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Chavez Media’s Radio Campesina Combats Election Misinformation in the Latino Community

October 31, 2024, by CCF

Source: Caitlin O’Hara/for NPR

In 1983, Cesar Chavez founded Radio Campesina to inform, entertain, and inspire Latino communities and working families, laying the foundation for what is now known as Chavez Media.

Major outlets like the Associated Press and NPR have recognized Chavez Media for its work combating election misinformation and mobilizing voters through Radio Campesina, a station serving the Latino community, and this election season, Radio Campesina aimed to address voting misinformation and promote civic engagement.

We spoke with Maria Barquinn about how Chavez Media embodies Cesar Chavez’s legacy by advocating for social justice and empowering Latino communities through authentic, community-centered content and the importance of being informed and engaged during the 2024 election.

1. How does Cesar Chavez’s legacy impact and guide the work of Chavez Media and its programs?

By serving as the foundation of its mission and values. His dedication to social justice, the empowerment of farmworkers, and the advocacy for Latino communities is at the heart of Chavez Media’s approach. This media organization aims to uplift and support underserved communities by providing a platform for Latino voices, promoting education, and fostering community engagement through culturally relevant content.

Chavez Media channels Cesar’s dignity, equality, and collective action principles into its programming and services, ensuring that its media, radio, and digital platforms advocate for fairness, worker’s rights, and social progress. By focusing on issues that resonate with the Latino community—like immigration, labor rights, and access to resources—Chavez Media keeps the spirit of Cesar Chavez alive, working to inspire change and empower future generations through media and communication.

2. How does Chavez Media build trust with the Latino community in an era of widespread misinformation?

We build trust with the Latino community by adhering to authenticity, transparency, and community-centered content creation principles.

We focus on creating content and fulfilling needs that resonate with the lived experiences of the Latino community. By focusing on the areas that have the most significant impact on the day-to-day lives of today’s Latinos, we ensure that how we do so is relatable and trustworthy. This relevance creates a strong connection with the audience, fostering trust. We also foster close ties with the communities we serve by actively engaging in local events and responding to and highlighting stories that matter most to the people. This grassroots approach helps the community feel seen, heard, and respected.

We deliver our messages through well-known, trusted voices from the Latino community—radio hosts, influencers, and leaders who have built credibility over time. These figures, who are often long-time advocates for the community, help strengthen the bond between the audience and our platforms.

In an era of misinformation, Chavez Media prioritizes fact-based reporting and clear messaging. We hold ourselves to a standard that, as members of the general public, we would hold any other media outlet to. We strive to provide accurate, vetted information and encourage media literacy within our audiences, equipping them with the know-how on how to distinguish between trustworthy and misleading sources. Also, by collaborating with non-profits, advocacy groups, and trusted local organizations that have a long-standing relationship with the community, Chavez Media reinforces its commitment to the public good, further enhancing our credibility.

Through these efforts, Chavez Media stands out as a reliable source of information, entertainment, and advocacy for the Latino community, positioning itself as a pillar of trust amidst the noise of misinformation.

3. What advice do you give your audience when it comes to the 2024 election?

As we approach the 2024 election, it’s more important than ever for our community to be informed and proactive. Our advice is to take the time to thoroughly understand the candidates and their policies, focusing on how they directly affect you and your loved ones. Use trustworthy sources to verify any information, especially given the prevalence of misinformation.

It’s also crucial to ensure that you know the important deadlines to vote and that your registration is up to date. Each state has different rules, so knowing your voting options—whether voting in person, by mail, or early—is key to making sure your voice is heard. Once you’re prepared, encourage your family and friends to do the same, engaging them in discussions about the importance of voting and what’s at stake in this election.

Beyond casting your vote, remember that this election shapes the long-term future of our communities. Issues like immigration, healthcare, and women’s freedoms are on the line, so it’s vital to vote for candidates who will fight for what matters most to us. And after election day, stay engaged. Our involvement doesn’t stop at the polls; it continues by holding leaders accountable and advocating for the change we want to see. Your vote is your voice, and together, we can make a real difference in 2024.

Dive into the captivating world of Radio Campesina, featured in the acclaimed PBS documentary series VOCES. Click the link below to join the journey! To learn more about Chavez Media and its mission to create products and services that uplift the stories and voices of the communities it serves, visit chavezmedia.com

Empowering Voices: Q&A with Andres Chavez on the Inaugural Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference

October 28, 2024, by CCF

The National Chavez Center, in partnership with California State University Bakersfield and the Dolores Huerta Foundation, hosted the inaugural Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference at CSUB and La Paz on October 3 and 4. The two-day conference, themed “Latinos in Politics: Our Vote, Our Voice, Our Impact” for 2024, featured renowned speakers such as Dolores Huerta and CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia. The event included panel discussions and scholarly explorations covering such issues as Latinas in public life and the impact of Proposition 187.

We spoke with Andres Chavez, Executive Director of the National Chavez Center and steering committee member of the Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference. He shared insights on Cesar Chavez’s legacy, Villa La Paz, and the Center’s role in inspiring future leaders, as well as the conference speakers and program.

1. How does the partnership between California State University Bakersfield and the National Chavez Center contribute to sustaining and expanding the legacy of Cesar Chavez in Kern County and beyond?

If you boil down the work of both CSUB and the National Chavez Center to their core, you’ll see we have parallel missions. At the end of the day, we are both working to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders. To partner with CSUB on the inaugural Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference was extremely fitting.

Conference attendees visit Cesar Chavez’s burial site at the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument with Cesar’s son and Chavez Foundation Chairman of the Board Paul Chavez.

Fitting not only because CSUB’s main campus is miles from where so many important historic events took place, but also because the students who attend the university share similar backgrounds to Cesar. Much of Cesar’s legacy is defined by his ability to get ordinary people to do extraordinary things and to believe in themselves. And though, he may no longer be around to do this directly, we can take comfort in knowing that we continue his work by developing the next generation of change makers and do good-ers through this conference.

The conference was met with warm reception and many of the folks involved saw the opportunity for it to scale into a statewide and national conference.

2. What specific values or lessons from Cesar Chavez’s life are most important for today’s young leaders to understand and carry forward, especially regarding service and community impact?

Cesar taught us many important lessons. But I believe the most important lessons and values for young leaders to know is importance of service, unity and the Si Se Puede attitude.

Conference attendees tour the Cesar E Chavez National Monument’s visitor center with National Chavez Center Executive Director Andres.

My Tata Cesar once said, “it is my deepest belief that only by giving lives do we find life.” At the very heart of this statement is the value of service. What I share with young people, especially college students, is that service can take place in so many different ways. Cesar was of service by being an organizer and activist. But we know that’s not the only way to be of service to your community. You can do it through medicine, law, education, art… the list goes on and on.

Additionally, what gave Cesar and the movement power was their ability to work with folks from all backgrounds. The movement was spurred by Filipinos and Latinos coming together and flourished by engaging people from all backgrounds, races, and corners of this country.

I end with the Si Se Puede attitude because this value was the heart and spirit of the movement and what made Cesar who he is. What most people don’t realize is that Cesar and the movement had more defeats than they had victories. But it was how they responded to those defeats that defined their legacy. They simply never gave up. If we can embody the same attitude and spirit, there is no stopping what we can do.

3. Cesar Chavez envisioned a future where farmworkers and marginalized communities had strong leaders advocating for their rights. How do you see the Chavez Huerta Leadership Conference’s role in realizing that vision?

This year’s conference focused on the importance of civic engagement. The conference thoughtfully weaved together diverse subjects, histories, and voices to show the many ways students can be involved in the civic affairs of their community. It showed that everybody has a role to play and the ability to create change

The Chavez and Huerta Leadership Conference cohort enjoys lunch at the historic Villa La Paz at the National Chavez Center.

I’ll also add that we literally saw students transform overnight. On day one of the conference, we had some challenges getting students to engage with and ask the speakers and panelists questions. When we arrived at the National Chavez Center on day two, the students and participants were full of questions and not afraid to make their voices heard. It was truly remarkable. The best part is that we are just getting started.

4. Looking ahead, what are some key areas where you hope to see growth and increased engagement from Latino leaders in civic spaces, and how can the National Chavez Center support that mission?

This question makes me think back to what my Tata Cesar once said: “If you want to remember me, organize!”

There are many important issues and areas to work on. The only advice I’d give is to get involved. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty. And always remember the words Si Se Puede.

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Cesar Chavez’s Legacy in Texas

September 19, 2024, by CCF

Cesar Chavez in San Antonio, Texas.

Cesar Chavez’s legacy in Texas is marked by his deep commitment to organizing farmworkers and advocating for Mexican American communities throughout the Southwest. His influence, while strongest in California, found a significant foothold in Texas, particularly Austin, where he frequently visited to deliver boycott speeches, engage in campus discussions, and support East Austin community initiatives. On Labor Day, September 5, 1966, Chavez highlighted his dedication to the cause by leading a rally on the statehouse steps. He concluded a 400-plus-mile march from Rio Grande City by farmworkers, including early UFW members from Texas. This historic march, which began on the Fourth of July, aimed at securing a $1.25 minimum wage, drawing as many as 6,000 attendees, according to the American-Statesman.

Cesar Chavez is applauded before a talk sponsored by the San Antonio Friends of the Farm Workers. Among those in attendance, standing to his right, are Judge Albert Peña, Jr., and Bishop Raymundo Peña, July 26, 1979. (San Antonio Express-News Collection)

To honor Chavez’s enduring legacy and continue his work, the Cesar Chavez Foundation is committed to significantly expanding its programs, mainly targeting young Latinos in the major urban centers of Texas, without overlooking the foundational communities in California’s Central Valley. With plans to establish a robust operational presence in Texas by December 31, 2026, the Chavez Foundation is dedicated to uplifting and supporting the communities Cesar Chavez fought for, ensuring his legacy thrives well into the future.

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Free Sample Lessons for K-8 Curriculum

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through week-long sample lessons from the Cesar Chavez Foundation’s signature K-8th grade curriculum. Develop students’ knowledge of Hispanic culture and ability to share and connect to their own stories.

For more information about our full curriculum offerings, including After-School & Summer programming, contact edu.partnerships@chavezfoundation.org

Please fill out the form to access your free lessons.

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Chavez Foundation Marks Groundbreaking for Affordable Housing Communities in Houston, TX

September 11, 2024, by CCF

Houston, TX – The Cesar Chavez Foundation, in partnership with Harris County Housing & Community Development, the Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation, celebrated the start of new construction for much-needed affordable housing.

The contributions of this partnership will allow the Cesar Chavez Foundation, a vertically integrated nonprofit developer, to develop, construct, and operate the properties and maintain its affordability in perpetuity, as it does with all its properties. In keeping with CCF’s tradition, the housing communities are named after local civil rights champions. Construction is expected to be completed by ­­­­­­­­­­­December 2026.

“These projects are a critical addition to Houston, and we are honored to provide affordable housing for families and seniors in need. It’s fitting to name these properties after Frumencio Reyes Jr. and Felix Z. Fraga as a tribute to their relentless efforts and positive impact on the local community,” said Manuel Bernal, President of the Cesar Chavez Foundation. “Our mission is to uplift working families, and these developments represent a major advancement towards fulfilling that mission. Frumencio and Felix embodied Cesar Chavez’s values of social justice and community empowerment, and their dedication to creating lasting change continues to inspire us.”

The Urban Edge reported that “There are just over 33,000 affordable and available places to rent for the more than 217,000 extremely low-income renters in the area. About 83% of extremely low-income households are severely cost-burdened. The Kinder Institute for Urban Research’s 2023 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report found that from 2015 to 2021, monthly rent prices outpaced median household income increases.”

“Harris County Housing & Community Development (HCD) is proud to partner alongside the Cesar Chavez Foundation, Harris County Redevelopment Authority, and the Harris County Housing Finance Corporation to provide vital affordable housing to low-to-moderate-income households. These projects will forever change the lives of many people who will benefit from stable, affordable housing in Harris County. The impact of providing affordable housing in Harris County is felt throughout the entire community and will have lasting effects for many years to come,” says Thao Costis, Executive Director of Harris County Housing & Community Development.

HCD has played a pivotal role in securing and investing in affordable housing for the underserved residents of Harris County. To date, HCD has contributed about $360 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Community Development Block Grants – Disaster Recovery funds toward safe, affordable multi-housing projects in Harris County. It continues to make strides to invest in affordable housing, so no underserved residents are left behind.

Villa Eterna Sonrisa Felix Z. Fraga Details:

The Villa Eterna Sonrisa Felix Z. Fraga is a new construction, senior-focused (55 years old +) apartment building that will contain 99 units: 98 one-bedroom units designated for seniors and one two-bedroom unit for the property manager. The development will be a four-story elevator building located at the intersection of Tidwell Road and Bauman Road in the city of Houston and Harris County Precinct 2. The site is conveniently located near an accessible bus stop between I-45 and I-69. The property will include a Si Se Puede Senior Center.

Frumencio Reyes Jr. Plaza Details:

The Frumencio Reyes Jr. Plaza is a new affordable apartment building that will consist of 120 units. The building will offer a variety of unit types, including efficiency, studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, which will be affordable for individuals with incomes at 30, 50, 60, and 80 percent of the area median income. The development will be a four-story elevator building located at the intersection of Upland Drive and Timberline Road in the Spring Branch neighborhood in the City of Houston and Precinct 4 of Harris County. The site is conveniently located near I-10 and Sam Houston Tollway, providing easy access to the rest of the city. It is also located near a mix of single-family homes, multi-family developments, schools, bus stops, and services. The property will include a Si Se Puede Learning Center.

About Cesar Chavez Foundation

At the Cesar Chavez Foundation, our mission is to carry on Cesar’s life’s work of uplifting the lives of Latinos and working families by inspiring and transforming communities through social enterprises that address essential human, cultural, and community needs. The National Chavez Center, an arm of the Chavez Foundation, promotes and preserves the legacy of Cesar Chavez across the nation and manages historical properties near Delano and at Keene, Calif., home to the César E. Chávez National Monument. Follow the Chavez Foundation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. For more information, visit chavezfoundation.org.

About Harris County Housing & Community Development

Harris County Housing & Community Development strives to strengthen communities by investing in housing, infrastructure, and services that promote resiliency. It seeks to have safe, sustainable communities where everyone thrives and no one is left behind. Learn more at hcd.harriscountytx.gov.

About Harris County Redevelopment Authority

The Harris County Redevelopment Authority (HCRDA) promotes, encourages and facilitates economic development, community investment, infrastructure investment and revitalization programs on behalf of the County. The HCRDA is the corporate operating entity for the County-led Greater Houston TIRZ (TIRZ 24), which encompasses approximately 8,000 acres.

About Harris County Housing Finance Corporation

The Harris County Housing Finance Corporation (HCHFC) creates affordable housing opportunities for the citizens of Harris County. The Corporation is authorized to issue debt for the purpose of supporting affordable single-family home mortgages or interests and providing financing for multi-family housing projects for low and moderate-income owners. The Corporation is led by a nine-member Board of Directors appointed by Harris County Commissioners Court.

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Suzy Silvestre

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Marc Grossman

Spokesperson

mgrossman@chavezfoundation.org

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