In This Episode
As a child, María Teresa Kumar often acted as her family’s de facto interpreter, in some instances going to the doctor with her grandmother to make sure she received the right prescriptions. Her responsibility—one shared among many children of immigrants—left a lasting impression. She navigated two worlds and assumed the role of advocate for those the system quickly left behind.
Today, Kumar maintains an advocacy for Latinos that is louder and more critical than ever before. As president and CEO of Voto Latino, she empowers Latinos to make their voice heard in the voting booth, and she champions the firm conviction that demographics are not destiny if you are silent or unheard. Kumar believes that our voice should move beyond the narrative of resilience to one of rising above—a narrative that can be realized best through civic engagement and congressional representation.
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About Our Guest
María Teresa Kumar is the founding CEO of Voto Latino and Voto Latino Foundation and an Emmy-nominated on-air analyst for MSNBC. As the country’s largest Latinx voter registration and mobilization organization, Voto Latino has played a decisive role in American elections and been a major voice countering disinformation in the Latino community. Under María Teresa’s leadership, this work has garnered numerous awards and recognitions.
María Teresa began her career as a Senior Legislative Aide on Capitol Hill where she worked on appropriations and trade policy. She is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School, an international affairs graduate of the University of California at Davis, a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and a board member of Emily’s List. María Teresa has dedicated her career to engaging the public to build democracy and protect human rights.
Follow María Teresa Kumar
Website: https://votolatino.org
LinkedIn: María Teresa Kumar
Twitter: María Teresa Kumar
