 Okay, great. Welcome everyone. We're so glad you're here. Welcome to our guests that are watching either on the Zoom webinar or on YouTube. This recording, this program will also be recorded, so we encourage you to rewatch and share as much as you can. My name is Christina and I'm a librarian here for San Francisco Public Library. Thank you so much for joining us today. We're thrilled that you're here to celebrate with us. We are actually celebrating Viva. This is our annual celebration of Latinx heritage cultures and traditions. As you probably know, San Francisco has a very rich Latinx heritage that is highlighted in a diverse array of exciting programs for all ages. We have Spanish bilingual story times. We've had cooking classes, author talks and illustrator talks like tonight, and also cultural presentations. So we thank you so much for celebrating with us. Bienvenidos a todos. So today is a gorgeous beautiful exclamation point to the end of our Latinx heritage month celebration. We do know that we celebrate this cultures and heritages from all over Latin America and also here in the US every month throughout the year. But this is our very special annual time when we put an extra special highlight on our heritages as Latinx people. Please check out the Viva web page of the San Francisco Public Library. You could see all the events that have happened and also great book lists that support and celebrate the authors of Latinx heritage, the authors and the illustrators and so much more. So be sure to check out our website and check out the chat for the link there. Before we start, we want to go ahead and acknowledge that we are on the unseeded and ancestral homeland of the Ramatush alone, who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco peninsula. And we recognize that they continue to live, work and play here today. As the indigenous stewards of this land in accordance with their traditions, the Ramatush alone have never ceded, lost nor forgotten their responsibilities as the caretakers of this place, as well for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the ancestors, elders and relatives of the Ramatush community, and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples. We also want to thank the friends of the San Francisco Public Library for their generous support of this entire program series, both the Viva and all our cultural themes are supported by the friends to find out more check out friends of San Francisco Public Library to support. And we just simply couldn't do this without them. Thank you so much. So without further ado, I want to introduce our amazing presenters tonight. Tonight's program is very special. We have some incredible Bay Area champions, artists, artivists, Leticia Hernandez and Robert Lucho Rio. They are longtime Bay Area artists and activists. They're here today to share their process of working together on the Rise Home Stories project, which created Alejandria Fights Back, La Lucha de Alejandria. Please join nine year old Alejandria as she fights to save her neighborhood in this bilingual Spanish English picture book, which centers youth activism amidst housing insecurity and gentrification. Sound familiar? I think so. This is a book for everyone. This is a universal story and one that really speaks to La Lucha that's been happening in our neighborhoods here in urban cities, not only in San Francisco, Oakland, Bay Area, but throughout our nation. I want to let you know that great news. This book is currently available through SFPL via Hoopla. Hoopla is a super easy app that you can download onto your mobile device. The best thing about Hoopla is that you get to have the book instantaneously on your phone or your device. You don't have to wait. So check out Hoopla and give us a call if you need some help with downloading that, but it's super easy. So without further ado, let me go ahead and introduce our amazing presenters. First, the author of the book. Leticia Hernandez-Linares is a bilingual interdisciplinary writer and artist and racial justice educator. The first generation US born daughter of Salvadoran immigrants. She is the author of Mucha Muchacha, Too Much Girl. All of her creative and educational work incorporates storytelling and art, important tools for celebrating culture and community. Get this y'all. She has lived on the same block in the Mission District of San Francisco for 25 years. That doesn't happen without Mucha. She works to preserve the spirit and history of her neighborhood along with her two artivist sons and her neighbors and community. Please follow her on Twitter at Join Leticia. And joining her, I'd like to introduce the illustrator of this book. Robert Lutrujillo is a lifelong Bay Area resident. Born in Oakland, California, he is a child of student activists who watch lots of science fiction, Trekkie in the house here, and took him, that took him to many demonstrations. Always drawing, Rob grew up to be an artist falling in love with graffiti, fine art, illustration, murals and children's books. Through storytelling, he's been able to scratch the surface of so many untold stories. He's also the author and illustrator for cons first flat top, a book I personally love and we were so glad to be able to bring Rob and that book. When that first book got published to many of our libraries. So please learn more about Rob at work dot rob don't stop calm. And let's give them a warm, warm, warm SFPL welcome to our presenters take it away, let me see Rob. Thank you. Thank you. Hey, y'all. What's happening in Benito. Hello, me and let these are going to read the book and trade off and we hope you enjoy. Am I up. Can you see it, let this year. I cannot. Should be up there. I just see a white screen. Okay. I can also try that. Okay, how about now. Yep. There it is. This is the cover of Alejandra fights back. And I'm going to take you to the first page. This book is published by a feminist press and Carla Espana, Dr Carla Espana translating it. And it is a product of rise home stories project. Okay, take it away. Oh, shoot. I mean, not that there's anything wrong with that. But, and see, we agreed we're going to do it in English. So rewind, replay the tape. Welcome to Parkwood. This is my home. Home isn't just our apartment. It's the whole neighborhood. Our neighbors come from all over the world. Mommy and my grandmother, Tita, our family carawa, and I was born right here. I like to draw the people and places in our barrio. This is from the bakery where Tita gets her pickles. I miss Alicia from the flower stand with her little dogs, Wendy, and Mr. Amir waving from his corner store. One time he hung a drawing of mine in the store window. Tita and mommy were really tired. I'm outside. Mr. Amir is finishing my Raspada when I hear someone shout. It's my best friend Edgar. He was visiting his grandma and Guatemala and it feels like he's been gone forever. What did I miss? Edgar asks. It's been a long summer, I say, and launch into the story of how we almost lost our home. It was the first day of summer vacation and I was walking with Tita. She stopped to chat with Ms. Bethes. I ran ahead so I could play with Duende. I tripped and knocked over a sign. Ms. Alicia came running. Ale, are you all right? I look at this. Another for sale sign. Ms. Bethes nodded. There's a new one every other day. The next day I heard someone calling my name from down the hall. It was Julian. I walked over to his apartment and saw boxes in the living room. Hey Julian, what's up? He frowned. We're moving. My dad said the landlord raised the rent so we can't stay here anymore. It's too expensive. I felt bad for Julian and wondered, could they do the same thing to us? That night, I went to show Mommy my latest drawing. I found her in the kitchen, stirring it some mail. Look what I made. She seemed upset, like she was having a bad dream. Beautiful, she mumbled and looked back down at the paper. I started having on me, Tita, without feeling a little amped in my belly. Later, while Mommy was getting ready for work, I investigated. I found a piece of paper and in the jumble of words, a few jumped out to me. Rent, increase, 30 days of fiction. Ale! Mommy's voice angry surprised me. Don't look through my stuff. Hot tears filled my eyes. Mommy, what does this mean? Do we have to move too? We'll do what we have to do to survive, Mommy said. But this isn't something you should worry about. I couldn't sleep. I had so many questions. In Tita's stories about Nicaragua, she would always say, when the people in charge tried to bully us and push us out, we got together and pushed back. It all seemed so unfair. I wondered if there was anything I could do. At breakfast, Tita and Mommy argued about the notice. Tita wanted to talk to the landlord's company about the rent, but Mommy seemed nervous. I stared at the leftover milk in my cereal bowl until I couldn't take it anymore. We have to do something! I was shocked by how loud my voice sounded. Yes, I agree, but your mommy is scared, Tita said. We're not here to make trouble, Mommy said. They both looked the same when they're mad. Tita always says, knowledge is power. She took me to the library and we searched for tenants' rights online. I learned that tenants are people like us who pay rent to companies that own buildings. Some landlords care more about money than people, Tita told me. Next, Tita and I went to an organization that helps out tenants like us. Our building is full of families who have lived there for a long time, Tita explained to the nice organizer. She had some of the coolest hair I'd ever seen. This isn't just happening to you. The company owns a bunch of buildings in the neighborhood and they're trying to kick out a lot of people. The thought of all our neighbors having to move made my head hurt. You need to get your neighbors together, the nice organizer said, and fight as a group. I began to imagine us all as superheroes. As Tita and I were leaving, the organizer handed us a poster for a tenants meeting at City Hall later that week. Tita, this is how we can get everyone together, I said. Tita smiled. That's the spirit alle. Back home, Mommy didn't want to hear about it. If we break the rules, things will only get worse. She sounded frustrated, but also sad. Yeah, you know landlords break the rules all the time, Tita responded. She sounded sad too. The next day, Tita and I knocked on our neighbor's doors and handed out flyers. I'd drawn for the, sorry, handed out flyers, I'd drawn for the meeting. Some neighbors seem nervous or even scared. When we knocked on Julian's door, I handed him a flyer while his dad watched quietly. The company has done this before, I said. They raised the rent so tenants have to move or they kicked him out. Then they sell the building for a lot of money. But we can fight this if we go to the meeting. Julian nodded. I guess it is important to know our rights. Maybe, maybe we wouldn't be moving if we'd known. Yes, so will you speak at the meeting? I asked. Julian's dad cleared his throat. We will if you do. My mouth felt open. Me, I'm only nine. Tita chimed in. You're never too young to speak up, Tita. When we got to City Hall, I felt major or maybe he does in my belly. All our neighbors were there and they were fired up. Tita comforted me, standing up for you for what you believe in is scary, but I know you can do it. I heard my name and it was my turn to speak. My face looked like a bright red tomato as I walked to the microphone. Then I noticed mommy in the crowd. I forgot what I wanted to say, so I held up my drawing of the neighborhood. My name is Alejandria and I was born right here in Parkwood. I want to show you that our home is not just our apartment, but our whole neighborhood. Mommy, Tita, Julian, Ms. Beatriz, Mr. Amir, Ms. Alicia Duende. We're like a big family and we want to stay here. Like my Tita says, everyone should have a place to call home, no matter how much money they have. I hope you can make a law about that. When I finished, I saw that mommy was crying and smiling at the same time. Mommy hugged me hard. Ale, I'm sorry. I focus on work and worry a lot because it's hard to be an immigrant. Not everyone likes us. Mommy had never told me this before, but I'm proud of how brave and strong you were today. Tita joined our hugs, she looked at mommy, and I'm proud of you for showing up. As I finished my story, Edgar stares at me, shaking his head. I can't believe you spoke at City Hall, Ale. You're like famous. Thanks, I say with a smile. Come on, let's go. Where to, Edgar asks. The neighborhood potluck. It's our new tradition. I had japed for the best lettuce cake. Tita shops to get our attention. We have a special guest. Councilperson Brown is here. He speaks in a serious voice. I want to thank you all for participating in the meeting. Suddenly he looked straight at me. Oh wait, I forgot we have a voice for Councilperson Brown, so let me rewind the tape again. I want to thank you all for participating in the meeting. Suddenly he looked straight at me. We were especially impressed by our youngest speaker ever, Alejandra. People started clapping and I feel, start clapping and I feel my face burning up. Mr. Brown continues. I came here to tell you personally that we're working on new rent rules to protect tenants like you. Not just in your neighborhood, but across the city, so that everyone can stay in their homes. We all cheer. Yay! I hear mommy's voice behind me. Gracias, hija, she says. I turn and see that she has her special dish of gallo pinto. What for, mommy? For showing me that if we speak up, we can change things. And if you're ever in the barrio, I will welcome you and show you all the special people and places that make up our big family. Yay! C.N. Santan. So if you get the book from the library, you can look at the back and see a glossary of words in English and Spanish. You can, there's a lot of back and forth with the language so you can learn some of these words. And then there's a little bit that shows the website where you can learn more, especially if you're someone going through this resources and then about me and Leticia and the rise home stories project. So that's it. Thank you both so much. Oh my gosh, can we give them all snaps and claps. We were getting a lot of love through the chat. So I just want to invite our attendees, if you want to ask a question of our presenters, go ahead and put it in the question and answer little box. Or you can also just throw it in the chat and, you know, we'd be happy to answer any questions. Rob, did you have some process shots that you wanted to show us too? Yeah, I'll share it now. Awesome, awesome. So as, as Rob does this, you might think about things that you want to ask them about their creative process together about the rise home stories project. There's so much context that I'm sure we could learn even more about. So this is the, at the beginning of the process, this was actually the first spread of the book but it got switched around later. So this is the neighborhood. And this is just pencil drawing and then this is what it looks like when it's painting with watercolor. And here's some, some more sketches. So yeah, that's just some, some of the process behind. Thank you so much Rob. I guess one question that comes to mind for me is, where did you draw inspiration for your images? You know, of communities coming together and for you too, Leticia, you know, where, are there real life stories that I'm sure you've experienced that, you know, this all, all the, that the inspiration came from? Well, for the images, the team both, both me and Leticia, you know, drew from images of like the mission district or at least that's what I was thinking of image wise. And I think it comes through in the writing to like some of the things that we experienced if you live in the neighborhood or if you've been to the neighborhood. And then we work with people from all over the US. So I tried to sprinkle things image wise from a lot of different places. Yeah, that was the challenge and the excitement for me of, you know, I think if I was doing this all on my own, it would have been totally focused on the mission unabashedly so right. But the great part was to be able to write something that many different communities and kids could see themselves relating to not in a totally universal way but you know, in an inclusive way, because so many people are dealing with this issue, and also recognizing you know, the different landscapes and different neighborhoods across the country. And because we were part of a national club, but is like Rob said, but definitely through my many decades of work, you know, as an artist and educator and volunteer and as a mother and having dealt with this issue myself, and watching many neighbors and organizations struggle with it. Even this week, a long time, amazing artists, activists, home, you know, housing rights activists and family is fighting during this time when so many people are, you know, facing and it's a huge eviction crisis still this is not, this is nothing that's going away anytime soon, despite how many know how much increase there's been and how folks on you know just all around, all around me. But I thought there was a lot of inspiration, but also, you know, like Rob explains about his drawings you kind of pull from different things and then you create somebody totally new, like out of hand, yeah, it was so cool to meet her. Yes, we're so glad that she's now part of our, our literary universe, you know, and as actually as you were reading the story I was thinking about another book, not a picture story but as a librarian of course I have to be like thank you for including the library there as like a place for resources and learning about tenants rights. I'm not sure if either of you're familiar with from the desk of Zoe Washington. I'm reading it now. It's so good and it's like just that parallel of, you know, where the adults, you know, no fault of their own but they're just trying to protect their young ones from the harshness, you know, of, of society and kind of in a similar way. So Zoe finds her way through the library to find out, you know, about really connect with her, her dad who's been incarcerated so I just love that Alejandra and Tita get to use the library as a resource so we appreciate that. And I just recognize that you're getting some love, love, love, love, Mucha Muchacha from Bill and, and also Roberta Chavez says, Leticia your laugh is the best and your book is the best so you've got your fans here loving you. And April is wondering, Leticia that she's familiar or they're familiar with your poetry, how did you decide to do a youth focus book, and also happy late birthday. Yeah, I went on and on about my birthday this year and I'm not sorry. So I appreciate everyone being good for it because the Libras were a little mad, they were like, really still really I'm like yep. So thank you April that's really sweet and yeah you know I've actually wanted to do a children's book for a long time and started to do. I had a couple of projects that I had never returned to and finished when I worked with children's book press. And I'm just, you know, it's just been a windy journey between my community work, and then finally on green down and getting a book done full collection of poetry. And, and really it was because what really helped me get it done was that there was a project that needed a writer and did a call. So Rob and I, you know, we had to apply and it was a competitive process to be selected to do full, you know, sort of see this vision through. And when it was about what it was about, which is basically what I write and make art around for forever. It was, it was so natural. So I got lucky that my first experience and I do have other ideas for other books, but it was great and also working with Rob know each other for a while and I learned a lot from working with him and sort of. Hey, less words the drawing can tell the story to very much back and forth process of learning yes. That's fantastic because you know I don't know if he knows but for like picture books, a lot of times, the illustrator and the writers don't actually get to collaborate it's just you know there's a manuscript in the illustration right. So the fact that this is just like a powerhouse collaboration. Any time I feel like there's connections between SF and Oakland it just warms my heart so we're just so glad that Alexandria is is now part of our world. Any other surprise. Are there any surprises that you all encountered in in working together, you know, in this going through this creative process that you want to share with our audience. We know. Oh, go ahead. No, go ahead. I don't know if it was a surprise but what you just said I hadn't I had kind of taken for granted that I did know that you don't always get to work with illustrated the way we did. But I think like that was such an important part of it for me, kind of spoiled me a little bit, but so it also helped me let go of the words, because I'd be like, Oh, I really love that metaphor the editor was like, Oh, it hurts. Then I was able to like let it go. Oh, look at how beautiful the drawing in, you know, and so I don't know just that I did it to be honest with you, I've been wanting to do it for so long and I think that's also a little bit of a block so with, you know, I am a person who drives and needs and feeds off of community and collaboration. So for me, not so much as a surprise, but so grateful to have been able to do this as part of this amazing community, you know. Yeah, I was just going to say like, I think something surprising was like how we were able to pull it off because it was just so many people, people who are actually like organizers on the ground and us as creatives coming in and having also some thoughts about, you know, these experiences as well. It was really a unique experience. That's fantastic. You know, I know that you've been bringing this to schools and connecting with teachers I'm just curious, because obviously and we, you know, I think April earlier in the chat said, I'm just so glad that there's a youth centered book about this topic. What kind of hopes or dreams that you have for how, you know, people adults, you know, we'll use this and in connection with young folks, either teachers or parents. Well, I think one of the, so you know, there was a core group in this sort of larger national collaborative there was a core group that works on the specific projects right. And we started by visiting right it was like we want to, we want to put a narrative out there that shows that advocacy and self determination is possible and impactful right and that youth are capable of that right and that's some of the basic tenets of this sort of like liberatory education right is and this community organizing that the people have it within themselves to make change. But then that takes getting through the fear right the fear of getting in trouble, like mommy does in the book, a fear of like just wanting to stay below the radar, and many of us renters know what that's like in San Francisco like I can deal with that. George thought the fall over today they hate nobody, you know just nothing call the landlord, and or other examples. And so I think there are a lot of times people say like April, like, how do you talk about your child with this right and having had to. I've learned, you know, through many instances with the schools and whatnot about children are no much more than we think they do and and don't need us to shelter them but to give them resources and avenues to talk things out and and remove the boundaries of what can be done and what can be done. So, yeah, so that Alejandra going up to the mic is actually actually happened in your life, you know, yeah. Yeah, I would just say that, especially in the kid that world I've definitely heard in people in the past say you know kids aren't ready for this or it's going to be too much but as we've seen throughout the process of making this book and reading it to kids and people are not are not only ready for it but have been experiencing it for a long time and it's like, whereas it whereas it's been, you know, and with the rise home stories project luckily they're, they're working on other ways to talk about this as well through, you know, animated animation, gaming and podcast so this multiple things to really engage people about this topic. That's great can't wait to see what else comes out of that. And, you know, we got some fans who are just like super excited about you two in particular working together so curious if you two have any things percolating of what you would still, you know, what might be next for you both either individually but I think our audience wants to hear if there's any way that this dynamic duo does something again together. We need the people to give us the money. It will be awesome it will be awesome to do something. Leticia you have anything coming up though for you on yourself. Um, yeah I just want to do that but yes I mean people seem to like that's not the first time people have asked so you know, there's a lot of possibilities but since we do such similar themed work right. I just received an arts commission grant for venturing out again for a YA novel in birth. Yeah. I know let's celebrate the grad because I haven't started writing the book yet. It'll come it'll come. I'm very excited about it because another thing I've been wanting to do for a long time is share this incredible figure Prudencia Yala the first woman to run for president in the Americas from Santa Ana Salvador which several family members of mine are from with the world and she's someone who will she'll be a character in this in this conversation between these different female characters so I'm super excited about that. That is incredible. Yes, yes, thank you for funding artists. Wow. Of course our whole kid lit YA lit brains are just like yes please we need that. If there are you know we I think we've had a really good conversation here and I'm curious. You know we probably have some viewers either who are either tuning in right now or will in the future who are young folks right so like any advice if you're speaking directly to young writers or artists some things that you want to leave with them before we say farewell. Well I would say if people say to you that no one understands that or we never heard that before or I don't get it. Then you know you're onto something. So, you know right and draw and all of that with your with your full heart and do what really speaks to you. Beautiful. And I would say for writing. It's important to to practice it because it's like something that you need to do over and over and you know just like drawing right like you erase you start a new page you do draft the same with writing. And so sometimes you know I have a line that comes to my head and then I just write it down in a journal. So like just writing down ideas drawing your thoughts can all help you like generate ideas. Practice makes not perfect but better. Words to live by for both from both of you. There is a request that let me see I can't finish this without singing so no said do we have to have a karaoke moment to finish this off. You know, I'm about I was at my own birthday party one of the one of 10 of them and poet extraordinaire Danny Lam was like, let's see. Yeah, like I was just like, wait, I can't remember my party like Well, I will be part of the San Francisco friends of the public library after coming up in a few weeks. So you're going to have to earn it. You're going to have to come out in person and then April you find me out all you a song so Yes, thank you for that plug to and we hope to see there. What did you say Rob. I said she's about to show up with a camera crew. Yeah. Okay you says you define you record it. Oh, well I just want to thank you both so much for putting your heart and soul into this honestly. We're so so happy that Alexandria is is a character that is, you know, while fictional, the embodiment of so many young people taking to the mic I think that that is for me like the most powerful moment when you she's just up there and speaking her truth and then getting to tell that to her buddy. And he's like you're famous and it's like yes you know you are and you're making change in your community so it makes me kind of weepy here so thank you so much for what you put down on the paper, both in paint and words, it really really matters and we thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you for seeing her for having us. Yes, thank you everyone and help put this together. It's funny I don't get tired of reading and have a lot of you like. Yes, and, and for our audience here thank you so much for being with us please share this share this with anybody, anybody and everybody so that they can get to know not only Alexandria but leticia and Rob and the right the. project the rise home stories project yes. So folks, we want to just thank you so much for joining us today if you love today's program check out our program offerings on our calendar on our website. Many more opportunities to engage in cultural programs like this, even though this is the end of Latinx Heritage Month here at the library, we know that that continues all year long. We are also moving into because it's October, we're moving into Filipino American History Month so as someone who is both Chicana and Filipino. I'm loving this crossover that we're experiencing right now so check out our offerings for those programs on sfpl.org. That's it everyone take good care of yourselves stay safe, we then say and we hope to see you at another library program or inside a library soon. Thank you. See ya. Thank you.