As traditional newspapers shrink and disappear, a reinvention of local journalism is underway. Across the U.S., independent entrepreneurs are redefining the mission, scope, and delivery of local news to serve their communities. Kara Meyberg Guzman, CEO and co-founder of Santa Cruz Local, shares why this moment is full of hope. Kara Meyberg Guzman prioritizes serving marginalized communities through fair, accurate, and accessible news. As board president of the Tiny News Collective, a national nonprofit, she supports early-stage news entrepreneurs aiming to serve their communities, believing in the power of local media to elevate diverse voices for effective local democracy.

Virtual Reality brings to life the immediate threats of climate change, from raging wildfires and scorching heat waves to rising sea levels. Dr. Juliano Calil demonstrates how immersive storytelling can boost awareness, drive engagement, prevent climate denial, and inspire action in a changing climate. Juliano Calil, Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy and Adjunct Professor at the Middlebury Institute, pioneers science communication for climate action. With a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz and a Master’s from UC Santa Barbara, he collaborates with communities on innovative solutions for climate challenges like coastal flooding, wildfires, and heatwaves.

Hear about the journey of reclaiming and reshaping the term “chingar” into “xingona” as a symbol of empowerment. MariaElena De La Garza discusses the reappropriation of this term from derogatory to one that celebrates Latina power, leadership, and activism. MariaElena De La Garza is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience. She strives to promote equity and is an advocate for the immigrant and low-income communities. She has been honored with many awards, including the UC-Santa Cruz Tony Hill Memorial Award for Social Justice and the Santa Cruz County Nexties Lifetime Achievement Award.

Climate change is one of the biggest threats facing this generation. Dr. Nicole Beck unveils the transformative power of rainwater as a simple strategy for communities to build local resilience and adapt to this global crisis. Nicole Beck, with a Ph.D. in aquatic chemistry, is dedicated to bringing science to decision-makers. As CEO of a technology firm, she utilizes stormwater GIS software, empowering local governments and large landowners to manage urban runoff effectively. Her mission focuses on applying technical expertise to inform land management decisions and safeguard water resources.

MariaElena De La Garza transforms “chingar” into “xingona,” turning a negative term into a celebration of Latina strength and activism. With 30 years in nonprofit leadership, she champions equity and supports immigrant and low-income groups, earning accolades like the UC-Santa Cruz Tony Hill Award and the Santa Cruz County Nexties Lifetime Achievement Award.

Esabella Bonner explores the shift from passive values to active engagement. Inspired by personal experiences, she advocates for turning values into verbs, emphasizing tangible actions. Through stories and initiatives, like Black Surf Santa Cruz, she illustrates the impact of living values daily for systemic change. Esabella Bonner, entrepreneur and visionary, orchestrated Santa Cruz County’s largest protest in 2020, drawing 5,000 attendees. This sparked her commitment to movement work, fostering inclusivity for black and brown individuals at paddle outs for Black Lives Matter. Her organization Black Surf Santa Cruz aims to promote physical, spiritual, and communal wellness and healing through surfing, recreation, and education.

In an artful mix of song and dance, Angela Chambers and August Lee Stevens speak to the power of collaboration. August’s blend of the indie soul and folk genres mesh with Angela’s interpretive dance, culminating in an unforgettable performance that speaks to themes of transformation, hope, identity, and intimacy. August Lee Stevens is a musician and singer-songwriter with an atmospheric range of indie soul and folk. A lover of storytelling, she uses music to cut into the heart, inviting people to look in on some of her most intimate moments. She just released her debut EP, Better Places in partnership with Women’s Audio Mission (WAM). Angela Chambers is a community leader, advocate for youth, and acclaimed dance artist. Her journey in the arts shifted from Musical Theater to dance at UC Santa Cruz, where she discovered its potential for personal transformation and social activism. Angela emphasizes access, equity, and excellence through her teaching and directing at Tannery World Dance & Cultural Center and the Santa Cruz County Black Health Matters Initiative Youth Ambassador program.

Our economy is not a game. Yet many of us feel like tokens on an out-of-control boardgame, all while our dreams are feeling less and less attainable. But we can change all this, and according to Maria Cadenas, all it takes is three foundational steps. Maria Cadenas, MBA, born in Mexico and raised in California, is dedicated to championing economic prosperity for rural Latine working class families on the California Central Coast. For over 20 years, she has led initiatives addressing issues from LGBTQ employee rights at Fortune 500 companies to immigrant community policies as the former Associate Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin.

In a moving testimony about her transgender journey from boy to woman, 18-year-old Madeline Aliah explains the need for a gender-affirming mindset that goes beyond safe spaces to imagine a world that doesn’t need them. Madeline Aliah, an 18-year-old transgender poet, draws on biracial South Asian roots and a dually religious upbringing in Christianity and Ismaili Islam, to cultivate empathy across diverse audiences. A member of the Santa Cruz Queer Trans Youth Council, she advocates for inclusivity, addressing educators on fostering diverse school culture. Her debut chapbook, This is My Body, Poems by a Teen Trans Fem, was released in January 2024. T

Explore the transformative power of networks in uplifting underprivileged communities. From farmworker communities to Silicon Valley, this talk highlights resilience, mentorship, and philanthropy, illustrating how collective support can break barriers and ignite paths to success. The speakers describe how to create a positive, successful mentorship model will always cycle back on itself. Alex Chavez-Guerrero, a Watsonville-based software engineer, began his tech journey at Buoy Labs, later acquired by Resideo Technologies. With a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from San Jose State University, he excels in cutting-edge technologies. At DigitalNEST, Alex advocates for scalable social capital impact, emphasizing intergenerational narratives, growth, and mentorship. Alex will be speaking with Jacob Martinez and Martín Vargas Vega. Jacob Martinez founded Digital NEST, empowering rural youth for employment. He spent nearly 10 years encouraging Latina girls to study computer science. Jacob is on the boards of Santa Cruz Works, Center for Rural Innovation, and the advisory council for the Aspen Institute Technology Accountability Coalition. Jacob will speak with Martín Vargas Vega and Alex Chavez-Guerrero. Martín Vargas-Vega, a Latinx philanthropist and software engineer from Watsonville, California, is devoted to bridging the digital divide. As an engineer, he combines innovation with a commitment to societal progress. A board member of DigitalNEST and leader in Latinos In Tech, Martín oversees the distribution of $250,000+ in grants to Latinx-led nonprofits. Martín will be speaking with Jacob Martinez and Alex Chavez-Guerrero.

Donnie Veal, overcoming adversity in prison and his community, embraced education for hope and change. As a program coordinator, he now leads others toward a fresh start, away from recidivism. His 23-year journey from inmate to education advocate and UC Santa Cruz graduate demonstrates education’s power to transform lives.

As a high school counselor, Daisy Nuñez is familiar with the earth-shattering force of grief on a young mind. In this talk, Daisy shares how her grief group, aptly named The Hope Club, fosters a sense of community while healing during difficult times. Daisy Nuñez, daughter of farm workers, serves as a counselor at Watsonville High School and Hartnell College. As a thanatologist and Hospice board member, she brings a unique perspective to her work supporting individuals experiencing grief. In her spare time, she volunteers as a lector at Saint Patrick’s Church and enjoys traveling as well as spending time with her family.

Through millennia, admiring the night sky has been a fundamental aspect of our humanity, uniting us across cultures. This talk explores how astronomy education can foster kindness, compassion, and peace in our conflicted world, reminding us we are all inherently interconnected. César Rojas-Bravo, born in Costa Rica, pursued a double major in Physics and Classical Philology (the study of Ancient Greece and Rome) before moving to California. Currently completing a Ph.D. at UC Santa Cruz, he is dedicated to bringing astronomy to underrepresented communities globally. Graduating soon, César enjoys exploring diverse cultures, languages, and people in his free time.

Next time you want to feel really, really good about something you are wearing, make sure you have asked three brand N.E.W. questions. According to Stephen-Will Weir, the Slow Fashion movement is going to be good for your smile, your pocket, and the planet. Stephen-Will Weir, a passionate global sustainability expert, aids in waste reduction and combating deforestation. Straightforward and determined, he’s deeply connected to family, friends, and community. Born in England, he now lives in Santa Cruz and has two grown sons. Stephen enjoys hiking, kite surfing, sailing, and nature. His superpower lies in assisting others toward fun, easy, and rewarding low-impact lifestyles.