Just a decade ago, millions of Latinos woke up feeling that our communities were being defined by others. The public debate was filled with speeches that pointed at us, political decisions began to directly affect the lives of our families and it became evident that it was not enough to react every time a crisis arose. We had to organize ourselves. Leadership had to be built. We had to generate civic power from our own communities.

It was in that context that, in 2019, Poder Latinx was born.

Not in response to a single election or a specific political moment, but as a conviction that civic participation cannot be a last-ditch effort. From day one we understood that building democracy meant accompanying communities throughout the year, forming new leadership, changing narratives and connecting the daily concerns of families, from the economy and immigration to environmental justice and the cost of energy, with the power they have to transform those realities.

Seven years later, that conviction not only remains valid; It is more urgent than ever.

Today, the decisions made at the polls, in state legislatures, and in our communities have a direct impact on the daily lives of millions of Latino families. The rising cost of living, higher energy bills, the impact of extreme heat, and immigration uncertainty are part of the conversations our communities have every day. At the same time, Latinos continue to grow as a fundamental force in the economy, culture and democracy of this country.

The question is no longer whether Latino communities will play a role in the future of the United States. The question is whether they will have the tools, resources and opportunities to help build it.

Democracy is not only strengthened every two or four years, when the polls are opened. It is strengthened every day when people have reliable information, know their rights, participate in their communities and develop the leadership necessary to influence the decisions that impact their lives.

That means talking about much more than elections.

It means talking about families looking to reduce the cost of their electricity bills. Of agricultural workers who face increasingly extreme temperatures. Of young people who want to participate in the decisions of their communities. Of immigrants who need clear information and reliable resources. From fathers and mothers who seek better opportunities for their children.

In other words, it means recognizing that civic participation begins long before casting a vote.

Over the last seven years, at Poder Latinx we have proven that when a community receives tools, education and opportunities to organize, real changes occur. People who had never participated in electoral processes become community leaders. Young people discover their voice and mobilize others. Families understand that decisions made by a city council, state legislature, or public utility board directly affect their quality of life.

That's why our job has never been just about increasing voter turnout. It's about building leadership, strengthening trust, and creating a culture of participation that lasts long after an election is over.

Over these seven years, Poder Latinx has expanded its work from Central Florida to six other states, registering and mobilizing thousands of eligible voters, forming new leadership, and organizing communities around issues such as immigration, economic and environmental justice, climate resilience, and energy affordability. Through programs like Poderosas and EcoPoder, we have created spaces where communities not only receive information, but develop the tools to become agents of change.

This year, we also assume a new national responsibility by becoming the new home of National Vote Early Day, an initiative that promotes early voting, voter education, and makes it easier for more people to have access to the information necessary to participate in our democracy.

But the work is far from over.

The 2026 midterm elections will be a decisive moment. Millions of Latinos will have the opportunity to influence decisions on the economy, immigration, education, affordable energy, climate resilience and civil rights. However, participation does not happen by chance. It requires constant investment, accessible education, community organizing and trust.

It requires institutions that listen to communities before, during and after elections. It requires leaders who understand that representing a community means being there all year round, not just when they seek its support.

Therefore, our call is clear: democracy needs all of us.

If you are a community leader, continue organizing. If you are young, participate and make your voice heard. If you are a citizen eligible to vote, educate yourself and encourage others to participate. If you are an institution, a media outlet or a public official, invest in building genuine relationships with the communities you serve.

Because democracy is not built solely at the polls. It is built in our neighborhoods, in our conversations, and in our communities' ability to imagine and create a different future.

As we celebrate seven years of Poder Latinx, we don't just look back to recognize what we've accomplished. We look forward with the certainty that when Latino communities are informed, organized and empowered, they not only strengthen their own voice: they strengthen the democracy of the entire country.

And that work is just beginning.

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