Antonio Alanis and Dorian Gómez Pestaña, with the support of Black Public Media, are launching a Spanish-language podcast series titled "Me Vacuno Porque…" translated to English as "I Get Vaccinated Because..." The three-episode, 15-minute series is a visually illustrated podcast. The series invites Hispanic/Latino community members working as community health workers and organizers to talk about their decision to get vaccinated in North Carolina, addressing the lasting impact of COVID-19 since it started and their recommendations to continue fostering vaccine equity. These leaders share their perspectives on vaccination, highlighting their contributions during the pandemic and ongoing efforts in the aftermath of COVID-19, shaping a narrative of resilience and unity. Join the conversation as "Me Vacuno Porque..." unfolds, not just as a podcast but as a celebration of strength and community spirit.
Artist and educator living in Durham, North Carolina. His immigrant background, personal history, and education inspired him to explore themes such as social justice, identity, and immigration in North Carolina. He believes the visual arts are integral to promoting cultural awareness about Hispanic/Latinx people in the United States. Antonio is the recipient of the COVID-19 and Adult Vaccine Equity Grant from Black Public Media.
Queer Mexican producer, storyteller, and sound artist raised in the South. Their work delves into themes of belonging, celebrating the immigrant experience, and social justice issues. Her most recent work includes co-producing POV’s Independent Spirit Award Winner, unseen, a film about an aspiring social worker that surmounts political restrictions as a blind, undocumented immigrant to obtain a college degree and support his family. As a 2023 Beyond Status Showcase grantee, dorian wrote, directed, and produced Refugio, a short film exploring an immigrant family's journey towards homeownership in the US while grappling with the complex concept of home. They are a founding member of the Undocumented Filmmakers Collective, whose mission is to tackle the systemic inequities that undocumented immigrants face in the field of filmmaking, by centering the expertise of undocumented people not only as sources of stories but, more importantly, as creators, artists, and primary audiences.
Student and creator living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. His birthplace of Peru has allowed him to explore culture, heritage, and relationships around the Spanish-speaking community. Through projects like the "Me Vacuno Porque" podcast, he believes he can promote a better environment for Latinx people around the state. His involvement in audio production for the podcast has exposed him to experiences and allowed him to learn. To create community diversity, equity, and awareness, he hopes to improve lives one project at a time.