and beyond. They believe in the development of radical imagination latent within all migrant communities.

Graphic designer - Digital illustrator and Product designer (UX-UI). Born in Colombia and immigrated to the United States 6 years ago. Now based in Denver, Colorado. He worked for a nonprofit in North Carolina for 3 years where he found a deep love for his roots and the power of Spanish not only as language but also as culture. He believes that our latinx community can thrive if we keep proud of our own roots.

Marina Fela-Castillo is a Venezuelan creative and entrepreneur based in Durham, NC, who is deeply passionate about art, community, and healing. In 2020, while she completed her undergraduate studies at UNC-CH, she founded Pintamar LLC as a safe space to nurture her creative expression and mental health during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 Pandemic. She has a diverse skill set in social media and e-commerce marketing, event coordination, graphic design, and product design. Her work at Pintamar has facilitated her personal artistic growth and her ability to forge connections within her community. Marina is committed to challenging systemic barriers, advocating for inclusivity, and breaking toxic generational cycles.

Educator and Zumba instructor who lives in Durham, North Carolina. Her immigrant background, personal history, and education have inspired her to support causes that help immigrant mothers and fathers become involved in their children's education. Through parental education, immigrant parents can establish a better future for their children, and by being actively engaged, they can motivate and become the voice of their children in the schools where they receive their education. This will help promote and change how people perceive immigrants, as we are more than just laborers; we are entrepreneurs.

Born in Honduras and immigrated to the United States at 3 years old. Durham has been home for her since. She dreamed of wanting to become so many things when she arrived, and her heart always seemed to pull back to doing work with youth. Jeymi is passionate about working alongside and uplifting youth, mental health, and breaking barriers. Todo es posible! Jeymi enjoys yoga, butterflies, reading, watching movies, and spending quality time with loved ones in her downtime.

Community health worker. She lives in North Carolina and is originally from Puebla, Mexico. Being in a new country, she needed to learn about health, education, housing, and politics. In her area, she has come to know organizations that assist the Latino community and minorities. She works at a nonprofit organization, engaging in various activities that benefit the Hispanic community. She has faith and hope that families can have the information and resources they need to lead a dignified life, just as they dreamed of when they left their home country. She knows that together, we can achieve this.

Resident of Durham, NC. She is of Mexican descent and was born in Mexico City. Her well-being and love for her family drove her to vaccinate against COVID-19. She motivates her community to do the same.

Native Puerto Rican community pediatrician. She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics with +10 years of experience. Her interests include advocacy, activism, and collaborations with projects that aim to bridge health disparities and matters of social justice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she partnered with NCDHHS and grassroots and community-based organizations to improve vaccine access. Her efforts have focused on vaccine education at the state and local levels. Dr. Nieves believes improving health literacy by utilizing culturally sensitive vaccine education materials addresses one of the root causes of health inequities.

A community health worker (CHW) living for over 16 years in Durham, North Carolina. She is originally from Mexico. She began working with families who have students in Durham Public Schools. Currently, she assists people in seeking health-related resources, such as COVID-19 vaccines, testing locations, the guidelines to follow if they are carrying the virus, and more. She believes that having information in her community’s Spanish language and having workers at all levels who understand her community’s way of life and culture makes access to education and healthcare easier for Latinos.

Local Durham community organizer and proud graduate of Durham Public Schools who believes #TheRevolutionWillBeWellFed. She is a daughter of the Salvadoran diaspora and indigenous peoples of El Salvador, a long-time Durham resident, a local small business owner of So Good Pupusas social justice food truck, and a founder of Pupusas for Education nonprofit community organization. She works in mental health advocacy, food and environmental justice, economic community development, youth development and organizing, and more just philanthropic and nonprofit systems.”

Passionate software engineer in North Carolina dedicated to leveraging technology for positive change. He wears many hats, but his main ones are as a first-generation immigrant, first-generation college graduate, and activist for equity and inclusion. Much like in software, where constant iteration and improvement drive progress, he believes that our society has the power to evolve and continuously strive for equity, justice, and inclusion.

Wilson, NC native, wears many hats as a devoted mom, student, and photographer. Her passion for mental health advocacy drives her to educate others on its significance. She joined Me Vacuno Porque Podcast to candidly share her COVID-19 journey, hoping to shed light on the pandemic's impact and offer valuable insights.

Mother of 5 children in Orange County, North Carolina. Originally from the beautiful state of Veracruz, Mexico, she migrated to this country at 15. She worked and married at a young age, and they had 5 children together. Despite being divorced for a couple of years (which hasn't been easy), she continues to move forward in her career and personal goals. Beatriz remains committed to self-improvement and supporting others. She has completed all her education and training as an adult in this country. She loves her work, advocating, supporting, connecting, guiding, and serving as a source of information and support for the community. Initially, she started as a volunteer with the bit of knowledge she had, and now, with the knowledge, training, resources, and more that her job provides, she feels doubly blessed to be a part of it. She firmly believes everyone can achieve and has rights and should strive to do so because immigrants possess incredible resilience. She believes that if immigrants like her already reached this country, they can continue pursuing their dreams.