Note: We will continue to add additional speakers as they are finalized.
Brandon Loran Maxwell
Brandon Loran Maxwell is a writer, speaker, prize winning essayist, film director, and entrepreneur. His writings have been cited at the U.S. Supreme Court, The Los Angeles Times, Vox, NPR, and The Washington Post. In addition, his writings have been published at The Hill, Salon, Townhall, The Washington Examiner, The Oregonian, and the Foundation For Economic Education, among others. He holds a B.S. in political science, and writes about politics and culture.
Mike Madrid
Mike Madrid is a veteran American political consultant, one of the country’s authoritative experts on Latino voters, and a cofounder of The Lincoln Project. A graduate of Georgetown University, he served as the press secretary for the California Assembly Republican leader, as the political director for the California Republican Party, and as senior adviser to both Democrats and Republicans. He is a partner in GrassrootsLab, a political consulting firm in California.
Anasazi Ochoa
Anasazi Ochoa is a multimedia journalist based in Los Angeles. She has contributed digital content to several media outlets across Southern California, including Chela Media and CALO News, specializing in cultural commentary and Chicano studies. Anasazi is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism.
David Peñaloza
David Carrillo Peñaloza is an assistant editor on the Los Angeles Times’ breaking news team, the Fast Break Desk. He learned to read because of the newspaper. At breakfast, it was his job to translate stories to his parents, who were unable to read in English. His work has appeared in the Chicago Tribune, New York Times and Washington Post.
Kenneth Castillo
Kenneth Castillo is a director and writer. To date he has written and directed seven feature films and several short films. He has established himself in the urban Latino genre and his films have screened all over the world on various platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Redbox and Tubi. Currently, his urban feature film trilogy The Drive-By Chronicles can be seen on CineLatino throughout Mexico and Latin America.
Vanessa Bustamante
Dr. Vanessa Marie Bustamante has published research on organizations created by/for students of color. She has received recognition for her advisory roles, including the Latina Leadership Network of the California Community Colleges “2020 Madrina Award” and AFLV-West “2018 Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Professional Award.” She earned her Bachelor’s in Chicanx Studies and Communication Studies, and a Masters in Higher Education Administration from CSUN. She earned her Doctorate of Higher Education Leadership from USC.
Gil Tejada
Gil Tejada is a commentator, entrepreneur, and podcast host. He has been featured in news publications such as the Epoch Times and cited by major news outlets such as Rolling Stone Magazine. His podcast “The American Cholo” is one of the most listened to Latino podcasts in the country. In addition, he is the founder of A.C. Studios in North Hollywood.
Johnny Murillo
Johnny Murillo is an entrepreneur and producer. He is founder of Chicano Hollywood, a media and film streaming platform based out of Los Angeles California which brings Latino stories to ROKU and Amazon Fire. In addition, Murillo is an advocate of representation in Hollywood. He is active in the Chicano and Mexican American communities.
Anthony Prieto
Anthony Prieto is an artist, musician, filmmaker, and advocate for “conscious hunting.” His work related to lead-free ammo has been featured at national publications such as the New York Times. In addition, his films on conscious hunting have appeared at film festivals such as the Santa Barbara Film Festival. He is currently working on his third film.