Wake County Legislators Engage Directly with Latino Community in Bilingual Civic Conversation
El Centro Hispano, in collaboration with Enlace Latino NC, successfully hosted a bilingual community conversation with Wake County legislators on Wednesday evening, creating a space for civic dialogue, community engagement, and public education ahead of the legislative session.
The event brought together community members and North Carolina state legislators, including Rep. Sarah Crawford, Rep. Tim Longest, and Sen. Lisa Grafstein, for an open and nonpartisan discussion focused on issues currently impacting Latino families and communities across the state. Mentioning that the invitation was extended to all Wake County legislators.
Moderated by Mariana Rocha-Goldberg and Claudia Rivera, the conversation provided attendees with the opportunity to hear directly from legislators about current legislative priorities, ask questions, and engage in dialogue about policies affecting their daily lives.
Topics discussed during the event included healthcare access and Medicaid coverage for immigrant families, proposed changes to early voting periods in North Carolina, bipartisan legislative efforts during the short session, education funding and school voucher programs, immigration enforcement and proposed ICE detention centers in the state, veto overrides, and state budget priorities.
Community members were encouraged to participate actively throughout the conversation by asking questions and sharing concerns directly with elected officials. The event also included educational information about the role and responsibilities of state legislators and the structure of the North Carolina General Assembly to help community members better understand the legislative process.
“We are grateful to the legislators who joined this important conversation and to the community members who participated with thoughtful questions and engagement,” said Pilar Rocha-Goldberg, President and CEO of El Centro Hispano. “Creating accessible spaces for dialogue helps strengthen civic participation and ensures our communities feel informed, heard, and represented.”
Paola Jaramillo, CEO of Enlace Latino NC, emphasized the importance of continuing to create bilingual and accessible civic engagement opportunities for Latino families across North Carolina.
“At Enlace Latino NC, we believe information and access are essential for community empowerment,” said Jaramillo. “This conversation allowed families to better understand legislative issues while also ensuring their voices and experiences were part of the discussion.”
The event reaffirmed both organizations’ commitment to fostering nonpartisan civic participation and strengthening communication between elected officials and the Latino community in North Carolina.
