Young Latinos Speak Out on Top Priorities at UnidosUS Roundtable Event

PHOENIX—Against the backdrop of a growing wave of student-led activism, UnidosUS (formerly NCLR) welcomed Latino students representing ASU Prep Academy and local Affiliate leaders to a roundtable aimed at spotlighting the issues that are most pressing to young Latinos. UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía served as the moderator during the roundtable, which sought to provide a space for young Latinos to discuss the concerns and issues that most impact them, as well as the challenges and struggles many face in the current climate.

“Today’s forum provided an important and timely opportunity to talk directly to our youth about what’s important to them and figure out how we can help elevate their voices and address their concerns. We want to help empower them with the right tools and resources in order to drive meaningful change in their communities. Their perspective and their input matter, and can be translated into action,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía.

The event also previewed UnidosUS’s civic engagement efforts for the 2018 midterm elections. Youth will be a critical factor in November in races across the country helping to elect leaders from the local to the national level and will be a primary target of UnidosUS’s voter registration and outreach campaign. From door-to-door canvassing to online outreach, the effort will seek to grow the Latino electorate, educate them on critical issues and help them turn out on Election Day.

“Today’s young people can have such an impact on shaping how our country deals with their priority issues and so we are going to engage them early in the election cycle. We want all eligible young voters to make themselves heard by registering to vote, encouraging their peers to do so and turn out to vote on Election Day,” concluded Murguía.