A powerful cultural movement is taking shape as Latino celebrities and influencers step into their power—not just as entertainers, but as advocates for justice and unity. The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), a century-old Quaker organization dedicated to peace and equality, has launched its first-ever Hispanic celebrity PSA and publicity campaign, “Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger.”

The bilingual, nonpartisan campaign represents a cultural awakening across the Latino creative community. For the first time, some of the most influential names in film, music, and media are aligning to uplift the dignity of immigrants, celebrate their contributions, and push back against divisive narratives with truth and pride.

A New Era of Latino Leadership

Latino immigrants have long fueled America’s progress—powering industries, enriching culture, and driving innovation. Yet in today’s political climate, fear and misinformation threaten to erase their humanity. AFSC’s campaign responds with compassion and storytelling, led by voices that reflect the very communities under fire.

“Immigrants make our communities stronger—neighbors, coworkers, students, and business owners,” said Brian Minter, AFSC’s Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. “But right now, immigrants are being detained and disappeared, tearing apart families and neighborhoods.”For Mexican-American actor Tonatiuh, the message is deeply personal: “My mother came to this country not knowing the language and without a roadmap. She faced an impossible task and persevered. Our story isn’t unique—it’s the story of countless Americans before us. Immigrants are not a problem to fix; we are the living embodiment of America’s values.”

Cultural Power Meets Social Impact

The campaign’s star lineup reads like a cross-section of Latino excellence: labor legend Dolores Huerta, actors Melissa Barrera, Tonatiuh, and Mishel Prada, Grammy-winning icons Los Tigres Del Norte, Ozomatli’s Wil-Dog Abers, Latin Grammy winner Chiquis, beloved singer Marisela, Univision journalist Daniela Ganoza, and radio personalities Don Cheto and Said Garcia Solis.

“Immigrants aren’t just part of America’s story; they are central to its success,” said Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers. “The people being targeted are not just immigrants; they are the indigenous people of these continents. People are being harassed because of the color of their skin—it’s ethnic cleansing.”

Melissa Barrera, who has built a thriving Hollywood career while staying true to her Mexican roots, echoed the urgency: “As a proud Mexican actress working and living in the U.S., I’ve seen the strength and beauty that immigrants bring. We are not outsiders; we are an integral part of the fabric of the United States.”

Mishel Prada added, “Immigration is the heartbeat of American culture. Nothing great here was built alone. We’re all living proof of someone else’s courage to start again.”

The Numbers Tell the Story

• Entrepreneurship: Latino immigrants represent 52% of all Latino-owned employer businesses, employing 3 million workers nationwide.
  
• Economic Growth: Latino-owned businesses grew by 44% between 2018 and 2023, far outpacing their non-Latino peers.
  
• Tax Impact: Immigrants contributed $579 billion in U.S. taxes in 2022, including $96.7 billion from undocumented immigrants.
  
• Essential Work: Over 500,000 Hispanic immigrants power U.S. agriculture, and Latinos make up one in four workers across the food and service industries.
  

Culture, Courage, and Community

Running through the end of the year, AFSC’s “Immigrants Make Our Communities Stronger” campaign will appear across broadcast, digital, and social media platforms. The storytelling-driven effort highlights resilience, family, and cultural pride—core values that define the Latino experience in America.

By leveraging their platforms, Latino stars are not only raising awareness but reasserting leadership in shaping the national narrative on immigration. What emerges is a shared call to action: to recognize immigrants not as strangers, but as the heart of America’s story.

To learn more about the campaign, visit https://afsc.org/stronger-immigrants.

The post Latino Celebrities Lead a Cultural Awakening to Empower Immigrant Communities first appeared on .

Oscar®-winning director Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Beauty and the Beast) returns to the musical genre with a dazzling, Technicolor reimagining of Kiss of the Spider Woman—a visually stunning and emotionally resonant adaptation of Manuel Puig’s groundbreaking 1976 novel and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Terrence McNally, John Kander, and Fred Ebb (Cabaret, Chicago).

Set within the confines of a South American prison, the story follows Valentín (Luna), a political dissident, and Molina (Tonatiuh), a flamboyant window dresser jailed for indecency. As the two cellmates form a surprising bond, Molina escapes into vivid retellings of a glamorous Hollywood musical featuring his favorite screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez). Through fantasy and shared vulnerability, their connection deepens—blurring the line between illusion and survival.

Written and directed by Condon, the three film stars bring a lot of talent and recognition to the project. Emmy® nominee Luna (Andor, Y Tu Mamá También), rising star Tonatiuh (Carry On, Promised Land), and Lopez, the Emmy®, Grammy®, and Golden Globe-nominated icon (Hustlers, Out of Sight), who also executive produces alongside Luna.

Produced by Barry Josephson, p.g.a., Tom Kirdahy, p.g.a., and Greg Yolen, p.g.a., Kiss of the Spider Woman promises to be a sweeping cinematic experience where fantasy, passion, and resistance collide. Kiss of the Spider-Woman is an Artists Equity and Mohari Media presentation and a Josephson Entertainment, Tom Kirdahy, Greg Yolen and Nuyorican production. Executive producers include Bill Condon, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Mark Scheinberg, Dani Bernfeld, Kevin Halloran, Michael Joe, Mickey Liddell, Pete Shilaimon, Whitney Williams, Jennifer Lopez, Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Courtney Baxter, Diego Luna, D. Matt Geller, Pamela Thur, Sam Weisman, Daniel Weisman and Margaux Weisman.

The post A Peek at The ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman” first appeared on .