As the year comes to a close, the MA Latino News (MALN) team is looking back at a year’s worth of producing content that provides greater visibility and voice of the Hispanic-Latino community.
In 2021, MALN introduced the “3 Questions With…” (3QW) podcast. 3QW is a public affairs program tackling matters most important to Hispanics-Latinos by speaking with community and industry thought leaders on civic engagement, education, employment, health care, and many more topics.
Thank you for listening and sending your ideas on guests and topics for CTLN to cover.
Here are three of the most popular programs in the podcast’s inaugural year:
In June we spoke with former Chief Celina Barrios-Millner, Director of Equity & Inclusion for the city of Boston talks about closing the wealth gap in Black and Latino communities by embedding equity and racial justice into all City planning and operations. Barrios-Milner has been reassigned as Mayor Michelle Wu’s Office Senior Advisor to the Mayor.
An analysis by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation in May stated that if Massachusetts could close the wealth gap in Black and Latino communities, the state could grow its economy by $25 billion over five years.
In the 3QW interview, Barrios-Millner said she agrees with the study. “Equity is not just a moral imperative; it’s an imperative for our future success”, she said. “People of color are faring worse at every level (health, wealth); then your whole economy is going to be dragged down by those disparities.”
“If you have a large community that’s growing but they’re not really prospering, society ends up losing out,” said Evelyn Barahona, in an interview with 3QW soon after being appointed Director of the Latino Equity Fund (LEF).
Barahona spoke about the advocacy work the LEF is focused on in addressing the longstanding health and economic inequities the Massachusetts Hispanic-Latino community faces.
“Without help, there is no wealth”, said Barahona remembering how longstanding disparities exacerbated by COVID-19 inspired the advocacy group to “switch gears” in providing Hispanics-Latinos the tools necessary not only to survive but to thrive.
In September, Mike Festa, State Director of AARP Massachusetts emphasized on “3 Questions With…” “We are intent on connecting, empowering, and supporting the Hispanic-Latino community.”
“AARP has an appreciation for the need to expand our programming to be more relevant to their needs,” said Festa, about serving the booming 887,000 population of the state.
One of the biggest challenges older people have is scam artists who always look to exploit situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of people when they’re most vulnerable.
A study by the Federal Trade Commission shows that Hispanic-Latino communities report less fraud than others. The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a resource to help people spot and avoid identity theft and fraud.
“3 Questions With…” is produced by the Latino News Network, overseeing five independent local news and information websites with a statewide coverage, Hispanic-Latino editorial focus in New England and the Midwest.
3QW returns in January with new episodes; remember to send your suggestions to info@latinonewsnetwork.com.
A Happy and Healthy 2022 to you all from all of us at MA Latino News!
