Cynthia Martinez on LinkedIn: Monday night was an impactful night in Michigan as we screened the First… (2024)

Join me for a night of community, diverse voices, and higher education empowerment on August 12th at 6:30 pm at Park Theatre in Holland, Michigan, for a screening of First Voice Generation. This event, in partnership with Latin Americans United for Progress and Holland Public Schools, is the perfect way to kick off the school year. Plus, Schnacktrap will be there serving up some tasty food!🎟️ Tickets are $10 at the door, and students get in FREE! 🤝 Proceeds from ticket sales will support the LAUP ¡Más Adelante! Program👉 You can secure your ticket via this link: https://lnkd.in/gcHHyUjW

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Join me for the First Voice Generation screening on August 12 at 6:30 PM at the Park Theater in Holland, MI! If you missed it during Fiesta, here’s your second chance! Don’t miss out! We are ready to continue our deep conversation about belonging in the Holland community and education equity. We appreciate our community partners Holland Public Schools, Latin Americans United for Progress, and Park Theater Holland. Tickets are $10 at the door and FREE for students.You can purchase your ticket here: https://lnkd.in/gcHHyUjW

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I was deeply honored to share First Voice Generation at Princeton University with the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity. 400 brilliant minded students took part in a screening and community talkback program. Tears were shed, representation was viewed, and shared stories and identity were felt amongst many. Together in community, we celebrated the inspiring journeys of first-gen students with all six programs of EBCAO. Now that is impact! 👏 #firstvoicegeneration #firstgen#impact#trioworks📸 Photos by Ammaar Alam

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Last night was one of the most memorable days of my life, right behind the birth of my children and my wedding day, of course! In my hometown of Holland, Michigan, I screened my educational documentary film, "First Voice Generation," three times at Hope College. After each screening, thoughtful and in-depth community conversations took place about education equity, representation in the classroom, and the need for BIPOC mentors in our schools. Many hugs and tears were shared by community members from diverse backgrounds—race, color, age, and socioeconomic status.Throughout my entire life, I've never felt like I truly belonged in the place where I was born and raised because of the color of my skin, my culture, and my ancestors' origins. For the first time, however, I felt that Holland loved me back. People were willing to listen and open to understanding how to initiate change. I truly believe that change is on its way.I could continue sharing stories, but as they say, the best form of advertising is word of mouth. With that in mind, I would like to share a humbling post I received from a local community member who watched my film for the first time with his wife. Never underestimate the power of a review. It is through shared conversations and the cultivation of inclusive communities that we can truly make a real impact in our world.

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I'm thrilled to invite you to an evening of storytelling and cultural celebration as part of Holland's week long Fiesta!This special event celebrates 60 years of Latino culture and community from July 15-21. It’s an evening of storytelling, advocacy, and cultural celebration honoring Holland’s Latino heritage. First Voice Generation is honored to be part of this incredible event, aligning with our mission to uplift Latinos in the community. There will be three screenings of First Voice Generation, with a ticket price of $10. 100% of the proceeds go to the ¡Más Adelante! scholarship fund, aiding Latin Americans United for Progress college-bound seniors. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. I hope to see you there!📅 Film Screening Date: Monday, July 15 📍 Location: Martha Miller, Fried-Hemenway Auditorium, Holland, MI 🎬 Screening Times: 2 PM, 4 PM, and 6 PM (panel discussion after 6 PM screening)🎟️ Purchase tickets here: https://lnkd.in/g69BUuikThis event is made possible by Hope College, Latin Americans United for Progress and Grand Valley State University

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The Inaugural Michigan Latine Summit: Dismantling Silos Through Unity, was such an impactful day filled with energy and trailblazing ideas. The sense of community was so powerful. I left inspired to keep doing the work that will empower and educate the next generation! I loved seeing so many influential and powerful leaders in the Latine community from across the state of Michigan, especially Andrea Mireles who has been a part of my educational and life journey since my youth. So much work goes into planning, coordinating, and gathering community together. You did that Eduardo Cedillo! To everyone behind the scenes thank you for making this happen Salvador Lopez Jesse M. Bernal, Ph.D. Jose Guadalupe Jimenez Jr. Adnoris Torres Consuela Barber-Lopez Carlos Sanchez, MA Design Poppy Sias-Hernandez Let’s keep Going!

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I had the profound honor of participating in Lehigh University's First Generation College Student Celebration Week. Sharing the film "First Voice Generation" with the Lehigh community was a moving experience. The Q&A session allowed for a deep and meaningful exchange about the challenges and triumphs of first-generation students. I am inspired by the strength and perseverance of these students and grateful for Lehigh's commitment to inclusivity. Thank you, Lehigh University, Joseph Helble, Denise Beautreau, and Dr Henry Odi for celebrating the incredible strength of first-generation college students and fostering a community of support and empowerment.

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A year ago, I had the incredible honor of celebrating First Voice Generation and its contributions to shedding light on first-generation stories at the Mexican-American Film & Television Festival in Los Angeles. I was deeply humbled to receive the 2023 Illustrious Award for ‘Best Director’ for my film "First Voice Generation." I am grateful for the opportunity to share these important stories. “First Voice Generation” follows three Latinx high school students in Holland, Michigan, as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic, virtual learning, and their identities as children of Mexican immigrants, all while dreaming of being the first in their families to attend college. This film is now on a national screening tour at higher education institutions, making a profound impact by highlighting the education gap and promoting equity and accessibility. Thank you to the Los Angeles filmmaking community that made me feel a part of something incredibly special. This was one of the most memorable weekends of my life.Even though my family didn’t have college degrees or a lot of money they taught me work ethic, entrepreneurship, and hustle. I felt God move in my spirit to make a difference for students in my community who look like me and come from the same socioeconomic background as I did. I set out to create what I thought would only be a “video project” but what is NOW a feature-length documentary film called, First Voice Generation. Through the Hope College TRIO Upward Bound program, a program that helped me graduate from high school and get into college. I met several inspiring students with incredible stories and their families. It hit me that I was representing more than just myself and that I did not get here alone.🎥 First Voice Generation will have 3 screenings next at LAUP’S 2024 Fiesta event on July 15th in Holland, Michigan at Martha Miller Center for Global Communication. Click this link for more details: https://lnkd.in/g69BUuik

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Thank you, Davenport University for highlighting the impact of the yearly Latino Youth conference held by ALSAME. As a former student of the Hope College TRIO Upward Bound program, I was honored to share the mission of #FirstVoiceGeneration and my journey as a first generation college student from Holland, MI. My work with Univision News and dedication to social justice through film is aimed at making a real difference, empowering Latinx students to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams of higher education. #TRIOWorksRead more about the 2024 Alsame Youth Conference: https://lnkd.in/gq-PeTA4

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