Speakers

Speakers

MARCHA 2017, in collaboration with the National Hispanic/Latino National Plan of the UMC, will offer a diverse first-class lineup of speakers and work group facilitators that will invite participants to a transformational  reflection and engagement on issues impacting the Hispanic community and the society in general and share a vision of hope for the future of our communities, and ministries.

Mark Hugo López

 Mark Hugo Lopez is director of Hispanic research at Pew Research Center. He studies the attitudes and opinions of Latinos, Hispanic views of identity, the political engagement of Latinos in the nation’s elections, and Latino youth. Lopez also coordinates the Center’s National Survey of Latinos, an annual nationwide survey of Hispanics.

Pablo Alvarado

years, Alvarado, 38, is considered the Cesar Chavez of the jornaleros (day workers), who assemble on street corners, offering to do odd jobs. He is credited with, among other triumphs, spearheading the campaign to overturn ordinances around the country that prohibit day laborers from soliciting work in public places and with forming alliances on issues like better working conditions and higher wages with union federations, which tend to see immigrants as competitors.

Astrid Silva

Astrid Silva is an undocumented immigrant from Mexico living in the United States. The DREAMer and immigration activist made a national name for herself after she spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2016.

Bishop Minerva Carcaño

Minerva Garza Carcaño was elected to the episcopacy in 2004 by the Western Jurisdictional Conference of the United Methodist Church, the first Hispanic female ever elected bishop. he has a long history of committed involvement in ministries with immigrants and refugees, the poor and US/Mexico border communities. She has encouraged and led congregations to be active in community organizing and to work ecumenically believing that communities hold the experience and wisdom to create a world of justice and peace if they will but come together.

Alexis Francisco

 As Graduate Student Intern, helped to organize and coordinate the East Harlem Community Alliance – a consortium of non-profits, businesses, religious organizations and government agencies working together to enhance the vitality and well-being of East Harlem. The Alliance pursues its mission by undertaking joint projects and activities designed to address the needs of the residents of East Harlem, and by serving as a forum through which member organizations can create connections, share information, and continue to grow and thrive in East Harlem.

Justo González

is a Cuban American Methodist historian and theologian. He is a prolific author and an influential contributor to the development of Latino/Latina (or Hispanic) theology. He is a leading voice in the growing field of Hispanic theology,comparable to such figures as Virgilio Elizondo, Orlando Costas,[5] and Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz. González is one of the few first generation Latino theologians to come from a Protestant background[6] With Mexican-American United Methodist minister Roy Barton, González helped found the first academic journal related to Latino/a theology, Apuntes, published by the Mexican American Program of Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.[7] He also helped to found the Association for Hispanic Theological Education,[8] for which he has twice served as Executive Council Chair.[9] He was the first Director of the Hispanic Summer Program[10] and helped found the Hispanic Theological Initiative.