From a young age, Antonio was fascinated by stories—those of his family, community, and Latino history. While working as a video editor at a local news station in Bakersfield, a final photography assignment led him to the César Chávez National Monument, a place that would change his career’s trajectory.
As Antonio walked through the César Chávez National Monument, taking photographs of the site where Chávez is buried, he was met by a profound sense of connection. It wasn’t just the quiet reverence of the place; it was the history behind it that drew Antonio to the site. “It felt very peaceful; it felt like home.” After meeting a site staff member, he decided to apply to the MANO Project, a Hispanic Access Foundation program dedicated to connecting, building, and developing young leaders of color who share a passion for serving and strengthening their communities. Antonio then found himself returning to the place that resonated with him deeply, but this time as part of the team.
At the César Chávez National Monument, Antonio collects, organizes, and preserves oral histories—testimonies from those who had lived through the farm worker movement and the environmental struggles that defined Chávez’s activism. However, his work extended beyond the archives; it became a platform for educating younger generations about the ongoing significance of Chávez’s work. One of the most impactful aspects of Antonio’s role has been organizing educational events for Latino students.
“The best thing ever has been meeting kids and inspiring them.” For many of these students, obtaining these types of opportunities is transformative. He explained how important it is for Latino youth to see themselves represented in spaces that celebrate their history.
One of his experience’s highlights has been receiving high school students as part of the National Geographic-funded project 2892 Miles to Go, an exploration opportunity to develop their own stories about environmental justice in the Central Valley. The program began at Cesar E. Chávez National Monument, where Antonio helped inspire the young storytellers to reflect on the legacy of Chávez through a photographic storytelling workshop and advocate for environmental health issues affecting their communities, including those of Arvin, Weedpatch, and Lamont.
Antonio has helped bring locals to the monument, teaching them not only about Chávez’s role in the farmworker movement but also his lesser-known work as an environmental justice advocate. For Antonio, these events are not just educational; they are deeply personal, and many of the students he meets come from families who continue to do the same labor today. Antonio strives to transmit pride in their roots, their families, and the contributions of Latino farmworkers to American society.
Through the one-year fellowship facilitated by Hispanic Access Foundation, he solidified his commitment to preserving and sharing Latino history. He recently accepted a full-time role at the National Chavez Center, where he continues his work as an archival assistant. Through his work, Antonio honors the legacy of César Chávez and the countless farmworkers whose labor and sacrifices have shaped the landscapes of the Central Valley.
Read the Spanish version here.