UnidosUS 2025 Conference Highlights

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KANSAS CITY, MO — UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, hosted its 2025 Annual Conference, “Beacons of Change” in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 5-7, which gathered approximately 1,500 attendees. The event is one of the largest national gatherings in the Latino community to drive solutions that empower our community amid unprecedented and uncertain times. 

This year’s UnidosUS Annual Conference held special significance as we celebrated UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía’s 20th anniversary leading the organization. The Conference took place in her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri — where her journey began. The gathering served as a powerful testament to her visionary leadership and enduring legacy: grounded in community, equity and opportunity for Latinos across the country.

Building Strength in Community, Defending Our Rights and Elevating Our Voices

In a speech in front of over one thousand attendees, Murguía addressed the difficult and challenging times facing the Latino community, including what she termed as the Trump administration’s “government overreach and abuse of power” in its chaotic and cruel mass deportation campaign, undermining the basic principles of democracy and rule of law.

Janet Murguía noted that while many communities are under attack, it feels personal for the Latino community “because it is personal. We are under siege.” She noted how the administration’s tactics go well beyond their claim of just targeting violent criminals. Murguía stated that “they’re racial profiling all Latinos, citizen and noncitizen alike […] with no criminal records, trying to go to work, checking in at health care facilities, taking their children to school, going to church and showing up for court appointments.” She added that “less than 10% of those detained have been convicted of violent offenses.”

Murguía called on community leaders and organizations to seek justice through the courts and hold our elected officials accountable. Additionally, she called on individuals to take actions to express their concerns through traditional and social media as well as in town halls with elected officials. She called on all eligible voters to register and vote in every election they can, encouraging others to do their part as well. “We’ve faced hard times before and we’ve never given up. We’re not giving up now,” concluded Murguía.

Janet Murguía’s full remarks will be available here.

Janet Murguía


Other honorable guests and speakers also shared remarks during the organization’s convening, calling the community to use its power and elevate their voices, highlighting the importance of their contributions, work and influence at a local level. 

“We were proud to welcome thousands of beacons of change to Kansas City this week. No matter the national and global issues, UnidosUS, its members and its community are stronger than ever — committed to standing up for the rights of Latinos and all Americans,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “Kansas City is better today because of the impact and inspiration UnidosUS attendees have left in our community and their support, encouragement, and work in building an inclusive and welcoming city and country for all.”

“At a time when our communities are under attack and our democracy is on the line, the work of UnidosUS and its network of advocates is more vital than ever,” said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO). “Black and Brown communities have always led the fight for justice in this country — and when we move together, we move the nation forward. I was honored to join UnidosUS at the Beacons of Change Conference to uplift our shared struggle, our shared power and the urgent work ahead to build a more just and equitable future for all.” 

“Growing up with a single mom who served in the Army and worked at the post office, I saw firsthand the challenges working families face. That’s why I’m focused on lowering everyday costs, expanding opportunity and protecting the freedoms that help all our communities thrive. I’m proud to stand with UnidosUS in the fight for a future where every family has a real shot at success,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). 

“We are the legacy of brave ancestors: ancestors who may have been afraid, but who acted in spite of their fear to build a more just, loving and equitable world. So I am not afraid to fight for our communities, our civil rights and our democracy,” said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03). “We draw on their strength and remember our responsibility to build and support the next generation to lead, to champion, to fight back, to thrive. May we stay unidos. May we stay strong. May we stay brave.”


Addressing Extreme Immigration Enforcement, Building Resilience and Uplifting America’s Economic Superpower 

At this year’s Conference, three dynamic plenary sessions underscored the resilience, leadership and economic power of the Latino community in the face of growing challenges. The first plenary spotlighted Los Angeles as ground zero for extreme and unlawful immigration enforcement, showcasing the powerful response of community leaders organizing to protect families, build alliances and defend human dignity through strategic, nonviolent resistance. The second plenary highlighted how funders and nonprofit leaders are adapting to support organizational sustainability and crisis resilience.  

 Finally, the third plenary focused on the powerful economic engine Latinos represent, offering actionable solutions to dismantle barriers and drive sustainable economic mobility for Latino families across the country. During the session, UnidosUS provided a brief preview of its “Economic Agenda for Prosperity,” a living roadmap for economic opportunity that is designed to evolve with our community’s data, insights, experiences and actions.


UnidosUS Presented Tennessee’s Conexión Américas with Affiliate of the Year Award 

During the Annual Conference, UnidosUS awarded Conexión Américas the 2025 Affiliate of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed to a UnidosUS Affiliate organization for its exceptional work serving its community. The organization was awarded for providing strong, long-term assistance to 14,000 clients a year through initiatives like workforce development, multi-generational education and timely crisis response to unwarranted federal overreach. 

Conexión Américas the 2025 UnidosUS Affiliate of the Year Award


“Conexión Américas exemplifies what it means to be a trusted, community-rooted organization. For decades, they’ve built deep relationships with Latino families and partners across Tennessee, always showing up with integrity, collaboration and responsiveness,” said Irene Cuyún, vice president of Affiliate Partnerships & Development at UnidosUS. “In a rapidly shifting environment, they continue to be a steady and reliable force — listening to their community, taking action and adapting to meet urgent needs. We’re proud to honor their extraordinary leadership and impact with this year’s Affiliate of the Year Award.” 

In addition to the Affiliate of the Year Award, UnidosUS recognized the extraordinary work of our Affiliates with regional awards. The 2025 Regional Affiliates of the Year include: 

  • Far West:  Encuentro, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 
  • California: TODEC, based in Perris, Southern California. 


UnidosUS Honors Latino Leaders and Trailblazers 

During its Annual Conference, UnidosUS proudly honored five Latino leaders and trailblazers for their exemplary work in advancing the Latino community. UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía presented the awards during the gala on the final night of the three-day event.  

This year’s awardees include:  

  • The Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership: United Farm Workers’ president Teresa Romero for a lifetime of advocacy on behalf of farmworkers and for leading groundbreaking victories in labor justice and immigrant rights. 
  • The Rubén Salazar Award for Communications: CNN senior crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz for reporting the uncovered truth in Uvalde, Texas, amplifying the voice of grieving families and compelling the nation to confront systemic failures. 
  • Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence: NASCAR Cup Series Driver Daniel Suárez for expanding Latino visibility and inspiration in professional racing — proving that representation fuels dreams. 
  • The Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award: New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham for pioneering policies rooted in compassion — including the first statewide universal meals program for schoolchildren. 
  • The Raúl Yzaguirre President’s Award: Doug McMillon, president and CEO, Walmart, for mobilizing the company’s national reach to protect Latino families by enriching food staples with folic acid, preventing thousands of birth defects.  

 

Read more about UnidosUS’s Annual Conference Awards Gala here. 

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