damian trujillo: hello, and welcome to "comunidad del valle." i'm damian trujillo, and today the highest-ranking latina in the white house takes on a new role on your "comunidad del valle." ♪♪♪ cc by aberdeen captioning 1-1-800-688-6621 www.abercap.cm

damian: we begin today with the monthly visit by the consulate of mexico in san francisco. with me is ambassador remedios gomez arnau, who is the consul general of the consulate of mexico in san francisco. ambassador, welcome back to "comunidad del valle." remedios gomez arnau: thank you so much. i'm very pleased to be with you and your audience, damian. damian: thank you. thank you for being here. one thing--one of the topics we're going to talk about is whatsapp. and one thing that gets me is when i was in mexico city in 2017 for the big earthquake everybody communicated not via text, not via phone call but via whatsapp. and now you have a new way to make your appointments for the consulado using whatsapp? remedios: yeah, we will have starting may 22nd, and that's very important because, you know, the people have been complaining having problems to do their appointments for consular services on internet or on telephone. so now in order to tackle those difficulties we will have starting may 22nd that the people can make their

appointments through whatsapp. we will use the same telephone--i mean, the same number--the same telephone number that currently we have to make the appointments. that it's 424-309-0009, and through that number the people will be able to make their appointments starting may 22nd. damian: i love how we always think outside the box and make things easier for the [speaking foreign language]. before i go any further, on this mother's day we want to wish you, ambassador, happy mother's day and every other mom out there watching us today. so [speaking foreign language]. remedios: thank you. yeah, likewise. congratulations to all the mothers in the bay area and everywhere. damian: yes. [speaking foreign language]. one thing--another topic that kind of tickles me is the [speaking foreign language] tex-mex in-- it's okay. what is that? remedios: well, you know, it's a mexican who makes his art

through the use of technology, through electronics; and he's rafael gonzalez hamma. and he has this exhibition using technology, and it's very interesting. something different. it's in the heart of the neighborhood of mission. and if the people live in mission, the entrance is free. there's a charge if they come from somewhere else. and i visited the exhibition. it's--for example, if you put your hand under a light, you'll be able to hear in the whole room the beats of your heart. so that's interesting because then all of a sudden everyone is hearing, you yourself how your heart is beating. for example, that's one of the exhibitions. another, he has photographs of how he connected the communities both sides of the border between mexico and united states through the use of light.

so it's an interesting and different exhibition using technology. so i invite everyone because that will be over on the last day of may. damian: that is fascinating. again, always thinking outside the box. our final topic today is a visit that you're having by estudiantes, students from the [speaking foreign language]. remedios: yeah. also the last week of may, they will be here at the consulate and they will be giving different talks for the people if they have any kind of psychological stress. i mean, we know that many people are still affected by the pandemic, and that would be a good opportunity to talk to someone who's studying psychology there at the iberoamericana university. and even if you want to make a question about how you're feeling, you can do that. make an appointment and calling to the consulate. so we invite the people that would be interested. it's 415-354-1748.

that's the telephone number of our communities area. damian: all right. well, thank you very much. a lot of great topics. and, again, we love how innovative the consulados are getting all across the country. thank you so much again, ambassador. and once again, [speaking foreign language] remedios: [speaking foreign language] thank you. damian: gracias. thank you so much. well, if you want more information on the consulate of mexico in san francisco, they are on folsom street. there is their website for more information. remember, now their appointments can be obtained via using the whatsapp app. and up next here on "comunidad del valle," it's called the soul stroll. we'll get into that, so stay with us.

how do we decide what hotel to book? (yelping) fear not, i got you. choice hotels has a hotel for every type of stay. like a comfort with the kiddos. spacious! that's what theyey all s. stay t twice and g get a $50 gift c card when y you book didirect at choicicehotels.cocom. ♪♪ [children playaying outsidid] rereynolds wrarap makes itit y ♪♪ [children playaying outsidid] to cook anand clean upup memeals in no o time. ♪♪ [children playaying outsidid] ♪♪♪ [food sizzzzle] soso i don't m miss all the e fun stuff.f. [whoosh]h] [splasash] eaeasy prep, c cook and clcl. with r reynolds wrwrap. eaeasy prep, c cook and clcl. with us on "comunidad del valle" is evelia chairez. she is with the bay area community health advisory council on "comunidad del valle." welcome to the show, ms. chairez. evelia chairez: thank you. damian: thank you for being here. tell us, first of all, about your organization the bay area community health advisory council. evelia: we're an organization that are working in all

san mateo county, the whole county; and we are working with for sure, you know, african american community, latinx community, and also the pacific islander community. and this organization is working on clearing--you know, like trying to work with the disparities about the--on the health, you know, in these communities. damian: so was there something happening that the health advisories were not getting to african american, latino, and the asian american communities? or why is it that the organization felt you needed to take action? evelia: i think, you know, the county has many good resources, but the thing is that we don't know how to approach the community. and we are working, you know, to connect these communities with the resources that we have available in the county, and this is a big opportunity. we are having resources table and--you know, with all the nonprofit organizations that are working,

you know, to provide services to the communities in need, especially the three communities that i mentioned before. damian: all right. and so you are having a big event. it's called the soul stroll. it's kind of a walk over at san mateo high school this year. tell us about the soul stroll. evelia: so this is an event that, you know--that we are having going for--i think for many years. i have been with the organization for more than ten years and always happening, you know, at coyote point. this year because the things that caused, you know, damage at the coyote point, we are moving to san mateo high school. and this is a big up and rising event that is, you know, just to collect the money to stay--you know, to continue the work we're doing in all the communities. damian: all right. so we're watching file footage of just folks exercising, out for a walk, maybe a jog. maybe talk about the importance of doing that and how your group encourages it out in the community. evelia: yes. we promote, you know, the health and we promote, you know, the movement [speaking foreign language]

movement and persistency because we have to move our bodies. we have to move our souls. we have to move our minds, you know. we are promoting healthy styles of life, you know, healthy styles--lifestyles and, you know, moving is a good way, you know, to change the mood, to--i don't know. it's a good way to start a day. it's a good way--and it's movement. it's persistency. that means that we are moving forward, you know, looking for the best for all of us. damian: yeah. no, you--and you had mentioned that this is actually a fundraiser, the soul stroll. it's a fundraiser for your organization. so people register online and then they go out to san mateo high school and go for a walk? evelia: yes. we had--you know, you can register online and also, you know, that--it is a-- but if you can't pay the amount of the ticket, we have a scholarship. you can apply for a scholarship. you know, this event is open for the whole community.

we are there for you. if you can't make it because you say, "i can't pay it," we have a scholarship. and today we have a promotional, you know, that it's almost mother's day. you can buy one ticket and get the second for free, and you can bring your mom to this event. damian: there you go. that's a nice gift for today mother's day. but at the same time you provide some valuable service for the community. for instance, one you were telling me is annual free mammograms. evelia: yes. we are working with all the women that live in san mateo county, they are 40 years plus and never had a mammogram before. we are offering this program for free. and also we are having an event that is happening in september and working with the men, that is the men symposium, and we are offering many exam tests to the men for free and also most of the services--you know, all the services bachac is providing are free for the whole communities. damian: and so since your group was founded,

the bay area community health advisory council, what change or impact do you think you've had when it comes to health care in the latino community and the other communities? evelia: well, yeah. i think, you know, for example with the mammogram program, last year we served like more than 300 women that never had a mammogram before. and also with the men, you know, it's creating awareness about the health on the men. and every year we are seeing, you know, the men are coming to have the test. we are increasing the numbers, and we are saving lives. we have many testimonies about women that because they have the mammogram exam, then they find that they have any type of cancer, you know, and the different--you know, type 1 or type 2 and they are saying, you know, "this exam saved my life." this organization is saving lives. and also screening awareness about mental health, about physical health. and yes, it's making a big impact in the whole community.

damian: do you think that the county of san mateo has learned a lot from your advocacy and maybe changed a few things of the ways they do things to better serve the community? evelia: yes. we are working so close with san mateo county. all the agencies are connecting with bachac because they are seeing the impact that this organization is creating in the community. and working together we are spreading the services to the whole county, and also we are more working together. we are more close, you know, in trying to provide all these services to the whole communities, especially latinx, african american, and pacific islander. damian: all right, well, thank you so much for educating us here and being on the show this week. we appreciate it. thank you. evelia: thank you so much. damian: all right. thank you so much. and, again, the soul stroll is happening on may 20th here at san mateo high school. it starts at 8 a.m. so get out there early. there is the website for more information put on by the

bay area community health advisory council. up next here on "comunidad del valle," she used to be the highest-ranking latina in the white house and now she has a new role. stay with us.

- life is uncertain. everyday pressures can feel overwhelming it's okay to feel stressed, anxious, worried, or frustrated. it's normal. with calhope's free and secure mental health resources, it's easy to get the help you and your loved ones need when you need it the most. call our warm line at (833) 317-4673 or live chat at calhope.org today.

call our warm line at (833) 317-4673 white house, used to be the senior advisor to president biden, also the white house director of intergovernmental affairs. julie chavez rodriguez is also the granddaughter of the late civil rights leader cesar chavez. she has a new role now. now she is a campaign manager for the president's re-election campaign in 2024. so we wanted to air with you the interview we did back in september when we visited the white house, in fact the west wing, to talk about julie's vision and her role there in the white house. so here she is. damian: now you're in this very highly significant role. a lot of weight on your shoulders to make sure that

everything that you're doing is done right and it's done for the right reasons? julie chavez rodriguez: yes. i mean, i think, you know, all of us that work in this building feel a sense of real responsibility, and i think that's something that is really encouraging about the team that the president has both assembled and attracted is that it's--you know, it's a deep-seated commitment to real public service and to ensuring that, you know, we are kind of living up to the responsibilities that we've been entrusted with as public servants. and so definitely feel a lot of responsibility. and i also think that it's important that we continue to create, you know, opportunities so that i'm not the only one in the room and continuing to carry that voice, but we continue to expand the leadership. and i think one thing that president biden has done is

really assembled one of the most diverse cabinets as well as one of the most diverse white house, you know, staff, especially at the leadership level, and there are times when, you know, it's mostly women on the zoom or in the meeting as well. and so i think it's just--you know, we've seen so much, i think, new leadership and exciting leadership really step in and--you know, i just hope to be both a part of that but also continuing to open the door for others to step into these roles as well as maria did for myself and so many others. damian: --your mom, we lost her a few years ago. and your dad who still puts his boots on, puts his [speaking foreign language] on, for so many years worked for next to nothing speaking up for those who don't have a voice, who work with dust on their face and mud on their hands. talk about the sacrifices that a family has to make. julie: yeah.

well, one, my mother sits on my desk, and she's the first person that i bring into my office no matter what office i occupy. so i miss her dearly and i know that--you know, not a day goes by that i don't feel her presence 'cause i would not be here without her. and, you know, i think that my parents sacrificed so much growing up. first, my mom, you know, having grown up in some of those early days of the farmworker movement, i remember her and my aunt sylvia and others talking about having to go to school and being taunted or, you know, parents organizing, you know, mothers against chavez and kids coming to school with buttons and how, you know, hard that was but also how hard working as a farmworker was and how important she kn

to really be able to change those conditions and--thank you. and so i think, you know, really learning from them and seeing those early sacrifices i think just really, you know, enabled me to understand that sometimes with great progress does come sacrifice and that it's-- you know, there is a--i should say it's on behalf of a greater purpose. i think they clearly showed me early on that, you know, being a part of something bigger than oneself was worth it, but it wasn't necessarily easy and it wasn't glamorous and it wasn't something that--you know, frankly that everybody can do, but that it required a lot of

commitment and a real deep-seated belief in the power of people to continue, you know, to take agency of their own lives and to continue to improve their own conditions. and i can't think of better role models, you know, from the two of them to my grandparents to all the farmworkers that i got to see really standing up and speaking out against the injustices that they were facing. damian: yeah, you didn't have a choice growing up, right? you didn't have an option. social justice--the fight for social justice you--it was in you. julie: exactly. you know, i--my parents tell a story that when i was 5 i marched into their room, 'cause i didn't usually walk. i usually marched everywhere. that i marched into their room asking when i could start my first job at the age of 5, and that's 'cause my older sister

who i idolized started working with my grandmother at the farmworker credit union when she was 5 throwing trash and helping to fold receipts and sending them in the mail to the farmworkers. and so i was ready. i was like, "put me in, coach." but--i mean, since those early days, you know, whether it was farmworker conventions that we were preparing for or silk screening flags for big marches, i mean--you know, my cousin christine often jokes and says some families went on family picnics, we went on family pickets. so it was just sort of--you know, it was all one. there wasn't really a separation between our family life, you know, the farmworker movement; and it was, i think, one of the richest childhoods that anyone can have. damian: julie chavez rodriguez, a former senior advisor to the president of the united states.

in our next segment on "comunidad del valle," she talks about the power of latinas. stay with us. how w can you slsleep on such a f firm settining? gab,b, mine is a almost the sameme as yours.s. almostst... just a another wod for r not as gooood as mine.

saveve 50% on ththe sleep nunr limited ededition smarart be. plusus, free homome delivery whenen you add a an adjustabe babase. only a at sleep nunum. valle," you can follow me on instagram. my handle is @newsdamiantrujillo. on twitter i am @newsdamian. we thank you for spending a part of your mother's day with us on "comunidad del valle." we're going to leave you now with the rest of our interview with julie chavez rodriguez, a former senior advisor to the president of the united states in the white house and now the campaign manager for the biden re-election campaign. also, in the end you might catch a clip. my daughter malyna was able to ask one question of her as well inside the west wing. so thanks for watching. we will see you here next week. [speaking foreign language] damian: what is it about the power of latinas that says, "[speaking foreign language], we're here and we're not going anywhere?" julie: well, i think, you know, a lot of the latinas that i work with have been i think, really--you know, they've shown me that so many of

us, right, we come from humble beginnings and oftentimes those roots are what keep us really grounded and really focused on who it is that we're fighting for and why it is that we're doing this work. and i think that oftentimes, you know, whether it's on behalf of, you know, their own family or on behalf of other families, oftentimes latinas do take on that, you know, important role. and so, you know, i think we've seen it time and time again, is just the leadership and ability to, you know, step in and to bring people together. and, you know, i'm fortunate i get to work alongside emmy ruiz, our political director, another amazing latina who, you know, has--you know, we've sort of worked alongside one another. but, you know, it wasn't until the vice president's primary campaign that we actually got a chance to work directly together, and it's just--it's been,

you know, great to have her here in the building but also just so many others that we've continued to groom and work with along the way. damian: what would you tell that young latina as they're coming up to break those glass ceilings and to learn the word [speaking foreign language], to learn the word perseverance. and if i might borrow a phrase, to learn [speaking foreign language] julie: yeah, i mean, i think it's really having that attitude, right, that anything is possible and that, you know, don't let anyone define you, don't let anyone tell you who you are, what you can do. just continue to really show people what it is that you're capable of and continue to just, you know, work hard and to just really be a role model for yourself and for others. and i found that--and this is one important lesson from my grandfather. i have so many. but he would always say there's no substitute for hard work and, you know, we're accustomed to that and it's--you know,

it comes naturally oftentimes to us. i just say, you know, it's been a real honor over the last, you know, 20 months to be able to serve the biden-harris administration when we see the impact that we've been able to make in such a short amount of time reducing childhood poverty by 40% in the latino community, helping to, you know, deliver $11 billion to hispanic-serving institutions, helping to, you know, ensure that millions of latinos receive the child tax credit and emergency rental assistance and support when they needed it the most, and revitalizing our latino small businesses. i think we're now back to, you know, the fastest-growing segment of small businesses. and we know how hard the pandemic was for so many people, but i just think, you know, the latino community is really helping to revitalize our economy in critical ways and i'm just excited to see that effort underway and to continue to,

you know, use these opportunities to not just, you know, build roads and bridges in our communities but to really build wealth and continue to provide opportunity for many. malyna: it's my dream job too, and when i look at you i just think--like seeing a latina in such powerful position, it makes me feel like i can do it. so thank you. and it's just so powerful to see you doing what you're doing, and it means a lot to me and a lot to a lot of other young latinas too. so thank you. and anyway, i was wondering what representation means to you in politics and how we can get more latina representation, especially young latinas. julie: yeah. well, i think there are a lot of really great programs that have built a strong pipeline and continue to build a strong pipeline for people coming into--whether it's working in congress or working in the administration. and so i think really taking advantage of those,

you know, fellowship opportunities 'cause they are, you know, both, you know, help you kind of explore, you know, what it is that you want to do in politics but then also equally as important really building those relationships and those connections and networks that are really important as, you know, you navigate kind of, you know, this world. and, you know, i think that there's just so much opportunity for representation within government i think, you know, across the board, whether it's, you know, having more latinos and latinas in government. [audience applauding] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪

♪♪♪ ♪♪♪

right now on access hollywood, we take you inside the little mermaid premiere as star halle bailey gets some extra love from her sister, chloe. our irwin family exclusive reveals how they're keeping steve's memory alive. and decades of her passion for fashion, nobody does style quite like dolly.