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JM President's Message

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UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía delivers her President’s Message during the National Affiliate Luncheon.

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Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris delivers keynote remarks at the 2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference.

2023 Awardees

Comunidades Unidas receives the UnidosUS Affiliate of the Year Award for their exceptional work creating meaningful change for the Latino community.

The Affiliate of the Year is the highest honor bestowed on an UnidosUS Affiliate for exemplary work in service to their community, as well as its collaboration with UnidosUS and the UnidosUS Affiliate network.

2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award to Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League, for his leadership in redefining the civil rights movement in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between rich and poor Americans.

2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award to Maria Gabriela “Gaby” Pacheco, Director of Advocacy, Development, and Communications at TheDream.us, for her unwavering dedication to immigrant rights advocacy and advancing social justice and equity.

2023 UnidosUS Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership to Juan Salgado, Chancellor, City Colleges of Chicago for his longstanding commitment to empowering underserved community members in Chicago through educational and economic opportunities.

2023 UnidosUS Ruben Salazar Award for Communications to Alfredo Corchado, an acclaimed correspondent journalist for the Dallas Morning News who has immensely impacted the Latino narrative in this country and consistently advocated for the Hispanic perspective.

Pre-Conference: Fri. July 21

(Left to Right): Raul Raymundo, Janet Murguía, Honorable Brandon Johnson, Byron Sigcho-Lopez

Naturalization Ceremony

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

¡Bienvenidos a Chicago!: A Community Celebration Co-Hosted by UnidosUS Chicago Affiliates 

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

Naturalization Ceremony

2023 UnidosUS Annual Conference Chicago, IL

HOME Trolley Tour

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

Naturalization Ceremony

Pre-Conference Workshop - Empowering Chicago Communities through Collective Action

HOME Trolley Tour

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

¡Bienvenidos a Chicago!: A Community Celebration Co-Hosted by UnidosUS Chicago Affiliates 

Naturalization Ceremony

HOME Trolley Tour

Back-to-School Bash with Acero Schools

HOME Trolley Tour

Pre-Conference Workshop - Shaping the City: Latino Employment and Settlement Patterns in Chicago

Naturalization Ceremony

HOME Trolley Tour

Recap

RECAP

  • The day started with a momentous Naturalization Ceremony at Instituto del Progreso Latino, our local Chicago Affiliate. Here, we bore witness to new American citizens taking their oath of allegiance, accompanied by a heartening speech delivered by UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía.
  • We ventured into downtown Chicago for the HOME Trolley Tour through some of the city’s vibrant Latino neighborhoods. Accompanied by our local affiliate, The Resurrection Project, we gained a deeper understanding of Chicago’s rich cultural tapestry.
  • Before the main Conference commenced, we immersed ourselves in Chicago’s history and participated in two captivating pre-Conference workshops: “Shaping the City: Exploring Latino Employment and Settlement Patterns in Chicago” and “Empowering Chicago Communities through Collective Action.”
  • We concluded the day with the ¡Bienvenidos a Chicago!: Community Celebration,  joining our local Affiliates for an evening of music, food, and a sense of community in Pilsen, a Latino neighborhood steeped in Chicago’s history. The Honorable Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago, attended and delivered uplifting remarks.

Livetream

Day 1: Sat. July 22

Rep. Jesús G. García (D-IL)

President and CEO Janet Murguía

Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL)

Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves

Breaking the Starter Home Barrier Panelists (Left to Right): Raul Raymundo, Rep. Analise Ortiz, Lisa Cuestas, Noerena Limón

Hecho en Chicago: Pop-up Market

Untangling Racism's Effects on Health Panelists (Left to Right): Dr. Marcia Dawkins, Dr. Emmy Ganos, Israel Rocha Jr., Ingrid Sub Cuc

Investing in Tomorrow: Our Latino Infant Initiative Policy Agenda Workshop

Richard Montañez and Janet Murguía

Alcanzando el Éxito: Aprendizajes del One Stop Career Center de Puerto Rico Workshop

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady

Hecho en Chicago: Pop-up Market

Unifying Forces: Advancing a Latino Policy Agenda in Washington, DC Workshop

Unifying Forces Panelists (Left to Right): Susana Barragán, Rafael Collazo, Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, Alvaro Zarco

Alcanzando el Éxito Panelists (Left to Right): Luis Quiñones, Yomarie Cardona, Sonia Perez (Moderator), Jorge Rivera, Carmen Cosme

Advancing Health Equity: Tackling Food Insecurity in Latino Communities Workshop

Breaking the Starter Home Barrier: Creative Housing Supply Solutions for Latinos

Investing in Tomorrow: Our Latino Infant Initiative Policy Agenda Workshop

Hecho en Chicago: Pop-up Market

Advancing Health Equity Panelists (Left to Right): Shavana Howard, Corby Kummer, Louis Alamilla

Breaking the Starter Home Barrier: Creative Housing Supply Solutions for Latinos

Flamin' Hot Film Screening

Plenary: Untangling Racism's Effects on Health

Flamin' Hot Film Screening

Unifying Forces Panelist Rep. Luis Gutiérrez

Plenary: Untangling Racism's Effects on Health

National Affiliate Luncheon

National Affiliate Luncheon

Recap

RECAP

  • Young leaders at our Changemakers Breakfast were inspired with some moving remarks from Richard Montañez, the real-life inspiration for the movie “Flamin’ Hot”: “When you understand your calling and your purpose, you have more strength.”
  • We had our first set of engaging workshops, discussing diverse topics ranging from the Latino policy agenda to food insecurity in Latino communities, and more. Share what you learned during the workshop you attended on social media using #UnidosUS23! 
  • At our National Affiliate Luncheon, our attendees were empowered to keep advocating for our rights and demonstrating the strength of our communities by our inspiring speakers, including Representatives Jesús García and Delia Ramirez of Illinois, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and our President and CEO Janet Murguía.
  • During our first plenary session, Untangling Racism’s Effects on Health, we heard Dr. Allison Arwandy, Chicago Public Health Commissioner, speak about Chicago’s efforts to address health disparities. It was an insightful and important discussion where we learned about structural racism, addressed interpersonal racism within our own community, and the importance of building communities of care by supporting grassroots organizations and harnessing the “Power of US!.  By identifying working with others to tear down the structure of disadvantage in our health systems, we can ensure all communities have access to healthier lives.
  • We ended the day with our Welcome Reception and a special screening of the film “Flamin’ Hot” to celebrate the official kick-off of the 2023 Conference! 

Day 2: Sun. July 23

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

Deputy Secretary of US Department of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small

Affiliate Leadership Breakfast

Latinas Luncheon Panelists (Left to Right): Jackeline Stewart-Howard, Michele Siqueiros, Jess Morales Rocketto, Adela Cepeda, Maricela Vázquez (Moderator)

Latinas Luncheon

Shaping the Future Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Santiago Marquez, Lucia Renteria, Ana Hageage, Julieta Machado

PRIDE Networking Reception

Latinas Luncheon

President and CEO Janet Murguía

Navigating the Future of Work Plenary Panelists (Left to Right): Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Brent Parton, Beth Cobert, Juan Salgado, Carolina Jannicelli

Building Connections Panelists (Left to Right): Jackie Puente, Alejandro Roark,, Mara Candelaria Reardon, Laura Vazquez

UnidosUS Conference 2023 Chicago, IL

UnidosUS Conference 2023 Chicago, IL

Civics for All: Empowering Engaged and Informed Voters in School and Beyond Workshop

Affiliate Leadership Breakfast Panelists (Left to Right): Ana Ponce, Brian Ortega, Liz Ramirez

Pandemic Safeguards Ended Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Maria Pinzon, Joan Alker, Marvin Figueroa, Stan Dorn

PRIDE Networking Reception

Cultivating Health Equity Through Homeownership Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Shanti Abedin, Patricia Duarte, Brian Moro

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel

UnidosUS Conference 2023 Chicago, IL

Pandemic Safeguards Ended: How to Protect Families’ Medicaid Workshop

PRIDE Networking Reception

Civics for All Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Dr. Shawn Healy, Julia Bautista, Katie Groh de Aviña, Clarissa Martínez De Castro

Nuestra Cultura Networking Reception

Affiliate Leadership Breakfast

Latinas Luncheon

Latinas Luncheon

Building Connections: Federal Funding Bridging Digital Gaps for Latinos Workshop

Journey to Health Equity: Raza Development Fund’s Reception

Recap

RECAP

  • Affiliates from across the country came together to engage in an empowering discussion at the Affiliate Leadership Breakfast. The event featured insightful remarks from speakers such as FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, CEO of The Chicano Federation Liz Ramírez, Director of Community Affairs & Advocacy for Acero Schools Brian Ortega, and Executive Director of Greater Public Schools Ana Ponce.
  • At the empowering Latinas Luncheon, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small delivered featured remarks setting the stage for a celebration of the trailblazing achievement of Latinas. The event brought together a remarkable panel of speakers: Adela Cepeda, Jess Morales Rocketto, Michele Siqueiros, Jackeline Stewart-Hawkins, and moderator Maricela Vázquez. The panel discussion highlighted the incredible contributions and successes of Latinas, inspiring the audience with their stories of perseverance and empowerment.
  • Day 2 of engaging workshops on workforce development, civic engagement, health equity and more.
  • The thought-provoking plenary session, “Navigating the Future of Work: Pioneering Inclusion for the Latino Workforce,” delved into the essential policy changes and best practices needed to create a better work environment that benefits everyone.

Day 3: Mon. July 24

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra

Secretary of the US Department of Education Miguel Cardona

The Power of Latino Homeownership Plenary Panelists Bertha Coombs and Sandra Thompson

Chicago – a Model for Access to Immigration Justice

Luncheon

UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía and Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris

The Power of Latino Homeownership Plenary Panelists (Left to Right): Bertha Coombs (Moderator), Janneke Ratcliffe, Jason Riveiro, Patricia Duarte

Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía

Reframing the Narrative Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Jose Alfaro, Honorable Roland Gutierrez, Yahtzeni 'Zeni' Gonzalez, Umailla Fatima

Driving Change: Our Collective Power to Shape Democracy Plenary

This year's awardees (Left to Right): Alfredo Corchado, Juan Salgado, Janet Murguía, Marc Morial, Maria Gabriela “Gaby” Pacheco

Conference Awards Gala After-Party

Reframing the Narrative: The Gun Violence Epidemic as a Civil Rights and Public Health Issue

Amplifying our Power Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Ruby Lee, Maria Gabriela "Gaby" Pacheco, Clarissa Martínez De Castro

Registered Apprenticeships: The Hidden Power to Ignite Profitability and Social Impact Workshop

President and CEO Janet Murguía

The Power of Latino Homeownership Plenary

Luncheon

Registered Apprenticeships Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Luis Quiñones (Moderator), Miguel Angel Cambray, Francheska Feliciano, Chris Valka, Joshua Johnson

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris

Luncheon

The Power of Latino Homeownership Plenary

Turning Back the Clock Workshop Panelists (Left to Right): Alejandra Caraballo, Candace Gibson, Thomas A. Saenz, Senator Cristina Castro (D-IL)(Moderator)

Turning Back the Clock: Responding to the Rollback of Civil Rights Workshop

Conference Awards Gala After-Party

Recap

RECAP

  • We are honored to have been joined by several honorable guests at our luncheon today, including keynote speaker Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.
  • Vice President Harris spoke about the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to create jobs and lower Latino unemployment levels, and the importance of countering extremism against marginalized groups, among other topics. The Vice President also highlighted the significant history of UnidosUS and our 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.”
  • The Power of Latino Homeownership plenary was a crucial conversation in which attendees learned about the changes we need to see to ensure that the housing industry can serve the almost 8 million mortgage-ready Latinos.
  • Driving Change: Our Collective Power to Shape Democracy offered attendees critical insight into how we can translate our collective community spirit into concrete institutional changes and discover practical ways to nurture civic participation among Latinos.
  • After the sessions, we had our amazing Conference Awards Gala Dinner, recognizing the advocates and organizations making a difference for the Hispanic community. Congratulations to our awardees!
  • After our Awards Gala dinner, we ended the night with our Awards Gala After Party, and we danced the night away to celebrate the incredible connections, knowledge, and inspiration we’ve gained throughout the Conference.

Watch Replays from 2023

Hecho en Chicago

The Hecho en Chicago: A Pop-Up Market featured 17 local small businesses offering a wide variety of products, such as beauty products, bilingual books, jewelry, clothing, and wellness items—many of these products were so popular that they sold out on both days! If you missed your chance to shop or want to continue supporting these local businesses, click on the links below.