ICYMI: María Teresa Kumar Announces 2025 Our Voices Honorees on MSNBC’s “The Weekend”
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On MSNBC’s “The Weekend”, President and Co-Founder of the Voto Latino Foundation María Teresa Kumar, made a surprise announcement on air—announcing two of our 2025 Our Voices honorees: Alicia Menendez and Eugene Daniels.
For over 17 years, the Voto Latino Foundation has proudly honored journalists, creators, and changemakers who are shaping a media landscape that truly reflects the diversity of America. From newsroom leaders to on-air voices and behind-the-scenes strategists, these individuals have broken barriers, challenged stereotypes, and elevated stories that too often go untold.
In her announcement, María Teresa Kumar emphasized the importance of bringing our communities into national conversations through journalism—especially at a time when journalism is under attack.
“What we’re facing right now in America has never happened before. We’re seeing an assault on a multicultural America—and your voices, your representation, are needed more than ever. We are thrilled at Voto Latino to recognize both of you.”
Through her fierce curiosity and compassion, Alicia Menendez amplifies voices that deserve to be heard, while challenging us to see the full complexity of our communities.
In response to being named an honoree for this year’s Our Voices award, Menendez reflected on the urgency of storytelling and her deep commitment to it:
“It is a dangerous time to do what we do. I think we’re also the ones who are clearest about the fact that the stakes have never been higher for the communities we come from. As challenging as this moment can be for us… I am always thinking of them—and I know you are too—when we do this work, to make sure their voices are in rooms they’re not in and at tables they don’t sit at.”
Eugene Daniels’ reporting has redefined how the inner workings of Washington, D.C., are covered—bringing brilliance and nuance to every story he tells.
At a time of growing uncertainty in an ever-changing media landscape, Daniels reflected on the responsibility of using his platform with intention:
“We are lucky in that there’s a veneer of protection, right? It allows us to tell the truth, to look for the truth when others try to hide it. And just like you, I’m always thinking of the people who can’t do that—who, if they speak out, it’s round-up time. That’s what fuels me.”
The Our Voices award celebrates those who not only represent their communities with authenticity, but who use their platforms to broaden the public narrative—bringing nuance, equity, and inclusion to the center of national conversation. This year’s honorees will be recognized and celebrated during the Voto Latino Foundation’s annual Our Voices Gala in Washington, D.C., on April 25th.
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Voto Latino is a civic advocacy organization dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of Latino voters while working to build a more inclusive and representative democracy. Since its founding, Voto Latino has registered nearly two million voters. In 2024, the organization took legal action to protect voting rights, filing multiple lawsuits in Texas, Arizona, and North Carolina to safeguard access to the ballot ahead of the elections.