Empowering Communities with Kimberly Vasquez: Bridging the Digital Divide and Youth Activism in Baltimore
Step into the world of creativity and imagination with 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, led by your host, Rob Lee. Our guest today is Kimberly Vasquez, a prominent student activist and daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, who hails from Baltimore, Maryland. During her time at City College, she demonstrated exceptional leadership within SOMOS (Students Organizing a Multicultural and Open Society), advocating for fair academic opportunities for ESOL students, a safe school reopening, and a moratorium on standardized testing. Amid the pandemic, Kimberly tirelessly worked to bridge the digital divide in Baltimore, addressing the lack of high-speed internet access in Black and Latinx households, and impacting children's education. Her public testimony resulted in $3 million being allocated to Baltimore Schools for devices and internet access. Kimberly's advocacy led Comcast to double Internet Essentials speeds for low-income subscribers nationwide, influencing over 1 million people. Her efforts garnered national recognition, featuring in The New York Times, Reuters, and The Washington Post. Now a first-year student at Goucher College, Kimberly continues her impactful work as an activist and a champion for educational equity.
During this session:
- Explore the impact of SOMOS, a student-led organization tackling systemic injustices in schools and the Baltimore community.
- Learn about Kimberly and SOMOS' advocacy efforts, fighting for increased internet speeds for low-income families during the pandemic.
- Delve into the importance of youth participation in decision-making and how it drives positive change in communities.
- Discover the power of collaboration with existing organizations and city officials in amplifying youth voices.
- Uncover Kimberly's hidden talents and her passion for soccer and listening to rapper Anati Holtz.
Join us for a captivating episode as Kimberly shares her background and interest in working within the Baltimore community. She discusses the work she has done to address the digital divide during the pandemic, including advocating for increased internet speeds for low-income families. Kimberly emphasizes the importance of youth participation in decision-making and shares tips for getting involved in community activism. She also highlights the vibrant culture of Baltimore and recommends visiting Luchadoras, a local restaurant, as a must-try experience.
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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:
- Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
- Edited by Daniel Alexis
- Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor
Photos:
- Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
- Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.
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