Growing Latino
Power and
Influence
Leading the Charge for Latino Representation
Amplifying Latino Impact
In a year of significant milestones, UnidosUS played a pivotal role in growing the power and influence of the Latino community. Here's how we boosted our impact and reshaped the narrative about our community:
Influence Impact at a Glance:
We were referenced or quoted in 6,457 unique articles, securing press coverage in national media outlets including The New York Times, NPR Morning Edition, NPR Marketplace, Bloomberg, The Washington Post, NBC News, Axios and more.
We published 98 position papers, research reports, congressional testimonies and fact sheets covering topics from immigration and education to employment and health.
Press topics covered included: food insecurity in Latino communities, the lack of inclusion of Latino contributions in U.S. history curricula, Medicaid unwinding, protecting immigrant workers, student debt relief, the SAVE Plan, the weakening of affirmative action policies and more.
The 2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference: The Power of US was held in Chicago and featured Vice President Kamala Harris as the keynote speaker. Vice President Harris remarked, "I don’t need to tell you, the power of [UnidosUS] is the power of the coalition. Recognizing that diversity in our nation is not a weakness or an afterthought, but instead our greatest strength." She also highlighted UnidosUS's significant history and longstanding commitment to fighting for civil rights: "In the face of dark moments, the history of this organization has helped to shine a light on our path." This event was sponsored by Title Sponsor, Bank of America, and Presenting Sponsor, UPS.
The Conference, our premier annual gathering, featured an array of distinguished speakers including Congressman Jesús G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Congresswoman Delia Ramirez (IL-04), Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education Miguel Cardona, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small and Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves.
These speakers engaged in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, from safeguarding our democracy and expanding access to healthcare and housing to emphasizing the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The event also provided an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the Hispanic community.
This year also witnessed historic high-level appointments that we actively supported and advocated for, including Dr. Adriana Kugler as the first Hispanic Governor of the Federal Reserve Board, Xochitl Torres Small as the first Latina Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Anna Gomez as the first Federal Communications Commission (FCC) member in more than two decades. These achievements showcase the progress our community has made in attaining representation at some of the highest levels of the U.S. government.
We are also proud to recognize five ambassadors of Hispanic descent: U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón; U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica, Cynthia Ann Telles; U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar; U.S. Ambassador to Croatia, Nathalie Rayes; and U.S. Ambassador to Panama, Mari Carmen Aponte. This achievement is a testament to our longstanding efforts to increase Latino representation in diplomatic positions. Representation matters! Having leaders from diverse backgrounds and with varied experiences, who understand our community’s contributions and aspirations, is an essential step towards improving government to better serve and protect all in our country.
Your continued support has played a crucial role in these milestones, and we are grateful for your commitment to our collective cause.
This Year’s Highlights also Included:
- The release of “Gumbo Coalition,” a documentary that chronicles the efforts of UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía and National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial as they work to empower Black and Latino communities through four tumultuous years in America.
- Affiliate leaders and UnidosUS staff attended the first UnidosUS briefing held by the White House Office of Public Engagement. During the briefing, representatives of the current administration addressed a range of topics including the economy, health, education, and Latino representation in government.
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