Celebrating Latinx Heritage Month: Reflections from Max Vargas, Greenlining’s New President & CEO
Today is the start of Latinx Heritage Month, and we celebrate and honor the brilliance of Latinx communities whose cultural, political, and economic contributions are foundational to this country. Latinx communities have built and defended this nation, often while facing forces determined to erase us, deny us freedom, and exploit our labor. Still, we rise, and we celebrate.
Today also happens to be my first day as President & CEO of The Greenlining Institute. As a Peruvian immigrant and proud Latino, this month has always meant a lot to me, but this year, in this political climate, and with so many of our Latinx families and communities concerned for their futures, it means so much more. It means that we must work for equity that much harder, that our solidarity should be that much stronger, and that, despite the threats, we must celebrate that much louder. I can think of no better time to step into this role and into this moment with all of you.
And rest assured this moment needs all of us. Just last week, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration could proceed with race-based targeting and deportations. The hypocrisy is staggering: on one hand, they claim race cannot be considered in opening doors of opportunity, on the other hand, they eagerly use it to justify tearing families apart. This was never about constitutional principles. It’s about making communities of color suffer.
But history tells a different story. Latinx peoples — in partnership and solidarity with Indigenous communities, Afro-descendent communities, and so many others — have built resilience, power, and pathways to freedom and opportunity. We will overcome this, too.
At The Greenlining Institute, we fight for a future where communities of color don’t just survive, but thrive. This is not a distant dream. It is the work being advanced every day in our movements. Because our communities deserve nothing less. Because there is no prosperity or justice in America without us leading the way. I know the road ahead is not easy. But I am ready to get to work alongside you.
