Washington, DC – The Voto Latino Foundation is proud to welcome Mariana Atencio, Peabody Award-winner, author, motivational speaker, journalist and co-founder of GoLike, a multimedia company to the VLF Impact Council, a community-led coalition of nearly 200 select members from the music, entertainment and film industries, in addition to corporate brands like Walmart and Nike, celebrities and influencers who have committed time, money and volunteer hours to help us turn out the Latinx vote in 2020.
Mariana’s experience showcasing Latinx issues in the United States and abroad on mainstream media in English and Spanish will be essential in communicating critical information to the Latinx community and making sure that Latinx voters have the resources they need to be empowered and make their voices heard in November.
“We are closing in on the most critical election in our lifetimes and Mariana’s expertise and assistance in this fight could not be more timely,” said Voto Latino President and CEO, María Teresa Kumar. “I have been an admirer of Mariana’s work for years and I have no doubt that, with her help, we will guide the Latinx community to the finish line on November 3rd.”
Through her storytelling, Mariana has become a bridge of understanding and a formidable ambassador of our community worldwide. As a first-time voter herself, Mariana’s partnership with Voto Latino is deeply personal.
“Being Latinx is such a superpower,” said Mariana Atencio. “What unites us is more than language, traditions, or skin tones. It is an extraordinary resilience, that comes from our roots and celebrates our multicultural identity. I’m proud to be joining the Voto Latino Impact Council, along with my business partner Mirna Couto, a firm believer in empowering our community through visibility and storytelling. This November, we hope to bring a positive outlook to our collective Latinx pride, regardless of country of origin or political affiliations, by exercising our right to vote, instead of perpetuating the “sleeping giant” analogy that takes away our real power.”
Mariana joins figures such as Zoe Saldana, Carlos Ponce, Joan Smalls, and others on the VLF Impact Council. Through November 3rd, the Impact Council will provide up-to-date information and validation for Latinx voters on how to register to vote and cast their ballots safely.
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Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs and authentic voices, we shepherd the Latinx community towards the full realization of its political power.