Questlove and America Ferrera talk about the relationship between craft and self, delving into the ways that creators draw upon their own personal experiences and backgrounds. They discuss how America draws upon her own life to create fictional characters, as well as how the characters she plays expand her sense of self. The episode also includes a segment on comedian, filmmaker, and storyteller, Mike Birbiglia, who has made a career of drawing personal material from his own life. Additionally, the episode features a segment exploring why The Balvenie made the unusual decision to blend their own rum as part of their process behind their14-year Caribbean Cask whisky.

I have added 5 HQ/MQ photos of America Ferrera in Philadelphia campaigning for the Harris-Walz campaign on October 7th into our photo gallery.

Click on the preview links below to see all the images added to America Ferrera Source!

America Ferrera joined Deja Foxx to talk about the stakes of this election and Vice President Harris’ New Way Forward to protect reproductive freedom.

I have added 6 HQ/MQ photos of America Ferrera at Arizona State University campaigning for the Harris-Walz campaign on September 27th into our photo gallery.

Click on the preview links below to see all the images added to America Ferrera Source!

America Ferrera, an award-winning actress, director and producer, appeared in Tempe to show support for the Harris-Walz presidential ticket. Student organizations, including Sun Devils for Harris and Young Democrats at ASU, listened to her speak on key ballot issues.

In addition to Ferrera, student speakers and state Rep. Lorena Austin addressed the need for students to encourage their family members and friends to vote. The event on Sept. 27 was held at the Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown where around 100 attendees listened to speakers in the Varsity Ballroom.

“I feel like I’ve been engaged in politics before I ever set foot in front of a camera,” Ferrera said.

Ferrera, who was raised in California, said she first experienced the impact of politics at nine years old when Proposition 187 — a measure she said “allowed public educators to question young children about their immigration status and the status of their families” — was on the state’s ballot.

“You were born in this country, you belong here and no one has the right to make you feel like you don’t,” Ferrera said she heard her mother say. “Don’t let anyone intimidate you.”

From that moment, Ferrera said she felt compelled to involve herself in the democratic process.

“Some of us don’t really have a choice to stay out of politics,” she said. “Politics engages us, and it impacts our lives, whether we want it to or not.”

On the ballot this November is Proposition 314, an initiative that focuses on immigration and border law enforcement. It would allow state judges to order deportations and requiring the usage of E-Verify — a web-based system employers use to determine immigration status — to approve enrollment in financial aid and public welfare programs, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office.

During her speech, Ferrera also spoke about issues like student debt, gun violence and health care, as well as their possible impacts on student voters.

“This election is about you and your futures,” she said. “It’s why I’m here.”

Josh Laggis, a junior studying photography, was one of the speakers before Ferrera. He said that it was important for students to consider their futures, as well as the future of the nation in this election.

“We need leaders like Vice President Harris and Governor Walz in the White House to voice our rights, protect our future and to shape a better path for our country,” Laggis said. “They have our backs, now it’s time for us to have theirs.”

“It’s a now or never moment for the country,” said Analiz Lara-Lopez, a sophomore studying theatre and film and media production. “It’s basically a time where we mainly decide which way do we want our future to go.”

Ferrera also explained that electing leaders isn’t where voter involvement ends, advising people to hold elected officials accountable once they reach office.

“We elect leaders, we hold them accountable, we stay in the conversation, we stay alert, we’re realistic about the impacts to our lives — and we continue to show up,” Ferrera said. “Because that is how we fight, and that is how we win.”

Lara-Lopez said she is pursuing a career as an actress and sees Ferrera as a role model.

“Being a Latina who wants to go into acting, specifically going into film, I grew up watching ‘Ugly Betty’ and ‘The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ and ‘Real Women Have Curves,’ and just seeing her supporting the same thing is awesome,” Lara-Lopez said.

Through recounting her experiences and using her platform as an actress, Ferrera encouraged students to keep supporting the Harris-Walz campaign.

“We’re going to fight for the next 39 days,” Ferrera said. “And when we fight, we win.”

On the same day Ferrera visited Tempe, Vice President Kamala Harris visited Douglas, AZ, located on the U.S.-Mexico border, for a speech regarding border policies.

Arizona has an eligible Latino voting population of nearly 1.3 million — the fourth largest in the country, according to the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute.

Source: The State Press

America Ferrera won an award at the 2024 Imagen Awards for her portrayal of Gloria in Barbie.

Best Supporting Actress-Film
America Ferrera, Barbie (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Grace Hopper Celebration 2024 (GHC 24), the world’s largest gathering of women and nonbinary technologists, will offer attendees opportunities to hear from some of the most highly respected change-makers of our time, from Oct. 8-11, 2024. Held in Philadelphia and virtually, the Celebration will feature a fierce lineup of guest speakers, including artist, activist, producer, philanthropist, and New York Times Best-selling Author, Viola Davis and actor, activist, director, producer, and U.N. Global Goodwill Ambassador for IOM, America Ferrera. These champions of underrepresented communities will discuss a variety of topics, including how to make positive change within your profession and use identity as a superpower.

Organized by AnitaB.org, GHC aims to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry by providing a platform for building relationships; connecting with the larger community; growing technical, career, and culture skills; and celebrating the achievements of women and nonbinary individuals in technology.

“We are thrilled to welcome America Ferrera and Viola Davis to GHC 24,” said Brenda Darden Wilkerson, president and CEO of AnitaB.org. “Their powerful voices and unwavering commitment to advocating for gender and racial equality will provide invaluable insights and inspiration to our community. Their presence will energize and empower our attendees to drive meaningful change and foster an inclusive tech industry.”

America Ferrera

Ferrera will open the plenary session at GHC 24. In a conversation with Wilkerson, she will share learnings from her dynamic career and activism, encouraging attendees to embrace their unique identities and strengths to make a meaningful impact in their communities and professions.

Ferrera is celebrated for her roles in “Ugly Betty,” “Superstore,” and the recent blockbuster “Barbie.” She is also set to make her feature directorial debut with an adaptation of Erika Sánchez’s novel “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.”

Beyond her film and television career, she is a dedicated activist, having co-founded organizations like Poderistas and HARNESS. Ferrera is a founding investor in Angel City Football Club, a National Women’s Soccer League team, and has been recognized for her efforts to leverage art and storytelling to power change. She’s been involved in various initiatives aimed at empowering women and underrepresented communities in all fields.

Spots for GHC 24 are filling up quickly, and women and nonbinary technologists are encouraged to secure theirs as soon as possible. Virtual attendees can look forward to livestreaming all GHC 24 speakers and sessions through the online platform in real time. Click here to choose your participation option and complete the registration process.

For more information about GHC 24, please visit ghc.anitab.org.