01/30/2026
Growing up, it was always the same story: we get to have a better future than our parents.
Make the family proud.
Be a good person.
Go to school.
Don’t struggle like we did.
My grandpa was in the Bracero program, worked 5 days, 6 nights in the U.S. and then went back to his family on the weekends. He was one of the fortunate ones and eventually was given citizenship for himself, his wife and 8 children. That wasn’t everyone’s story unfortunately.
But thankfully, it was ours.
My dad worked his way up in agriculture and when he retired, he was managing 900 employees. They needed to hire 5 people to do his job.
I am so damn proud of our roots.
That is part of who I am today.
That is part of my story.
Part of my story as a second-generation immigrant.
As an Oral Storyteller, one of the most profound things I’ve learned is that when you know someone’s story, you can’t turn back.
In fact, you lean in. You connect. You care.
And that is what I ask today.
Lean in. Connect. Care.
And act with love.
ACT WITH LOVE. 🙏🏽
Praying for everyone who is advocating and caring for our community - those who we do not know of but who never give up hope in humanity.
