Message from the President and CEO

Our Time is Now!

It’s hard to believe how quickly 2024 is moving!

Over the summer, our board of directors elected Dr. Maria Harper-Marinick as Chair. Dr. Harper-Marinick, a Senior Fellow for the College Excellence Program at The Aspen Institute, has dedicated her career in education to championing students and transforming educational systems to better serve them. With our new strategic direction focused on changing systems and building power, she has the expertise and experience to help guide us in this moment and we’re thrilled to be working with her in advancing our mission.

In July, we welcomed more than 2000 Latino advocates, changemakers and donors like you to our Annual Conference in Las Vegas. It was inspiring and heartening to see many of you there! This year’s Conference theme, “Our Time is Now!” highlighted our collective efforts – including your invaluable support – to close the homeownership gap, increase access to affordable healthcare, and build political power for Latinos, especially in this pivotal election year.

For decades, we’ve worked hard to naturalize, register, educate and mobilize Latino voters. With each election, we’ve helped establish our community as a key and often deciding factor and have successfully redefined the electoral map to the presidency and Congress. Our hopes and dreams are on the ballot this November. We need to summon the courage to protect our democracy, defend the civil rights we’ve fought so hard to obtain and fight for our shared vision of America where everyone is treated with respect and dignity and valued for their contributions. I believe we can achieve this vision, but like everything else we’ve gained, it won’t be handed to us. We must work for it; we must use the power of our voice and, above all, the power of our vote. Our time is now. ¡Vamos a votar!

While we were disappointed that President Biden couldn’t join us at the Conference due to a COVID diagnosis, we deeply appreciated that he prioritized the health and safety of others. And, subsequently, we respected the President’s principled decision to not seek reelection, putting the best interest of the country first.

Regardless of who wins the presidential election, with your continued support, UnidosUS will continue to fiercely and fearlessly advocate for our community.

Adelante,

Janet Murguía
President and CEO