Magazine, The Immigrant Experience
At a recent Ethnic Media Services briefing, the spotlight was on the efforts of seven trailblazing leaders who have been honored for their impactful solutions to some of California’s most pressing issues. The central theme of the briefing revolved around the ongoing challenges of racism and discrimination faced by ethnic minorities, particularly in rural parts of the state. These communities often find themselves marginalized, with limited access to resources and a deep mistrust of local government systems. To address these issues, the state launched the CA vs Hate initiative in May 2023, aiming to provide direct support to communities facing a surge in hate crimes, which have nearly doubled in California since 2019.
Emphasizing the effectiveness of CA vs Hate and other state initiatives, it also explored how ethnic minorities in rural areas are coping with hate and discrimination. The event provided valuable insights into how California’s programs could serve as models for other regions in the U.S., offering hope and a blueprint for combating hate and promoting inclusivity.
Key Highlights from the Event
Nayamin Martinez, Executive Director of the Central California Environmental Justice Network (CCJ), was the first speaker. She shared her personal journey of becoming an advocate for immigrant and farmworker rights. As a proud Mexican immigrant, Nayamin has spent nearly 25 years in Fresno, working to improve the lives of immigrant communities, particularly farmworkers who face significant environmental and social challenges. Her dedication to social justice began in her home country of Mexico, where she worked alongside indigenous communities to fight human rights violations. Upon moving to the U.S., she continued her work, helping immigrants access healthcare, fighting against environmental hazards, and advocating for policies to protect farmworkers.
During the briefing, Nayamin discussed recent policy wins her organization has achieved, such as the creation of California’s first statewide pesticide notification system and successful efforts to ban oil drilling near populated areas. These victories underscore the power of grassroots organizing and the resilience of the communities she serves.
She also addressed the direct impact of federal immigration policies, particularly under the Trump administration, on the farmworker community. Immigration raids, deportations, and the fear of family separation have created a climate of uncertainty and economic hardship. These policies have had a ripple effect on California’s agriculture sector, resulting in labor shortages in critical industries like citrus farming. Nayamin highlighted the challenges faced by organizations like hers, including freezes in environmental protection grants and reduced funding for food banks that serve immigrant communities.
Despite these obstacles, Nayamin remains hopeful, emphasizing that the California state government has made significant strides in protecting immigrants and addressing environmental issues. She sees an opportunity for solidarity among marginalized groups, including African American and Native American communities, who are also facing challenges. By working together, these communities can become stronger allies in defending their rights.
Nayamin’s most immediate goal is to educate her community about their rights. Her organization is focused on empowering individuals with the knowledge they need to navigate legal and social challenges, particularly in cases of deportation or discrimination. She believes that knowledge is power and that providing resources and information is crucial in helping vulnerable communities protect themselves.
Community Collaboration and Future Outlook
The briefing also featured other prominent leaders, including Cindy Downing from the James Irvine Foundation, Cutcha Risling Baldy, and Helen Iris Torres, each offering valuable insights into how to best address the challenges faced by ethnic minorities and immigrants in California.
The event underscored the importance of initiatives like CA vs Hate but also highlighted the broader need for continued collaboration across different sectors of society. Whether through legislative action, grassroots organizing, or community education, the leaders emphasized that lasting change requires the collective effort of individuals, organizations, and government entities working together.
As the briefing concluded, the sense of urgency was clear: in the face of rising hate crimes and discrimination, the fight for equality and justice for California’s ethnic minorities is far from over. However, through continued advocacy, education, and solidarity, there is hope for a more inclusive future where all communities are treated with dignity and respect.
Elevating Indigenous Knowledge and Food Sovereignty
Following Nayamin Martinez’s impactful contribution, Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy, co-director of the Roop Dhalagur Food Sovereignty Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Institute at Cal Poly Humboldt, took the stage to offer a powerful perspective on indigenous sovereignty, food systems, and environmental justice.
Dr. Risling Baldy began by introducing the formal title of her lab, Roop Dhalagur, a Wiyot phrase meaning “everyone works” or “everyone works together.” This name was chosen through a collaborative process with local Wiyot peoples, reflecting the collective nature of their work and honoring the indigenous peoples of the region. The lab aims to bridge the gap between indigenous knowledge and modern environmental science, focusing on promoting indigenous sovereignty in ecology, food, and culture.
Dr. Risling Baldy shared her own personal journey, emphasizing the significance of her indigenous heritage. She is Hoopa, Yoruk, and Karuk, and is enrolled in the Hoopa Valley Tribe. Dr. Risling Baldy discussed the unique historical context of her people, who had limited contact with Western settlers until the Gold Rush of 1849, allowing her communities to maintain traditional ways of life and knowledge systems.
Her work in the lab builds upon thousands of years of indigenous science, which she described as not only ancient but deeply practical, rooted in long-term observations and scientific experimentation. Dr. Risling Baldy highlighted the contrast between indigenous approaches, which view humans as part of nature, and Western conservation models, which often separate humans from the natural world. Indigenous communities have long understood the interconnectedness of all life and have historically lived in a way that ensured sustainability and mutual care.
In response to current federal policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Dr. Risling Baldy spoke about how indigenous communities have historically navigated hostile federal systems. She recounted stories of resistance, where indigenous peoples preserved their culture and practices despite attempts to erase them. Dr. Risling Baldy emphasized that indigenous communities continue to assert their sovereignty, promote cultural practices, and advocate for environmental justice.
She concluded her remarks by emphasizing the importance of community-based approaches to climate change, food sovereignty, and environmental justice. For Dr. Risling Baldy, her work goes beyond academic research; it is about empowering communities, ensuring the sustainability of indigenous practices, and protecting the land and water for future generations.
Empowering Latinas for Civic Leadership
Helen Iris Torres, CEO of Hispanas Organized for Political Equity (HOPE), shared an inspiring reflection on her journey to advocate for economic and political parity for Latinas. Under her leadership, HOPE has become a powerful statewide network, significantly impacting Latinas’ involvement in civic leadership and advocacy.
Helen’s personal journey was deeply rooted in her mother’s struggles as a single mother from Puerto Rico. Helen shared how her mother faced systemic barriers, including lack of bilingual education and an unfriendly healthcare system. These early experiences motivated Helen to contribute to changing the systems that perpetuate such injustices. Through HOPE, Helen has helped Latinas become leaders, with 61% of alumni now serving on government boards or commissions, and 16% holding or running for elected office.
Helen also addressed the challenges posed by recent federal policies aimed at eliminating DEI programs. Despite setbacks, she reaffirmed that the mission of HOPE remains strong: to empower Latinas and advocate for systemic change. Helen emphasized that while significant progress has been made, the fight for racial, gender, and economic equity continues. She called for greater recognition of women leaders, particularly in grassroots movements, and emphasized the importance of women creating their own leadership tables when excluded from decision-making spaces.
Helen concluded by emphasizing the need for community and collective action to achieve meaningful change. She reminded the audience that women have always led, even if their contributions were overlooked, and that today’s leaders must continue to lift each other up to create a more inclusive society.
Closing Remarks: Amplifying Grassroots Leadership
The final speaker, Cindy Downing, Program Officer at the James Irvine Foundation, provided an insightful overview of the foundation’s leadership awards. These awards recognize leaders who are addressing California’s most critical challenges with innovative solutions. Cindy highlighted the significant impact of the awards, noting that each recipient’s organization receives a $350,000 grant to further their work.
Cindy also encouraged ethnic media outlets to help spread the word about the 2026 nominations. She emphasized the importance of recognizing underrepresented leaders and shared that the nomination process had been streamlined to make it more accessible to people from all ethnic backgrounds.
Through Cindy’s words, it was clear that the James Irvine Foundation is committed not only to recognizing outstanding leaders but also to supporting their continued success. By focusing on grassroots leadership and providing both financial resources and visibility, the foundation is helping to shape a more equitable and inclusive future for California.
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