FUSE TV - Our Votes Matter: Meet the Panelists!

It seems every election, we say, this is the most important election yet. But November 3, 2020 is shaping up to decide the fate of our country, even besides the race for the presidency. The last couple years have seen history-making climate strikes, marches against gun violence, and protests against racial injustice in America—and it’s time to make sure the voices of all the people who took part are represented in the White House, the Capitols, and City Halls across the country.

In Our Vote Matters, Fuse’s Townhall on the most crucial issues this election moderated by Amara La Negra, we invited the leading voices on the matters, from climate activists to immigration proponents to racial justice advocates. Learn more about our panelists below—and don’t forget to vote! 

Marcel McClinton 

After surviving a mass shooting in 2016, Marcel McClinton helped organize the March For Our Lives Houston rally, where 15,000 people showed up to protest—at just age 16. He brought his activism to the world of politics going on to run for Houston City Council. Though he lost, his campaign made a statement, and he’s dedicated himself to helping other youths use their voice, hold lawmakers accountable, and work towards a better world. 

Sara Mora

As a DACA recipient, Sara Mora, is more than familiar with the increasingly precarious and terrifying circumstances immigrants face today. She’s served as the co-president of Youth Empower, the student-run branch of the Women’s March, and has encouraged fellow young people to vote and increase youth voter turnout—all while fighting for undocumented people. 

Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali

With decades of experience under his belt, Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali is one of the foremost voices on environmental justice and community revitalization. He was a founding member of the Office of Environmental Justice, a division of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), where he served for over 20 years before resigning in light of the Trump Administration’s cuts to the EPA. He’s dedicated his life to fighting for climate justice for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

María Teresa Kumar

The founding president and CEO of the Voto Latino Foundation, an organization aimed at engaging young Latinx people to register to vote and get more involved in politics, María Teresa Kumar is intimately familiar with just how crucial the Latino vote is, especially in 2020. In 2018, Voto Latino played a huge part in registering over half a million new Latinx voters. Kumar herself has been named one of the ten most influential women in Washington D.C. by Elle Magazine and among the 100 most influential Latinos in America by Hispanic Business.  

Ingrid Duran 

The cofounder of the first Latina/LGBTQ-owned government relations agency in Washington, D.C Ingrid Duran has been a huge voice when it comes to advancing Latinx, multicultural, and LGBTQ issues. As a former Corporal in the US Marine Corps and a former Clerk of the House of Representatives, service is a huge part of Duran’s work. She went on to become the President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute and has been named Top 10 leaders in the Latinx community by Latino Magazine and one of 25 Most Powerful Latinas in the U.S. People en Español.

Julian Brave NoiseCat

At just 27 years old, Julian Brave NoiseCat holds many titles: Journalist, Vice President of Policy & Strategy at Data for Progress, The Narrative Change Director at the National History Museum, Fellow for the NDN Collective. However, one of his most high profile accomplishments has been as an architect of the Green New Deal, the definitive environmental legislation that focuses on racial equity and climate justice. He’s also worked on an Indigenous Green New Deal. While he has authored many public policy briefs, he also takes a grassroots approach to activism as an organizer.

Jamie Margolin

At the age of 19, it seems like Jamie Margolin is already a veteran of environmental activism. The co-founder of Zero Hour, one of the best known youth-led climate justice organizations that organized the Youth Climate March, she’s been a crucial voice when it comes to engaging young people to get involved in environmental causes. She’s been named Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21, was listed as 25 Women Changing the World by People Magazine, and was named a Young Trailblazer at the 2018 ALMAs.

Pete White

For over two decades, community organizer, and civil rights activist Pete White has tirelessly fought for housing rights, food justice, women’s rights, and violence prevention in LA’s Central City East community. As the founder of the Los Angeles Community Action Network he’s helped those dealing with poverty and homelessness reclaim their voice and political power to address issues faced by its largely African American and Latinx constituency.