This workshop will equip young adults with the tools, knowledge, and confidence needed to step into leadership roles and drive meaningful change in their communities. By breaking down the barriers that often discourage young people from running for office—such as financial constraints, lack of institutional knowledge, and limited access to networks—we will provide a clear roadmap for launching a successful campaign. Participants will gain practical skills in fundraising, message development, coalition building, and voter engagement, empowering them to navigate the political process effectively. Additionally, the session will connect attendees with essential resources and mentorship opportunities to ensure long-term support in their leadership journeys. Beyond running for office, the workshop will emphasize various civic engagement pathways, from serving on boards and commissions to advocating for policy changes. By providing these actionable insights and skill-building opportunities, we aim to foster a pipeline of young, diverse, and passionate Latino leaders who are prepared to amplify their voices and ignite action within their communities.

Orion Tripodis is a political strategist, consultant, and advocate for young political leaders. As an elected delegate to the California Democratic Party for AD 42, President of Castillo Tripodis Consulting, and Co-Founder of Elect.org, he has dedicated his career to breaking down barriers for young people and first-time candidates in public service. A University of California, Berkeley Political Science graduate, Orion has managed and served on over two dozen winning campaigns since entering the political sphere at 16 and held various positions within the local and state Democratic parties. With deep expertise in campaign strategy and grassroots organizing, he is committed to building the infrastructure needed to empower the next generation of political leaders.

My session will provide young people with a foundational understanding of activism, equipping them with the historical context, strategic frameworks, and practical skills necessary to effect change in their communities. Through an interactive and experiential approach, participants will engage in: The History of Activism – Understanding how movements throughout history have been built and sustained, from the Civil Rights Movement to contemporary social justice efforts. By studying past struggles and victories, young people will recognize the power of collective action and see themselves as part of a long legacy of changemakers. Introduction to Kingian Nonviolence – I will introduce the six principles and six steps of Kingian Nonviolence, providing youth with a philosophy and methodology for social change that prioritizes love, truth, and reconciliation over destruction and division. Participants will explore real-world applications of nonviolent direct action and conflict reconciliation, learning how to transform injustice without replicating harm. Organizing 101 – Youth will gain concrete organizing skills, including how to: Identify community issues and develop clear demands Build coalitions and mobilize peers Plan and execute actions such as rallies, petitions, and legislative advocacy Engage with media and leverage storytelling to shift narratives Navigate potential challenges, including legal considerations and risk assessment Action Planning & Resource Sharing – To ensure this session is not just theoretical, I will guide participants in creating their own action plans based on issues they care about. They will leave with tangible next steps and a network of mentors, toolkits, and resources to help sustain their activism beyond the session. By blending history, strategy, and hands-on training, this workshop will empower young people to step into their leadership and engage in effective, principled action for justice. My goal is for each participant to walk away with confidence, clarity, and community—knowing that they are capable of making meaningful change.

Carmen Perez-Jordan is an award-winning, internationally recognized civil and human rights leader and Chicana feminist. She is the President & CEO of The Gathering for Justice, a social justice organization founded by the late, great Harry Belafonte. Carmen co-founded Justice League NYC and Justice League CA, two state-based task forces dedicated to advancing juvenile and criminal justice reform. Under her leadership, Justice League NYC organized mass protests, including the historic 250-mile march from New York City to Washington, DC, delivering a Justice Package, a legislative agenda aimed at addressing systemic injustices, to Congress. She also spearheaded the distribution of “I Can’t Breathe” shirts in response to the non-indictment in the Eric Garner case, which helped bring national attention to police violence against communities of color. Carmen has led high-profile campaigns such as Free Meek Mill, Free Pedro Hernandez, Take a Knee with Colin Kaepernick, and the I Am MEGAN campaign in support of Megan Thee Stallion, among others. Beyond U.S. borders, she played a critical role in the Transnational Advisory Group in Support of the Peace Process in El Salvador (TAGSPPES), advocating for a peace process that included all sectors of Salvadoran society. As the founder of Latinx Police Accountability Next (LPAN), Carmen is dedicated to ensuring accountability within law enforcement by advocating for transparency, oversight, and justice for the Latinx community. She is also working on an oral history project to uplift the stories of Latinos impacted by state-sanctioned violence and police killings over the last 250 years since the annexation of Mexican territories into the United States, ensuring these overlooked narratives are documented and shared. Furthermore, Carmen is leading partnerships for The Next 250 initiative, which focuses on shaping a more just and equitable future by addressing systemic inequality, racial justice, and transformative social change. The initiative ultimately aims to evolve The Declaration of Independence into a Declaration of Interdependence, reflecting shared responsibility and justice. As one of the co-founders and national co-chairs of the 2017 Women’s March on Washington, which mobilized over 5 million people globally, Carmen was instrumental in fostering partnerships, engaging influencers, and crafting the Unity Principles that guided the march.  She is the co-founder of Women’s March Inc. and led the process to create the Women’s Agenda. She also co-founded Poderistas, a platform dedicated to amplifying Latina voices, and serves on the advisory boards of Monogram and Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop!, as well as on the Board of Directors for Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos. Carmen is featured in the upcoming film Following Harry, which highlights the activism of her mentor and former boss, the legendary Harry Belafonte. The film explores Belafonte’s remarkable work in the final decade of his life and his profound influence on leaders like Carmen. It celebrates his legacy in civil rights and human rights efforts, offering an intimate look at how he inspired a new generation of advocates. Her contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of Fortune’s Top 50 World Leaders, one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People, Glamour Woman of the Year, Latina of the Year by Latina Magazine, a recipient of the Frederick Douglass 200 Award, and one of Forbes México’s 100 Mujeres Más Poderosas, among others. She has been a featured speaker at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, The Academy, and Peloton, with her work highlighted in Forbes, TIME, MSNBC, Univision, ELLE, Glamour, and Bustle. Above all, Carmen takes the most pride in being a mother to her two young children, instilling in them the values of justice, resilience, and community leadership.

This presentation stems from a forthcoming book inspired by a College Latina/o/Ethnic Studies course. It explores the psychological and social importance of fear and how to approach it positively through the lens of Latina/o cultural and psychological strengths.

Dr. Cervantes is a distinguished leader in education and the community. He currently serves as the Director for District 12 of the California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Vice President of the San Benito County LULAC chapter. His career commenced as a youth council member, during which he played a pivotal role in establishing California's inaugural young adult council. He also earned the accolade of LULAC's National Young Man of the Year.His professional and educational journey exemplifies the substantial impact of engagement in organizations such as LULAC. Dr. Cervantes earned his doctorate from the University of San Francisco, a master's degree from Stanford University, and professional certifications from Harvard Online. His doctoral research, which focused on transformational leadership and student equity, culminated in a published book. With over 20 years of experience in higher education, he currently serves as a Dean at Cabrillo College. He also teaches Sociology and Ethnic Studies at Gavilan College, where he inspires students to pursue their highest aspirations. Dr. Cervantes is a dedicated advocate and serves on the board of directors for the Community Development Corporation, which supports small businesses. Moreover, with gratitude, he has engaged with the Latino Leadership Alliance, the Association of Community College Administrators Mentor Program, and Leadership Gilroy, further enhancing his leadership capabilities. His steadfast commitment to uplifting communities distinguishes him as a leader who fosters positive change.

Adriana Morales Soto is a dedicated Student Support Specialist at Cabrillo College, where she plays a pivotal role in empowering students through her extensive knowledge and commitment to their success. Leveraging her rich experience, Adriana connects students with vital resources and opportunities that promote academic excellence and personal development. She specializes in early college access initiatives, adeptly guiding high school students through the intricate matriculation process and ensuring they transition smoothly into college life.She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Merced, where she made significant contributions as the Basic Needs Multimedia Lead and Housing and Residence Life Office Assistant, reinforcing her commitment to enhancing the student experience. She co-authored the impactful article "Día De los Muertos: Contemplating Death to Live a More Meaningful Life," which has become an essential component of a college ethnic studies course curriculum. Adriana’s diverse skills and unwavering dedication to student success make her an invaluable asset to higher education and the community.

This workshop will discuss the various trajectories one can take to become a civil rights advocate, whether it be a civil rights attorney, community organizer, or grassroots mobilizer. The workshop will also discuss the most effective ways of achieving systematic change in your community.

Denisse is the founder and lead trial attorney at Gastélum Law, APC, where her civil rights practice focuses primarily on police shootings and in custody death cases, representing plaintiffs in state and federal courts throughout the State of California. She previously worked as a defense attorney, where she specialized in public entity defense. This experience provides her with the unique ability to analyze a case from both a defense and plaintiff’s perspective. Ms. Gastélum is a proud Past President of the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA), Latina Lawyers Bar Association (LLBA) and the California La Raza Lawyers Association (CLRLA), and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the ACLU of Southern California (ACLU SoCal), National Police Accountability Project (NPAP), Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA), Consumers Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA), and the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC). She received her B.A. from UCLA and her J.D. from Loyola Law School. Over the years, Denisse has been a speaker on various panels regarding the practice of law and career advice. She is considered an expert in in custody death civil rights cases. In 2024, Denisse was the lead litigator behind the historic jail death settlement in the Trejo v. County of Imperial. In 2023 and 2022, Denisse was recognized as a Super Lawyer. In 2022, Denisse was a recipient of the CAOC Street Fighter of the Year Award for her role on the litigation team behind the Alarcio v. County of Los Angeles federal civil rights action, which resulted in the largest jail-death related settlement against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. In 2021, Denisse was recognized by the Hispanic National Bar Association as a Top Lawyers Under 40 Award recipient. In 2020, Denisse was recognized as being Top 40 Under 40 and Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers.

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Rosio Pedroso, MPP, Principal of Pedroso Consulting has over 20 years of experience conducting research and evaluation for underrepresented and underserved communities.  She has conducted evaluations, needs assessments, primary research, empathy studies, focus groups, and interviews on a variety of topics including K-5 literacy, secondary and postsecondary STEM initiatives for underrepresented groups and first-generation college students. She has contributed to several National Science Foundation and Department of Education federal grants as the external evaluator. She also contributed to strategic planning efforts for suicide prevention and adult education consortiums in California.  She graduated from Princeton University with a major in Sociology and received her Master's in Public Policy from Georgetown University. She is currently the Director of Community, Continuing and Corporate Education for Gavilan Community College.