This is a Bonus Episode from a talk I gave at a UNIDOS conference. I shared a story that starts with a misname - “Big Bunny” - and opens into something much deeper: what it means to be seen, unseen, and still essential in America. This talk explores how Latino communities have long powered this country while being misunderstood, reduced, or erased—and why that has to change.

Through personal story, cultural critique, and a call to action, this episode is about shifting from being treated like passengers to claiming our role as architects of the future. It’s about naming ourselves correctly, refusing silence, and understanding that our value was never up for debate. Because once we name something clearly, we can finally build with intention.

CHIRLA — the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights — is an organization that has been at the forefront of immigrant justice, advocacy, and community empowerment for decades. This isn’t just about policy, it’s about people. About families, futures, and the fundamental right to belong. We talk about organizing, resilience, and what it means to fight for dignity in a system that too often denies it. This episode is a reminder that behind every headline is a human story, and that real change happens when communities come together to demand something better.

Today we're sitting with Maritza Contreras — community organizer, storyteller, and force of nature. Her work centers joy, justice, and belonging, reminding us that healing is a collective act. This one’s about home, building your very own board of directors and so much more!