Strength In Numbers: A recap of the 2025 UnidosUS Changemakers Summit 

The 2025 UnidosUS Changemakers Summit served as our opportunity to stand united in the face of turbulent times.  

Amidst the impact of the Trump administration’s cruel policies and extreme overreach on many of our communities, we gathered with our Affiliates in our nation’s capital to strategize and learn from each other on how we continue to build a future where Latinos can achieve the American dream. The 2025 UnidosUS Changemakers Summit was presented by our title sponsor, Coca-Cola. 

From pivotal youth leadership sessions to renowned speakers addressing the rampant immigration raids Latinos face, no stone was left unturned at this convening of around 230 attendees from 75 Affiliate organizations and various partners from across the country. 

Elevating our collective voice 

The Summit provides a platform for our Affiliate leaders and staff to strengthen connections and share insights backed by the work they are doing to protect and defend Latino communities every day. It was also an opportunity for our Affiliates to meet and hear from allies from our sister organizations. Our collaboration will be essential as we protect and advance the priorities of Latinos.  

Training the future 

Encouraging students and youth leaders to engage with the world of policy was a highlight of our Summit. With session leadership provided by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), future changemakers learned not only the fundamentals of policy but also how powerful their voices can be. Young people are social media-savvy, driven and the true experts of their own experiences. With the right guidance, they can become the advocates and leaders that their communities depend on. We couldn’t be prouder of those who took initiative and participated in these pivotal sessions. 

Advancing our priorities 

Our sessions also highlighted the core goals of our community and how we can continue to make strides. At a time when high housing costs are misaligned with the lived economic realities of working-class families, particularly in major cities where many Latinos live, supporting renters is just as crucial as promoting Latino homeownership. Luisa Godinez-Puig, senior associate at the Urban Institute, addressed Latino homeownership and the future of the UnidosUS HOME Initiative at our Advocate Luncheon. 

Demanding Accountability 

On the final day of the 2025 Changemakers Summit, we led a coalition of Latino community leaders to Capitol Hill and held a press conference demanding accountability in government, urging federal policymakers to heed the American people’s mandate for a stronger economy. In addition to emphasizing economic priorities, our president and CEO also called on the Trump administration to abandon its “PR stunts” and remember the policies that the public voted for.  

“There has not been any attempt to address these urgent issues, critical not only to the nation’s 65 million Latinos — one in five of those who live in this country — but to all Americans … Instead, we have gotten chaos, cruelty and an unconstitutional abuse of power.” – UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía 

Protecting our community’s rights 

All people in the country have legal rights, regardless of their citizenship status. Our plenary, Taking Action: Defending and Protecting Our Community, dove deeper into the legal resources available to Latinos and immigrants when encountering immigration raids and potential threats to their community. Our panelists emphasized that the U.S. legal system enables us to fight back, and it’s important for individuals and communities to know their rights. 

Instituto del Progreso Latino President and CEO Karina Ayala-Bermejo added, “Every family should have a crisis plan,” and that community members “need to fill [their] cup and fill the cups of others.” 

Meeting with leadership 

During The Summit, several UnidosUS Affiliates had the honor and privilege of meeting with members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). In those meetings, community advocates had the opportunity to discuss policy priorities with Hispanic leaders at the forefront of federal government. Both sides shared invaluable insights, all in the name of creating a nation where Latinos have equal access to prosperity and opportunity. 

The road ahead 

Given the tumultuous situation that Latinos currently face, we know that the road ahead won’t be easy. But after seeing hundreds of devoted advocates come together to learn from trusted experts and one another, our Affiliates remain steadfast in supporting their communities. 

A heartfelt thank you to all the Affiliates and advocates who attended the 2025 UnidosUS Changemakers Summit. We are so grateful to have had your presence, and we hope to see you in Kansas City, MO from August 5-7 for the 2025 UnidosUS Annual Conference. Make sure to register before our early registration period ends!