Who Knew My Late-Night Newsletter Would Lead Me to the White House?

I hope your celebrations are full of love, family, and magic

Last week, I had one of those moments that made me stop and think about how far this journey has taken me. I got to attend the White House holiday party, and for the first time, I was allowed to bring a guest. Of course, I brought my husband. He’s been my rock, my biggest supporter, and the person who believed in Tono Latino’s mission even when I couldn't fully articulate it myself.

As we walked through the halls of the White House together, I couldn’t help but reflect on how it all started. Eight years ago, I decided to pursue something I couldn’t fully explain at the time. All I knew was that I wanted to make politics less overwhelming and help our community understand why their voices matter. For many of us, the U.S. political system feels intimidating. But I was determined to learn and break it all down so that it felt accessible, not impossible.

When I first started, I would stay up until two or three in the morning, writing a daily newsletter in Spanish. I missed bedtime with my daughter most nights except on weekends. My husband never complained; he just encouraged me to keep going. When a mentor told me I needed to start making videos because Latinos consume more video than any other demographic, I was terrified, but I did it anyway. And when another mentor suggested I create more content in English to reach the first- and second-generation Latinos most likely to vote, I shifted gears again.

He was right. Pew Research says Latino citizens in the U.S. prefer their news in English, while about half of Latino immigrants prefer Spanish. Those details are more than just statistics. They’re roadmaps to real connection. They help us understand where our community is, how they consume information, and what resonates with them.

This is why context matters so much. It’s not just about speaking the language; it’s about understanding the culture and showing up in the right way. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve met with groups trying to reach Latino voters, and they are frustrated that their efforts aren’t working.
For example, they will say they used Google Translate to write tweets in Spanish, but nobody engaged. (This is before that whole site went to hell).
That is when I tell them they are going about it the wrong way. It is like showing up at my house on December 25 to celebrate Christmas. They look at me confused, so I explain. If you come to my house on Christmas Day, you’ll think we don’t celebrate Christmas because we are all sleeping. But that is because, in my culture, the big celebration happens on Christmas Eve. We eat a huge meal, open presents, and party until 2 or 3 am!

The same principle applies to reaching Latino voters. You have to know the culture, context, and habits of the people you are trying to connect with. Showing up in the wrong place at the wrong time or speaking in a way that doesn’t resonate won’t work. You have to meet people where they are, not where you assume they should be.

Standing in the White House last week, I felt so much gratitude. I am grateful to my husband, who has supported me through all the long nights and big pivots. I am grateful to my community, who trusts me to help make sense of this messy political system. And I am grateful for the chance to keep building these bridges.

What started as a late-night newsletter has grown into something so much bigger. It’s become a mission to make American politics less intimidating and more accessible for our community. But there’s still so much work to do. With every video, every post, and every connection, we’re showing people that their voice matters and that they have the power to create change.

Con cariño,

P.S. If you’re celebrating the holidays this season, I hope your celebrations are full of love, family, and magic.

Here are some more photos from our visit!