Summit Agenda
Thursday, August 13
5:00 p.m. EST
Opening Plenary: Civil Rights and Equity Tu Lucha Es Mi Lucha: Standing Together As Allies
History will record 2020 as the year when the killing of George Floyd under the knee of a white police officer ignited a movement to confront structural racism in America. A panel of civil rights leaders challenging the status quo will discuss the recent flashpoints that have brought the needs of communities of color to the forefront of our collective consciousness. During this dialogue speakers will touch on police brutality, the Black Lives Matter movement, COVID-19, the SCOTUS decision on LGBTQ+ and DACA, plus more and how these social challenges are impacting a broad coalition of activism and organizing at the national and local level.
6:00 p.m. EST
Health and Wellness Our Health: La Primera Riqueza es la Salud
The COVID-19 pandemic is compounding historical social inequities and disproportionately impacting Latinos and communities of color. A contributing factor is that Latinos are essential workers on the front lines, including health professions, vital retail services, and food production jobs and are at far greater risk of exposure. This panel examines the ways the coronavirus has impacted the well-being of Latinos. Explores steps to promote greater health access for the Latino community while gaining valuable advice from experts on how to protect ourselves and our families against COVID-19.
7:00 p.m. EST
Immigration LULAC’s Historic Role in the Struggle to Achieve Inclusive Immigration Legislation
Charles Kamaski, renowned immigration advocate and author leads a discussion with current and former LULAC leaders on the impact LULAC has had on immigration policy since the 1970s. Speakers will also discuss what is needed now to advance immigration legislation that finally delivers permanent protections for millions of undocumented in the United States.
8:00 p.m. EST
Financial Literacy Regaining our Financial Footing after COVID-19
Latinos earn significantly less income on average than white Americans and they also fall victim to predatory lending practices. This panel will discuss how COVID-19 is impacting Latinos’ employment and financial stability along longer-term challenges such as retirement, wealth, the importance of money mentors, and how to alleviate Latino student loan debt.
Friday, August 14
10:00 a.m. EST
Democracy in Action The Historic Role of Latinos in 2020: A Conversation with Julián Castro
Julián Castro, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and candidate for president of the United States will discuss his insights about this moment in our democracy, the changing landscape around Latino power and the work underway to organize and mobilize more Latino voters in the 2020 Presidential Elections.
11:00 a.m. EST
Veterans Affairs #IamVanessaGuillén: Honoring and Protecting Those Who Serve Our Country
The disappearance and murder of Pfc. Vanessa Guillén has brought the spotlight to the dire situation women in the military face. Join this panel to hear first hand from women who have been in the front lines defending our country and the challenges they face as they try to serve their country with honor.
12:00 p.m. EST
Technology / Broadband Latinos and Digital Literacy in the Age of Technology and COVID-19
Black and Brown communities still face real and lasting barriers that hinder their access to broadband technology. They often lack the digital literacy skills required to protect themselves from a broad range of harms as a result of new technological advances. These include discrimination in employment, data breaches, and loss of control over sensitive personal information. Knowledge is power and nowhere is this more true than in the context of technology.
1:00 p.m. EST
Environment Dream Big and Green: Young People Driving Climate Change Action AHORA!
Climate change, rising temperatures, changing sea levels, and more catastrophic natural disasters are topics of daily concerns, particularly in the Latino community who are disproportionately affected by it. This panel will discuss the Green New Deal, and other legislation and what needs to happen to lay the groundwork this year to make sure we act on climate change
2:00 p.m. EST
Gender Equity Feminista y Resistencia: The Latina Experience and How To Build Support and Community
Latinas still face discrimination in both their professional and personal lives despite the contributions they make to virtually every area of life in the U.S. Two major hurdles in the fight for equity in America are laws restricting the rights of immigrant/undocumented women and the wage gap affecting Latina women at a disproportionate rate. Pervasive sexism in our society has also created a glass ceiling that still persists and makes it difficult for many women to realize their potential.
3:00 p.m. EST
LGBTQ+ Mi Gente, Siempre: Addressing Transphobia and Homophobia in the Latinx Community
Some of the often unspoken topics in the Latinx community, especially within families, are about gender and sexual identity issues which often lead to lasting hurt and pain while tearing apart important relationships. This panel shares real stories by Latinx LGBTQ+ individuals, how members of this demographic have worked to overcome discrimination, and how to become allies for social justice. Our panel of Queer-Latinx activists will discuss their own experiences with discrimination and what they believe can be done to help some of the Latinx communities’ most vulnerable members.
4:00 p.m. EST
Puerto Rico Unidos Con Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is experiencing a thirteen-year recession, largely driven by Washington’s federal policies and territorial debt created by laws that historically treat the island as a colony. Adding to man-made factors have been natural disasters including a cataclysmic Hurricane Maria in September 2017 followed by still more hurricanes and earthquakes. These have further weakened Puerto Rico’s economy and health infrastructure, and now its residents are facing the coronavirus pandemic. However, Puerto Ricans have met these tragedies with courage and are leading local efforts to support each other and build community resilience. This panel will focus on how the island of Puerto Rico has been impacted by the novel coronavirus and the inspiring lessons learned from the people of Puerto Rico in their quest to survive and rebuild.
5:00 p.m. EST
Education Back to School in 2020?: COVID-19 and the Impact on our Students
The American education system presents a variety of barriers to people of color. Latinos are the largest and most rapidly growing ethnic group in the country. Yet, academically, our Latinx students are lagging far behind their non-Hispanic peers. This panel will discuss the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on the public education system serving communities of color, how Latinos are managing distance learning (including high school and college), and practical steps we can take to ensure our students excel in the time of COVID-19.
6:00 p.m. EST
Closing Plenary: What Would You Do?:
In a Time of Great Division In America with John Quiñones