In this episode of Metropolis Rising, we're thrilled to welcome Lilian "Lili" Jimenez, an attorney and advocate fighting for greater justice and equity in public policy. With a wealth of experience in direct services, community organizing, and policy advocacy, Lili is dedicated to promoting the rights of immigrant populations and communities of color.

Lili's work focuses on ensuring that government and non-profit programs genuinely serve the needs of their communities. She's been a passionate advocate for immigration rights, health justice, workers’ rights, and criminal justice reform. Her impressive career includes leadership positions with Workers United (an SEIU affiliate), the Illinois Department of Labor, the Illinois Office of Immigrant & Refugee Services, and more.

Now, Lili is running to represent Illinois’ 4th District in the State House of Representatives. Join us as we explore her inspiring journey and vision for a more equitable future.

We apologize in advance for an audio glitch that arose during the episode.

In this episode of Metropolis Rising, we sit down with Victoria "Vicki" Cervantes, a dedicated activist with a lifetime of experience fighting for justice. Vicki's journey began in high school during the civil rights and anti-war movements of the Vietnam era. For decades, she has been a pillar of Chicago's Mexican community, advocating for community and labor rights.

After the military coup in Honduras in June 2009, Vicki co-founded the Honduras Solidarity Network and now serves as its North American coordinator. She regularly travels to Honduras, supports campesino and indigenous communities, engages with the broader resistance movement, and works as a human rights observer. Join us as we delve into Vicki's inspiring story and her unwavering commitment to social justice.

In this episode, we feature the incredible Latinx artist Martin Sorrondeguy, also known as Martin Crudo. You might know Martin as the founding member, lead vocalist, and lyricist of the legendary Latinx hardcore punk band Los Crudos. The band's powerful lyrics spoke to the Latinx experience in the US and resonated with popular struggles across Latin America, making waves worldwide.

Growing up in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, the heart of the city's Mexican community, Martin's musical journey began in the '90s. Since then, he's gone on to other unique projects, like the queercore punk band Limp Wrist and his latest venture, a solo electronic dance music project called NRRRV. As if that weren't enough, Martin is also a talented photographer.

Please tune in to hear his inspiring story and the incredible impact he's had on the music scene and beyond.

Welcome to the first episode of Metropolis Rising. We start our first episode with a conversation with Maya Schenwar. Maya is the driving force behind the social justice news website TruthOut, serving as its editor-in-chief.

In this episode, Maya opens up about her sister Keeley, who sadly passed away at the age of 29. She shares Keeley's struggles with drug addiction, her experiences with the prison system from the age of 14, and the incredible strength Keeley showed in the face of adversity, including giving birth to her first child while incarcerated.

Maya is no stranger to the world of prison reform. As an activist journalist, she's penned numerous essays and books on the topic, including her latest, "Prison By Any Other Name." Please listen to her unique insights and the inspiring legacy of Keeley's resistance against a harsh system.