By: Ámate Cecilia Perez

Late November, the LREP team attended Facing Race: A National Conference in St. Louis, MO—the largest gathering of individuals and organizations working to end racism in the United States. Being among 4,000 people who share our purpose felt like medicine.

On the shores of the Mississippi River, we gathered to pray and reflect on all the river has witnessed: the removal and decimation of Indigenous peoples, the suffering of enslaved Africans, and the continued struggle for dignity by people of color over the last few decades.

We were also fortunate to convene with other training organizations that partner with key social and racial justice movements. Together, we strategized how to shift our roles as consultants to help build a liberatory future. Reconnecting with colleagues we’ve known for decades and aligning on a collective organizing agenda was just what we needed after the 2024 elections. The rallying cry of the moment, “Get our people,” resonated deeply. Aligning with others in our field and then focusing on communities from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean feels more crucial than ever.

Highlights from the Conference:

• Joy Reid and Alicia Garza in conversation: “The second Trump term has no guardrails, so we must prepare,” they urged. Another striking point: “The Latino vote canceled itself out,” reflecting how our communities remain split—roughly divided between Trump and Harris.
• Meeting Ferguson organizers and hearing from Mike Brown’s parents: An organizer reminded us, “If you do not have feet on the ground, you have no business having your fingers on the keyboard,” reminding us the importance of letting local leaders drive strategy and narrative.
• The power of solidarity narratives: These narratives are essential for building compassion and collective strength.
• Sharing joy: Dancing, connecting over beautiful meals, and celebrating resilience together reminded us of the power of joy in sustaining the work.

This gathering provided the medicine LREP needed to fuel ourselves for the work ahead. The conference reaffirmed the importance of our work within communities from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, especially in this critical moment. The pressure is on and “we must get our people”— and do so with compassion and solidarity guiding every step.

Looking Ahead to 2025

In the coming year, we will continue tending to this work by:

• Conducting more training sessions focused on racial equity for people from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean living in the U.S.
• Creating spaces to address the complexities of race, power, and identity.
• Building deeper connections within our communities from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean living in the U.S. to support their journeys toward liberation.

The road ahead is challenging, but gatherings like Facing Race remind us that we are not alone. Together, we will move forward—with courage, compassion, and solidarity at the center of our efforts.