Atenea Americana - by Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting

Today we talk with Leonardo Bonett, a seasoned journalist who spent an extraordinary 40 years working for Voice of America (VOA), and had just retired this last march 2025. Voice of America is a government-funded international broadcaster that, for over eight decades, served as one of the most trusted and influential voices in global journalism. Our conversation traces the arc of VOA's unique role in the world: a broadcaster committed to telling the truth, regardless of political pressure, and a key player in U.S. “soft diplomacy.” With a presence in over 40 languages and listeners spanning the globe, VOA earned its reputation not by pushing propaganda, but by offering fact-based reporting to regions often starved for independent news. We explore how VOA was born out of the Second World War as a response to Nazi propaganda, pledging from the start to tell the truth — good or bad. That commitment to journalistic integrity became its enduring legacy. Over the decades, VOA's mission aligned with American ideals of transparency, press freedom, and democratic values, acting as a bridge between cultures and as a platform for voices too often silenced in their own countries. Our guest brings us his perspectives about VOA, and [...]

Join us for a special conversation with Van Le — a remarkable community volunteer, school board member, small business owner, refugee, and proud leader within the local Vietnamese community. Van Le shares her powerful story of escaping Saigon during the historic events of April 30, 1975, known as the Fall of Saigon. This moving interview is part of our commemoration of the 50th anniversary of “Black April”, a solemn day of remembrance for millions of Vietnamese around the world. Black April marks the painful fall of South Vietnam and honors the resilience, sacrifices, and new beginnings of Vietnamese refugees. The Fall of Saigon marked the official end of the Vietnam War, as North Vietnamese forces captured the capital of South Vietnam. After years of brutal conflict, the South Vietnamese government collapsed, leading to widespread fear and chaos. In the final days, desperate evacuations took place, with thousands fleeing by air and sea. This historic event triggered one of the largest refugee movements in modern history, as hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese people sought safety and a new life abroad, many eventually settling in the United States. Van Le is not only a pillar in our community — she is also the founder of San Jose's Lantern Festival and the organizer for this [...]

I had the pleasure of sitting down again with Urs Leonhardt Steiner, the Swiss-born conductor and founder of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, a truly unique and inspiring musical ensemble based in San Francisco. For over 33 years, this orchestra has been more than a performance group — it's been a community mission. Urs has a gift for making classical music feel alive and relevant. He talks to the audience during presentations in both English and Spanish, making sure audiences from all backgrounds feel welcome and engaged. At every concert, he shares the stories behind the music, offering context that makes even the most complex works approachable and meaningful. One of the most remarkable aspects of the Golden Gate Symphony is its inclusive structure: about half of the musicians are professionals, and the other half are highly talented non-professionals who bring the same level of passion and excellence. This is by design — the orchestra's mission has always been to open the world of music to everyone, not just the elite. And that mission extends to the audience, too. Every concert includes free tickets for Spanish-speaking families and local community members, making world-class music accessible to neighbors who might not otherwise have the opportunity. Mark your calendars for [...]

Welcome, everyone! I'm thrilled to have Supervisor Cindy Chavez with us today. Cindy is someone who has dedicated her life to serving the very community she grew up in – right here in Santa Clara County, the city of San José and the San Francisco Bay Area. Coming from a working-class family, Cindy brings a down-to-earth perspective and a tireless work ethic that resonates with so many of us in this area. Her journey is inspiring. She started at San José State University, where her commitment to community and social justice took root, leading her toward a career tackling real issues that impact people's lives, like health, transportation, and education. From her time at the South Bay Labor Council to her leadership on the Board of Supervisors, she's made a real impact on the landscape of Silicon Valley. As an advocate for wage equality she has pushed policies that support working families. She was instrumental in recognizing the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote in 2020, initiatives that help empower more voices in our community. Supervisor Chavez has also addressed some of the most critical issues in the county, from establishing the Intimate Partner Violence Blue Ribbon Commission to [...]

A few months ago, I had the immense honor of meeting and interviewing Rigoberta Menchú Tum, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and K'iche' Mayan activist, during an event hosted by Cultura y Arte Nativa de las Américas (CANA) in San Francisco. This encounter was originally aired live on my radio show, bringing her words and wisdom to the airwaves. Now, I'm excited to share the podcast version of this experience, in both Spanish and English, thanks to a live translation. It was a bilingual event, and now with the podcast here it is, another layer of accessibility for those who might have missed the live radio broadcast. Rigoberta Menchú Tum's life story is one of profound resilience and unwavering dedication to social justice. Born in 1959 in the Guatemalan highlands, Rigoberta's advocacy work was shaped by her personal experiences during the Guatemalan Civil War, which resulted in the genocide of nearly 150,000 Mayans. Tragically, her family was among the victims, with her brother, mother, and father being tortured and murdered by government forces. she later transformed her pain into action, becoming an international advocate for Indigenous rights, human rights, and peace. Her commitment to these causes earned her the Nobel [...]

I'm thrilled to introduce a very special guest and longtime friend of our show, Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, a brilliant artist whose contributions to the Bay Area's music scene over the past 20 years have been nothing short of transformative. Martha is a true Renaissance woman—an acclaimed singer, flutist, conductor, and producer who has brought Latin American folk, classical, and contemporary music to new audiences. Her dedication to her craft and her culture has earnedseveral recognitions, including being named a “Luminary” by the Mexican Consulate in San Francisco and “Excelencia Latina” by LAM and Mundo Fox. For those who have followed her career, Martha is not just an extraordinary musician but also a powerful advocate for community engagement. She serves as Director of several Neighborhood Choirs for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities, and leads the Coro de Cámara and Mariachi CMC. Her passion for inclusivity through music has transformed how people from diverse backgrounds connect with the arts. Today, we're especially excited to talk about her long-standing work with the San Francisco Symphony, where she curates the annual Día de los Muertos event—a vibrant celebration that brings together art, music, and culture to honor one of the most cherished traditions in [...]

In this episode, I have the honor of speaking with Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez, a tireless advocate for educational equity and the Deputy Director of Californians Together. Xilonin's journey from her roots as a fifth-generation resident of Azusa, CA, and the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, to leadership in statewide education advocacy is inspiring. With over two decades of experience serving on the Azusa Unified School District Board of Education, her passion for supporting all students, particularly English learners, shines through in every aspect of her work. We'll dive into the mission of Californians Together, a powerful statewide coalition dedicated to improving education for the 1.1 million English learners in California. Through promoting equitable educational policies, this organization strives to create better opportunities and outcomes for a community that has often been overlooked. As we explore the challenges and victories in advocating for these students, Xilonin will share how they work on literacy policy with a student-centered approach, ensuring that teaching methods are responsive to the unique needs of English learners. Xilonin's rich personal history and professional expertise give her a deep understanding of the barriers faced by immigrant and refugee students. She dedicated her career to providing educators with the tools [...]

In my latest interview on Stanford Radio, I had the pleasure of speaking with Pamela Martinez, an incredibly talented Venezuelan filmmaker whose work delves deep into human rights and social justice. A graduate of the MFA Documentary Media Program at Stanford, Pamela has traveled the world, honing her craft and exploring stories that need to be told. Her film As I Witness—a gripping, 8-minute piece about the suffering of Palestinians during the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas—is one such story. Pamela's journey to becoming a filmmaker is as impressive as her filmography. From studying visual arts at UWC Red Cross Nordic in Norway, to participating in experiential education in Brazil, and later studying Film, New Media, and Social Research at NYU Abu Dhabi, her path has been shaped by a global perspective. She has always been driven by a passion for exploring complex issues—such as gender, migration, and transitional justice—through art. Her undergraduate documentary Estado Fallido (Failed State) explores the socio-political polarization within the Pemón Kamarakoto indigenous community in Canaima, Venezuela, providing an intimate look into the harsh realities of life under Venezuela's ongoing crisis. In As I Witness, Pamela tackles the suffering of war victims with a sharp [...]

Today, we conversation with Rodrigo Duran, the Executive Director of Carnaval San Francisco. Rodrigo Ehecatl Durán, a proud San Franciscan and the son of Mexican immigrants, and he had work for years to BIPOC cultures in the city. Armed with a Bachelor's in Communications from UC San Diego and a Master's in Public Administration from San Francisco State University, with a focus on Nonprofit Management, Rodrigo leads the charge in making Carnaval San Francisco the biggest and most vibrant multicultural bash in California. He is also a Commissioner for the city for the Human Rights Commission , one of 11 appointed by the Mayor to represent the diverse human rights interests of the City of San Francisco. Carnaval San Francisco isn't just big community party; it's about honoring the rich tapestry of Latinx, Caribbean, and African Diaspora cultures that make San Francisco sparkle. Through dance, music, art, and community education, they create spaces where diversity isn't just celebrated—it's cherished. It started as a local representation of the international Carnaval, on fat Tuesday, but with the weather impediments of February in San Francisco, evolved in to a beginning of summer tradition, with its own personality.  Now in its fourth decade, Carnaval [...]

Today we have a conversation with Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE). ​ Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, the Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools, has served in education for over 33 years. Her work in education reform and change leadership is grounded in her commitment to serve the community and underserved, vulnerable youth and a mission that is centered around diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. Dr. Dewan is a strong advocate for the expansion of early learning services, health, and education, and believes in providing each and every child opportunities that promote high quality, equitable, and inclusive experiences. ​ The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. They directly serve students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 21 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.​ The Office of the Superintendent provides support to the County Office, school districts and other educational agencies. [...]

Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a chat with Maestro Urs Leonhardt Steiner, a musical maestro whose journey spans continents and cultures. Originally from the quaint town of Chur, Switzerland, Steiner's musical roots run deep, having studied at esteemed institutions like the University of Tübingen and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Under the guidance of luminaries such as James Wimer and Gustav Meier, and rubbing shoulders with legends like Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein in masterclasses, Steiner's musical education is as rich as it is diverse. But it doesn't stop there. Steiner's own compositions, notably the operas “Il Secondo Settenio” and “Return of the Phantoms,” have garnered praise both at home and across the pond. Leading the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra in captivating performances, Steiner's baton has danced across stages from Europe to Central America. Under the guidance of luminaries such as James Wimer and Gustav Meier, and rubbing shoulders with legends like Andre Previn and Leonard Bernstein in masterclasses, Steiner's musical education is as rich as it is diverse. But it doesn't stop there. Steiner's own compositions, notably the operas “Il Secondo Settenio” and “Return of the Phantoms,” have garnered praise both at home and [...]

Today, we are privileged to host a panel discussion on Public Education, broadcasting live from Stanford University. Our focus centers on the pivotal role of public education as the cornerstone of equality and the linchpin of democracy's future. For that, we are honored to welcome some guest: Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, the Superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE); Albert Gonzalez, President of the California School Boards Association; and Jessica Speiser, President of the Santa Clara California Latino School Boards Association (SCCSBA). Throughout our discussion, we aim to explore the significance of targeted groups in public education. Dr. Mary Ann Dewan, The Santa Clara County Superintendent of Schools has served in education for over 33 years. Her distinguished work in education reform and change leadership is grounded in her commitment to serving the community and underserved, vulnerable youth and a mission centered around diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. A strong advocate for expanding early learning services, health, and education, Dr. Dewan believes in providing every child with opportunities that promote high-quality, equitable, and inclusive experiences. Dr. Dewan has served in a variety of leadership roles, which have led to several local and state recognitions, including the [...]

Today we are talking with Anais Amaya, from the Latino Community Foundation to talk about the Latino Giving Circles. As the Director of LGCN, Anais plays a crucial role in advancing the strategic expansion of Latino Giving Circles in Southern California for LCF. Having recently relocated her family to Los Angeles, she also embarked on the entrepreneurial journey of launching her business, Raices, dedicated to supporting indigenous artisans in Mexico. Before her tenure at LCF, Anais earned the prestigious Heroes and Hearts Award from the San Francisco General Hospital Foundation. This accolade recognized her outstanding contributions as the program manager of the ZSFG Health Advocates. In this role, she led a multi-lingual program that actively screened patients to identify and address their social determinants of health by connecting them with the appropriate community resources. The Latino Giving Circle Network encompasses a diverse array of individuals from various walks of life, spanning generations such as Baby Boomers to Millennials, and encompassing professionals ranging from CEOs to emerging talents. Inclusivity extends beyond nationality, encompassing both immigrants and US-born individuals, as well as Latinos and non-Latinos alike. Within this network, each participant has the opportunity to harness our collective influence, contributing to the [...]

The San Francisco Symphonic Orchestra will celebrate this Saturday, November 4th, the “Dia de los Muertos” concert in 2023. This special event will commemorate the Meso-American holiday, which honors the memory of loved ones who have passed away.  The orchestra will perform a range of pieces that reflect the theme of this important holiday, with a focus on MAYAN traditions this year, introducing new art and music and unique experiences with old traditions. There will be a mixture of music from traditional Mexican folk songs to classical compositions that explore the theme of life and death.  The Davis Hall lobby has been showcasing art installations and interactive experiences related to this event the whole month, and they will be there until Tuesday, November 7th.  Our conversation today is with the long-time curator of this annual event, Martha Rodríguez Salazar. She is a singer, a flute performer, a music educator, and a community organizer. She is a Mexican born artis, long-time San Franciscan who has been in charge of curating this event since 2008, bringing every year a unique experience and exploring different aspects of “Dia de los Muertos” traditions and history.  Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducts the San Francisco Symphony in the concert program, [...]

Today we are talking with author Carmen Boullosa, in and on-air live interview on radio from New York, New York all the way to Stanford, California. Born in Mexico City, and currently residenced in New york, Boullosa is a multifaceted writer, known for her prowess as a poet, novelist, and playwright. Her literary work revolve around the intricate themes of feminism, the interaction between religion, superstition and skepticism, and the reevaluation of gender roles within the rich tapestry of Latin American culture and hispanic traditions. With an impressive oeuvre of nineteen published novels, Boullosa's work also dwells in different periods, locations and characters, but with her unique and unmistakable stylistic imprint. In “The Book of Eve”, Carmen Boullosa reinterprets of the Book of Genesis, but from Eve's point of view, effectively deconstructing the patriarchal norms that have long underpinned our understanding of the world. From the origins of gastronomy to the domestication of animals, and even the cultivation of land and pleasure, Boullosa weaves a narrative that shifts the focus to the feminine perspective, while explaining the stories of the creation. “The Book of Eve” traverses the narratives that have shaped perceptions of womanhood for centuries with in most cases [...]

Dr. Melissa Moreno is a CA Community College faculty. Her passion has been teaching, researching, and developing curricula in the areas of Ethnic Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Native American Studies, Education, and Leadership for over 15 years. As a first-generation college student, Ethnic Studies saved her life. Schooling became interesting, and she became a professor and leader with the support of many inspiring professors and leaders. For over a decade, she has led Ethnic Studies and taught Chicana/o Studies, History of Race and Ethnicity, Mexican-American History, and Native American Studies. She is a former community educator and faculty in Chicana/o Studies, Education, and Liberal Studies. She holds degrees in Ethnic studies, Sociology, Women's Studies, and Education. She is a co-founder of the California Community College Ethnic Studies Faculty Council. Her publications and research interests include issues surrounding racial identity formations, subjugated knowledge, cultural citizenship, foodways, food justice education, Chicana/o indigeneity, intergenerational trauma and healing, and practices of community-based leadership. She is a member of the Indigenous Caucus for the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS), among other associations. Painted by artist Jerry Jordan, this mural celebrating ethnic diversity is displayed in the Multicultural Student Center Satellite Office in Gordon Commons residence hall. [...]

Today, we are having an engaging conversation with Pamela Campos, a remarkable Chicana and second-generation immigrant with strong ties to San Jose and Santa Clara County. Pamela dedicated herself to education and has had a career defined by her commitment to advocating for it, housing, and improved quality of life for all. Pamela witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by educators and families grappled with the harsh reality of making a life while earning a $16 per hour salary for educating and caring for small children in the competitive Silicon Valley landscape. However, Pamela's passion for nurturing a brighter future for children and her proficiency in policy and community development set her on a powerful path toward positive change. During our discussion, Pamela will also talk about her work with The Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) whose mission revolves around mobilizing capital and fostering partnerships to dismantle barriers and ensure equitable access to opportunities for all. This organization invests in, collaborates with, and advocates for high-quality, affordable housing, early care and education, educational opportunities, gainful employment, and access to healthcare. These initiatives are specifically designed to benefit Black, Latino, and other marginalized communities, whose [...]

During today's show, we will be talking about Cinequest, a movie festival that embodies the spirit of Silicon Valley.  For that, we will be talking with Mr. Halfdan Hussey, one of its co-founders and CEO.  Halfdan (hallf' dun) Hussey is the Co-Founder and Director of Cinequest Inc. and CEO of Cinequest Mavericks Studio LLC (CMS). He is also a renowned writer and film producer. Cinequest has been around for decades and has evolved with the times. Under its umbrella, it brings awards, recognitions, educational opportunities, and creative inspiration to a wide range of participants.  Nestled in the vibrant heart of Silicon Valley, CINEQUEST seamlessly melds the forces of innovation and the arts to catalyze extraordinary creations and captivate a diverse spectrum of audiences, bringing youth, artists, and visionaries alike, all while engendering profound community bonds through storytelling. This dynamic process fosters elation and nurtures a profound sense of belonging. Cinequest actively cultivates global networks among creators, innovators, emerging talents, and discerning audiences, boldly asserting its leadership on the world stage. By championing and embracing the trailblazing innovations that have fundamentally revolutionized the panorama of creative expression and cinematic media, they consistently reinforce their commanding presence within the international sphere of influence. Cinequest [...]

This week we are talking with Jaqui Guzman, Sunnyvale city deputy manager. She is a native of the bay area with a bachelor's degree in diplomacy and work affairs, a master's degree in Public Works, and minors in Spanish and Economic Science, bringing with her two decades of work for the local and diverse communities in different positions.   As a deputy manager, she oversees city-wide programs and initiatives on behalf of the City Manager, including direct oversight of the Communications Division and Equity, Access, and Inclusion initiative while she provides strategic support to the City Manager, city department heads, and City Council.  Her heart and interests align with social justice causes and working for a happier and more livable city. At the time when she started her work for the city of Sunnyvale, the community faced a hate crime. A war veteran decided to drive over a group of pedestrians, thinking they might be Muslims. The need to take action brought the community together with the wish to fight hate and intolerance. Guzman started putting together city-wide plans to unite people and give them tools to improve community relations, learn tolerance and fight hate. The Sunnyvale Unity Initiative represents the [...]

This week we are talking about The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. For that, we will be talking with Maestro Urs Leonhardt Steiner, who will be telling us about his next project, seven years in the making, a concert compiling music composed by prisoners during the Holocaust and the stories behind them. The Symphony Orchestra's main mission is to use classical music to build community. They provide access to high-quality concert programming and music education for a diverse public and students of all ages. The orchestra and choir draw diverse audiences under the baton of Maestro Urs Leonhardt Steiner; in the Bay Area, amateur and professional singers, musicians, and composers perform side-by-side in works ranging from the classics to contemporary compositions. This results in a dynamic artistic, educational experience that supports deep participation in the performing arts and builds a close-knit musical community. For this presentation, The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, in collaboration with Holocaust Music Lost & Found and Citizen Film, announce our season highlight:  Songs of Truth: Holocaust Awareness Concert & Conversation Project. The Songs of Truth project provides a unique window into learning about the Holocaust through music while inspiring audiences to reflect on, [...]

Interview with Migguel Anggelo Today we are talking with Migguel Anggelo, a multidisciplinary entertainer presenting in top scenarios since age 13. He has toured worldwide, but after decades of living and performing in the USA, this is his first time touring the country. Born in Venezuela, he trained classically in music and theater in different ensembles and as a solo-artist in many countries. This year he is presenting at Stanford University with his autobiographical piece, LatinXoXo, with references from his life, on a fictional in-deep conversation with his late father. He presents this fictional conversation with many musical numbers, different genders, laughs, and satire on a cabaret production. As referred on their own words, “Venezuelan cabaret artist explores his Latinx and queer identities through costume, musical composition, and movement.” 20.02.2018 Moscow. Tchaikovsky Concert Hall. Migguel Anggelo, Grace McLean, and The State Academic Chamber Orchestra of Russia, conductor Alexei Utkin with the program “The Songbooks of the Americas.” Among the stories that we talk about today are the ones about his experience in an international production of “FAME”, his experience representing the USA with the US Secretary of State in Russia, His studies in Germany as an opera Singer, and much [...]

Today our guest is Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, a long-time politician in the bay area who is running for the mayor position in San Jose. She's a longtime resident of the city of San José. Chavez's father was a carpenter and her mother worked as a teacher's aide, spending much of her free time volunteering in the community. Her background makes her unique as the local political representative of an area with a diverse local population. There have been 24 years since a woman was mayor of San Jose. Chavez attended San José State University, where her passion for politics and commitment to community led her down a path to public service. After graduating, she worked as a budget and policy aide on health, human services, and transportation issues at the Board of Supervisors. Four years later, Chavez joined the South Bay Labor Council as Staff Director. During her tenure there, she helped create and lead Working Partnerships USA; a collaboration of business and civic groups, focusing on issues affecting working families. ​Chavez won her first election to San Jose's City Council in 1998 and focused on the building blocks of urban centers: establishing standards for traffic calming, [...]

Today we are talking with Jorge Pacheco Jr. He is a national award-winning teacher, appointed by the California State Board of Education to help the California Department of Education create Ethnic Studies curricula for the state in 2019.  Jorge, who is proudly indigenous, has been an elementary and middle school Native Studies and Spanish teacher in the Bay Area since graduating from UC Berkeley in 2013. In his role as an advocate for equity and public education, he is now working to close the digital divide for Santa Clara County as a Digital Equity Specialist for Community Health Partnership.  Jorge currently serves as President for both the Oak Grove School District of Education as well as the California Latino School Board Association or CLSBA, where he leads an organization that represents and fights for Latino students and school board members across the state. The CLSBA  is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that Latino/a/x students have the best educational opportunities and resources available to succeed. We are committed to meeting the educational needs of all Latino/a/x students by working with educational organizations and empowering current and future Latino/a/x School board members. Together, we will positively change and improve the educational [...]

Today we have a conversation from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art with Dr. James Oles, guest curator for the exhibition about Diego Rivera's art from the 1920s to 1940 at the SFMOMA. Dr. James Oles is a specialist in Latin American art, focusing on modern Mexican art and architecture, through the museum as well as academic projects. His books include South of the Border: Mexico in the American Imagination, 1914-1947 (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993); Art and Architecture in Mexico (Thames & Hudson, 2013), the first survey of its kind in some 50 years; and a monograph on the color photographs of Manuel Alvarez Bravo. Oles is guest curator for Diego Rivera's America, an in-depth exploration of the artist's work of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, which opened at the San Francisco Museum of Art (SFMOMA) in July 2022, and travels to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in March 2023. He edited the fully illustrated scholarly catalog that accompanies this exhibition. Oles received his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1996, and now divides his time between the U.S. and Mexico. He is a senior lecturer in the Art Department at Wellesley College, and in 2002 was appointed adjunct curator of Latin American art at the Davis [...]

Today we are airing a conversation with Carlos Jose Rodriguez Santiago, an Engineer at Stanford Healthcare Innovation Laboratories. Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in California. His parents were also working in biotechnology. Today he is a chemical engineer and works developing proteins for research on cures for various diseases. The healthcare innovation lab works to accelerate precision health technology research and development as well as clinical adoption. During our show, we talked about different research Rodrigues had been involved with, the current state of healthcare research, and some news on new development for various diseases and conditions. We also chatted about his path to becoming involved with healthcare research and his own experiences in life and plans for the future. University of California, Riverside – Multidisciplinary Research Building As usual, I want to thank you for listening to our show “Atenea Americana”, as part of my effort at Stanford Hispanic Broadcasting. You can help to make programs like this possible by leaving your comments, contributing with your ideas or materials, and also helping us raise funds. Remember to check our “Contribute” page to learn more. You can also download this show on your mobile device by going to our site on ITUNES or in PodOmatic or any other [...]

Today we are talking with the honorable Adam Escotto, trustee of the board of education of Morgan Hill, California. He is a native of the San Francisco bay area. Escoto was a kid who at the age of 10 enter the foster care system. Later, he grew up to be a counselor for children in public schools, also part of the Federal Court Order Desegregation Team in the '80s, and after years of experience in public education and serving children he was an assistant principal, principal, and held different positions as district administrator until he retired as an assistant superintendent. Now as a retiree he is still serving children in public education and foster care. Now as a school board member, and as a court-assigned advocate for children in foster care. Today he will talk to us about his insights into the system that protect and educate children, and about his experiences from all sides of it. We will listen today to some of his stories in many of his roles as a counselor, educator, public servant and children advocate. Stay with us to lear more about his path, but also about the institutions and the ideas behind them. Listen [...]

Today we are posting our latest conversation with the CEO of the Latino Community Foundation (LCF) Jaqueline Martinez Garcel. Jacqueline has led LCF through a critical stage of growth and expansion. The foundation leads one of the largest networks of Latino philanthropists in the country and it is the only statewide foundation solely focused on investing in Latino leaders. Jacqueline has published extensively on issues related to health equity, vulnerable populations, and community health workers. During her tenure, she developed, evaluated, and expanded programs to improve the health and quality of care for vulnerable populations. Jaquelin has been part of the foundation since 2015 and she is talking us today about the last period and experiences of LCF, the state of the foundation during the pandemic, the events during the last year and the activities of their giving circles. LCF was a pioneer with implementing giving circles, inspiring Latinos towards philanthropy, while helping causes of their choice. The “Giving Circles” create a safe space where people can show up as their full selves. This provides an opportunity for authentic conversations and presence from the members which creates a special, unique sazon (flavor) in each Giving Circle.  LCF gathering in Berkeley California, October [...]

Today we will learn about the life journey of folkloric dancer Jesus Cortez. He is the founder and Artistic Director of Cuicacalli, and the lead teacher and choreographer for Cuicacalli's Ballet Folklórico. He wears many hats in his company, as a dancer, choreographer, director, and instructor. He has been dancing for audiences since his childhood in Mexico and had impressed audiences with his abilities in USA and Mexico ever since. Maestro Cortez lives in San Francisco and works as an artist in residence with the SFUSD and Brava Theater. He joined Printz Dance Project Company in 2009 as a guest artist for their tenth anniversary, and later also taught dance classes at ALICE (Arts and Literacy in Children's Education) program where he also performed in their production called “Burning Libraries,” a multi-media performance about immigration stories. Mr. Cortes is also a dance consultant and choreographer for Ballet Folklorico de Stanford University. He choreographed and performed John O'Keefe's ‘Mystical Abyss' directed by the Theatre of Yugen's Founder, Yuriko Doi, at the ODC Theater.Maestro Cortés has been presenting Cuicacalli's annual production “Tradición, Movimiento y Pasión” at the Brava Theater and in community events in San Francisco and the Bay Area since 2007. CUICACALLI means [...]

Interview with SFBATCO and Marcelo Javier Today we talk with Marcelo Javier from SFBATCO. SFBATCO or San Francisco Bay Area Theater Company. SFBATCO is a Black, Latine, & Asian-led non-profit organization, produces compelling theater that builds community, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, promotes social justice, and authentically reflects the experiences of communities of color and LGBTQ people. Our theatrical productions address social justice issues from an intersectional perspective and present affirmative non-stereotypical representations of individuals and communities who are feared or ostracized for their gender, race, religion, sexual preference, socioeconomic or immigration status. ITSA Dancers will be presenting “I, Too, Sing America.” for the festival. Marcelo Javier is a co-founder of the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Company (BATCO). He was born and raised in San Francisco and has been performing, directing, and causing all sorts of theatrical chaos in the Bay Area for most of his life. Today we talk about his trajectory, the mision and vision of his theater company, and insights about his theater company in the bay area. During the last year of pandemic quarintine the company stay in contact with its public online, but they are ready to life performances with and sharing with the people of [...]

This week we had a conversation with Marisol Bohorquez Godoy. She is the founder of “Vuela Palabra.com, a literary magazine that specializes in poetry in Spanish, English, and Italian.  Marisol Bohorquez Godoy was born in Santa Maria, Huila, Colombia. She is a Poet, a write, a painter, and an industrial Engineer.  She is a published author, with collections of her work in 7 languages. Her books have been also published in Italian. Her books are “La soledad de los Espejos (2016)”,-”Efecto mariposa (2017)”, Antiparticulos-Antiparticelle (2019) and in co-authorship with Gianni Darconza, “The form of the void.(2019).” Marisol was the winner of the “Fiori di luce” contest (2020) in the category of foreign poetry and Finalist awarded with equal merits (1st, 2nd, and 3rd places) of the “Europa In Versi” International Literature Prize (2020), with her work “The form of the void.” VuelaPalabra.com is an online literary magazine specialized in poetry and has works from all over the world in 3 languages. to celebrate their first anniversary they have launched an international call for poetry writers. The main objective for this event is for the magazine to donate, for the first time, their work as translators in favor of three poets [...]

This week we have a fun conversation with Maestro Hector Armienta and Soprano Violeta Cecilia Lopez about a new Opera that tell the stories of local farmers during the pandemia. “Mi Camino” was created by composer Héctor Armienta this year. gives voice to farmworkers in the greater Bay Area. Through song and multimedia, “Mi Camino” portrays real stories shared by these important yet often forgotten members of our community, focusing on the impact of COVID-19. It is performed by nationally acclaimed soprano Cecilia Violetta López, joined by outstanding Bay Area singers Deborah Rosengaus, mezzo-soprano, and Emmanuel Mercado, tenor. Mi Camino Trailer – Farmworkers in the Pandemic Héctor Armienta is an acclaimed composer who focuses on creating work that explores the Mexican and Mexican-American cultural experience. As an opera and theater composer, he draws on stories and music that represent his bicultural roots. He interviewed migrant farmworkers, and local farmers in the greater Monterey and San Francisco Bay Area and learned from their experiences during the COVID 19 pandemic. He learned from their experiences and told his stories with Opera. Soprano Cecilia Violeta Lopez is an opera singer of Mexican descent, originally from Idaho. She has been a long-time friend of [...]

Nancy Marmolejo Today we will be talking with Nancy Marmolejo. She is an Executive Coach who teaches entrepreneurs and leaders how to access their Deep Genius, that one-of-a-kind combination of innate strengths, life experiences and expertise that only you bring to the table.  She’s received several awards for her role as a Latina entrepreneur and has appeared on Univision, Latina Magazine, Hispanic Business, Smart Money and starting today Atenea Americana.  Originally had no plans to write a book on grief, yet after experiencing the deaths of three loved ones in a four-year period, Nancy saw how so many people struggled with offering condolences, especially on social media. A former teacher, she decided to create a guide to help people compose heartfelt messages that convey empathy. Her book, Don’t Say That, Say This: Navigating Grief and Loss in the World of Social Media, has been used in college courses, nursing programs, churches, reading groups as well as by everyday people looking for the right words to say. It’s currently available on Amazon as a Kindle or paperback.  Why grief on social media? Do you ever wonder what’s the best way to respond to someone who posts about an illness, death, or [...]

Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates, PhD Today we are featuring a talk with Dr. Ricardo Baeza-Yates, PhD. He is CTO of NTENT, a semantic search technology company based in Northern California. He is also part-time director of data science in Northeastern University at Silicon Valley. Before, he was VP of Research at Yahoo Labs, until 2016. He obtained a Ph.D. in CS from University of Waterloo, Canada, in 1989. He is also the co-author of the best-seller Modern Information Retrieval textbook, that won the ASIST 2012 Book of the Year award. He has been member of the ACM Council and the Board of the IEEE Computer Society. He is an ACM & IEEE Fellow. For our chat today, our friend and collaborator Daniel Caselles also joins us. Our conversations center about the topic of Bias on Artificial Intelligence, how it works and what has been done to overcome it. During our conversation we touch several related topics, and the logic of why and how Bias in produced and methods to counteract it. Here, you can learn more about how it happens, and have a nice time while doing it.   Remember to leave a comment on here or on any of our [...]

Dr. Angelica Perez-Litwing Today, we are sharing a conversation with Dr. Angelica Perez-Litwin.  She is a a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience in private practice and research work. She has a B.S. in Psychology, from Columbia University, a M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University, a M.B.A., Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Clemson University,  and is an Alumna from Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education Program. Dr, Perez-Litwin had been before in our show, as the founder of “Latinas Think Big,” a global community designed to help and support careers and venture projects of this community. It is a big group of talented women who meet for events, network throughout a social network and online platforms. She has been feature in magazines before as one of the most influential latinas, and has been instrumental the future of many latin women around the world with her network. Dr. Perez-Litwin is currently staring a new style of mental health platform, with clinical practitioners and specialist in mental health to help the well being of a bigger audience online and in person. This modern therapy practice can reach many online, with its site http://LuminCenter.com. Today we are talking about mental health during pandemic, the challenges the population [...]

Doctor Michele Barry Today we are publishing a conversation we had few weeks ago wit Doctor Michele Barry, Board Chair of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) and past President of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. She is also a professor at the medical school in Stanford University, a Senior associate Dean, Global Health Director, Part of the Center Innovation in Global Health and a senior fellow at the Woods Institute and at the Freeman Spongli Institute. Doctor Barry has received several honors during her career, like the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal for outstanding contributions to women in the field of medicine, and is founder of WomenLift Health which is a global initiative to transform global health outcomes by unleashing and elevating talented mid-career women to become global health leaders. She talked to us about the current global health crisis and about the best recommendation that science and health professionals can offer to the population during these times. Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements, and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media.  We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you can give us feedback, [...]

Luis Fernandez, director of CINCIA For this show, we had at the station CINCIA’s director Luis E. Fernandez. He is the Executive Director of the Amazon Scientific Innovation Center and Assistant Professor of Research (CINCIA), Department of Biology, Wake Forest University. Fernandez is a tropical ecologist and an expert in the dynamics and impact of environmental mercury in the areas of artisanal mining. During the last 12 years, he has carried out several research studies on the effects of mercury pollution in Peru and Brazil and consulted with governments of Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Colombia. Previously, he has held positions at the Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford University, the Argonne National Laboratory of the United States Department of Energy, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) in Washington DC and Dallas, Texas. The presence of mercury in the Amazon region has been studied since the 1980s– mainly in Brazil– due to the exploitation of gold. In Madre de Dios, gold mining has been growing rapidly since 2000; however, there are very few studies that systematically assess the presence of mercurcy and its risk to the region and its inhabitants. Therefore, the impact assessment of mercury pollution in the region has several limitations. In this episode, we will be [...]

This month, representatives from different tribes, ethnicities, and countries of the Amazonian rainforest and other rainforests of South America will meet at Stanford University. They will be brought by efforts from different organizations inside and outside Stanford. Dr. Jose Fragoso, from the California Academy of Sciences They will be talking about way to save the rainforest and their land rights. They will talk about the state of their homes and their tribes, and exchange knowledge with researchers, academics, and other institutions. To talk about this our guest is Dr. Jose Fragoso. He is a researcher at the California Academy of sciences, and also a professor at Stanford university. Dr. Fragoso has been with us in the show before and will be back soon. He spends many months a year researching new species in the Brazilian Amazon and studying ways to preserve its environment. He also has great experience sharing ideas and learning about different Native Tribes of the south American Rainforest. Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media.  We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you can give us feedback, [...]

Natassia Rodriguez, Research Analyst The growth in the number of Latino-owned firms in the United States is outpacing growth in number among other firms in the nation. In fact, the five-year average growth rate in the number of Latino firms has remained at double or triple that of the national average for the past fifteen years. All this growth presents a great opportunity to expand the U.S. economy, and data shows the importance of Latino new businesses in the whole economy. Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative has been doing research about the state of Latino entrepreneurship and small businesses for the last two years. Their latest research surveyed a national sample of over 4,900 Latino-owned businesses. To talk about SLEI’s research and about its presentation this year at the Oberndorf Event Center at Stanford, we invited Tiq Chapa, Program Manager, and Natassia Rodriguez Ott,  Research Analyst from Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative (SLEI). Tiq Chapa, Program Manager Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative is part of the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at the Graduate School of Bussines at Stanford University. Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media.  We hope [...]

Founder and Executive Director Maria Celier Today show is a conversation with María Célérier, founder and Executive Director of the foundation “Kids Vission”. They main mission is to engage girls into STEM education. They started with the vision that that girls in Silicon Valley need to know how STEAM is applied in real life, and suggested offering girls in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades an after school program that would show them how some of the most innovative companies in the Valley apply STEAM. This program could is primarily funded by several high-tech companies and hosts inside their headquarters, where employees from different companies volunteer as mentors and role models for leadership skills and STEAM-related careers. Celier earned a Master of Business Administration at HEC-Paris and a Bachelor of International Relations at the Universidad de las Americas-Puebla. Her job experience in the Bay Area has been focused on helping children, youth and adults to improve their lives through education–at Renaissance helping adults to start their own businesses, at JobTrain helping youth to graduate from high school and to find jobs, and at Kids’ Vision empowering girls to learn STEM. The girl in the left of the image represents a girl who has been in the program. [...]

Today we are talking with Ramon and Becky Sandoval from “Vino with Amigos” events and “Vino Latino”. They have a company that helps promote a variety of wines from Napa and Sonoma Valley, making emphasis in the contributions that Latinos made on the production of this wines, while spreading their knowledge of wine introductions and oenophila. Wine has been an important part in history of humans. Long time ago people used to ferment plants to drink mostly because their water were not safe to drink, but with that first intent a whole culture of wines and foods was created, intertwineing tradicions and history. Many poets had written about wine and the world around it. Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges on his Sonnet to Wine said: In what kingdom, in what century, under what silent conjunction of the stars, on what secret day that stone has not preserved, emerged the valiant and singular idea of inventing mirth and play ? With autumns of gold it was created. Wine flows red along with the generations and on the ardous road like the river of time pours on us its music, its fire and its lions. On the night of joy or on [...]

Today we are talking with  Rosalinda Zepeda, A.K.A. “Rosy The Closer”, a Mexican American that excels in the field of negotiations. Since an early age, Zepeda has been able to master the art of closing deals. She has also developed different workshops to help professionals to be more successful in their negotiations thru her company “The Latina Success Network“. LSN helps small business owners to grow their companies but also helps new professionals to enter the workforce with a leverage towards leadership. All LSN workshops are focused on helping young latinos and minority to expand their opportunities. Some of LSN of the workshops offered are “The LSN Start-Up Academy” and the “LSN Communication Academy”. Both designed with the same mission of  creating a premier community for business, professional and self-development for Latina professionals, entrepreneurs and those in between. Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media.  We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you can give us feedback, subscribe to this site and our social media outlets to keep receiving information about our show. As usual, I want to thank  you for listening [...]

Today we are talking from Stanford, all the way with Ecuador, and with a Snack company that has expanded their mission to help other companies to grow and innovate. We are talking about KIWA, and KIWA Investment Summit. The KIWA Investment Summit intends to harness the spirit of innovation, sustainability, culture and community. Their plan is to connect Latin American enterprises generating the right environment for their success. We are talking with Martin Acosta, founder and CEO of KIWA who is going to tell us more about this mission and their future plans. Acosta has created the summit inspired by other international summits he attended and benefited from in the past, and he has successfully helped many other companies to grow and succeed. With one of his creative future plans, he has organized a post-summit adventure for investors and entrepreneurs to explore natural features with vigorous activities in the wild. During these experiences, they will bond and explore their responses to stressful situations during activities within nature. One of KIWA SUMMIT events Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media. We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you [...]

Today our guest is Startup Chile, and for that, we are talking directly from Stanford with its executive director Rocio Fonseca in Santiago de Chile. Startup Chile is a seed incubator that the Government of Chile founded to inspire and engage innovation in Latin America and Chile itself. It receives over two hundred companies and projects each year, from 77 different countries, and every continent. In the last few years, Startup Chile had benefit thousands, giving an opportunity for more than 1,000 companies, attracting 16,000 applicants and creating what is now know as Chilecon Valley. Through their three programs, they may provide their applicants with money, guidance, network or exposure to investors. Their primary goal is to diversify the economy that had been growing mostly the agricultural industry, the mining industry, and astronomic research but moving it into other fields. One premise is that even when the companies have international reach, they must also bring benefits to the Chilean society. Another goal is to inspire the Chilean society entrepreneurship and innovation in non-traditional fields. Listen to our show to learn more about their plans, their programs, their achievements and their history. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media. We hope [...]

Today our guest is the Latino Community Foundation CEO Jacqueline Martinez Garcel. LCF have been growing exponentially in the last years helping the community and inspiring many to be part of their effort. Their programs have helped thousands, and they are planning on helping many more. One of their programs is the “Latino Giving Circle,” where regular members of the society get together to join forces with others for the common good, spreading wealth and education in worthy causes. A few years ago I interviewed the Latino Community Foundation when they were just launching their first Latino Giving Circle. Right now they have successfully established 14 and have started many others. Their plan is to raise the number to a thousand giving circles all around the state. Networking event for Latino Giving Circle Members The Latino Giving Circle are small groups with 10 to 50 members that network and get together to raise money, to bring their funds and to choose the best cause that fit their interest. They pay an annual fee and meet once every quarter to manage the common fund. The LCF help then to point out the issue they are more invested in as a group. Some examples [...]

Sofia Colon, Library Activist Today our show is Called “Save our Library!”, and it is a conversation with Sofia Colon, native of Stockton, California and library activist. As the city of stockton filed for bankruptcy few years ago, it stopped many of their services. Libraries and public parks got cut our of the budget, as they tried to work towards financial solvency. Now, few years later, a group of concerned and afected citizens are trying to get their library back, and restore some of the services they lost. Measure “M” is trying to establish and secure funds for libraries inside Stockton. Stockton has ove 300,000 people, and it is very wide with no good public transportation. For kids, elderly and lower income families to get to another library too far from their home has proven to complicated. The centralization of all the libraries in the city to few in Down Town leaves a lot of the population unserved. This is a real problem for many, as the library has always lend services in multiple ways to the population. We hope you enjoyed our show. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media. We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you can [...]

Today I am talking with Frank Carbajal, founder and president of Es Tiempo, LLC., founder of the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit and co-author of “Building the Latino Future: Success Stories for the Next Generation.” His company called “es tiempo” provides leadership development by bringing leaders together through business mentorship and annually through the Silicon Valley Latino Leadership Summit (SVLLS). The Summit happens every year at the Stanford University Campus, and the main goal is to connect and inspire the community towards entrepreneurship and leadership. Carbajal also developed what he calles the FUTURE framework leadership model as part of his consulting and educational business. The Future framework helps companies and organizations build their Employee Resource Groups,  allowing people to gain best practices perspectives while integrating leadership into the workplace. Women Speakers and Leader during SVLLS Carbajal and his wife work on the summit every year choosing the best leaders and role models to talk at the summit, and had been doing so since 2010. On 2016 it added a “shark tank” style presentation by startups, that got advise and access to investors and collaborators. We hope you enjoyed our show. Remember to leave a comment and to follow us on social media. We hope to inspire and inform. We wish you can give us feedback, subscribe to [...]

Rigoberta Menchu Tum Today on PWCTW we will talk about Rigoberta Menchu, awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1992. Menchu is a women activist from the indigenous Quiché Maya group on Guatemala. She was born on January 9, 1959. She was born to a poor native peasant family and raised in the Quiche branch of the Mayan culture. From and early age, she helped with the family farm work, while they were in the northern highlands and on the Pacific coast, where adults and children went to pick coffee on the big plantations. Young Menchu became involved in social reform activities through her Catholic Church, where later she became prominent in the women’s rights movement while she was still only a teenager. The activism of Menchú and her family soon led to persecution by Guatemala’s military government. Her father was a leader of a peasant organization opposed to the government and was later accused of guerrilla activities by the military. During Guatemala’s ensuing civil war, he died in a fire while protesting human rights abuses. By 1979, Menchu officially joined the Committee of the Peasant Union (CUC). That same year her brother was captured by the military, tortured and [...]

Prof. Rodolfo Dirzo, from Stanford University Today we are talking with the recognized scientist, biologist Dr. Rodolfo Dirzo. He runs Dirzo Lab at Stanford University, where had also been Professor, researcher, and later the Director of the Center for Latin American Studies for several years until spring 2016. I had hosted shows with him before on Atenea Americana, and few years ago also at Ventana Americana. Then we talked about his significant research and famous scientific publications. Today we talked about his latest award, the Roland Volunteer Service Prize. He won it because of his above and beyond efforts on spreading scientific literacy on kids and youth. He also has pioneered hands-on educational and multicultural programs with students from K-12 and with all levels of education for college students in national and international programs. One of the programs he works with is the “REAL” program at Redwood City High School. This program focuses on teaching students academic and leadership skills through hands-on service projects related to the environment. Stanford University gives opportunities to these kids to get involved with real research and learn while observing ecologists at work firsthand and understanding the use of logic and observation in their work. Professor Dirzo with some of his [...]

Dr. Mara Perez Today we are talking with Dr. Mara Perez.  She follows the progress of Latino movements in relation to philanthropy, entrepreneurship, leadership and technology, in the Bay Area and across the country.    Dr. Perez recently launched a project called LATINO FUTURESsm.  This project focuses on expanding national awareness about the important role that the growing Latino population has, and will have for the future of American prosperity through their leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.   Dr. Perez is here to talk with us about her work, and the future she envisions for Latinos and the U.S. in decades to come.   This interview is an introduction to a column about Latinos in the U.S., which Dr. Perez will lead. In addition to her new project -LATINO FUTURES-, Dr. Perez has been a consultant, providing fund development and strategic planning services to non-profit organizations for 20 years.  In this capacity, she specializes in education, leadership and economic development, philanthropy, and social justice; a large number of her clients are Latino-led/Latino serving entities. She earned her Ph.D. in sociology from The University of Chicago.  Dr. Perez is an author, a public speaker, a consultant, and an entrepreneur.  Her writings appear in [...]

US SBA Director Maria Contreras-Sweet talking at GES2016 – Demands Solutions During 2016 summer at Stanford, President Barak Obama hosted his annual entrepreneurship summit. That week international entrepreneurs joined to connect, exchange ideas en promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The Summit idea is to connect global entrepreneurs giving them access to new connections and sharing the information they may need to create and innovate. In other words help them to unleash their power to change the world. This Summit was the 7th installment in a series previously hosted by the United States and the governments of Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Morocco, and Kenya. Among the related events was the “Demand Solutions 2016”, hosted by the inter-American Development Bank. They invited entrepreneurs from Latin America and the Caribbean to the event. There, they listened to other innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers and ecosystem builders that are working in Latin America and the Caribbean. They had the opportunity to share their stories, challenges, and accomplishments. Today I am airing the speech that director of the “US Small Business Administration Agency”, Maria Contreras-Sweet gave to an international audience filled with entrepreneurs from different countries’. Contreras-Sweet was sworn in as the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) [...]