Minority Majority 012: Duolingo's Latino Founder, Xiye Bastida's Climate Activism, & Latino Influence at Coachella 2024

INTRODUCTION
Bienvenidos - Welcome to this week’s edition of Minority Majority. Today we cover Luis von Ahn's journey from Guatemala to founding Duolingo, Xiye Bastida's powerful voice in the global climate movement, and the Latino influence transforming one of the biggest global music festivals.

So, grab your afternoon cafecito and enjoy this week’s issue of Minority Majority. ☕️

BUSINESS
Duolingo's Founder: Luis von Ahn's Remarkable Journey from Guatemala to Global Impact

Luis von Ahn, a Guatemalan immigrant, is the mastermind behind Duolingo, the world's most popular language app, a feat that encapsulates his journey from a non-English speaking childhood to becoming a tech industry titan. Raised in a middle-class family amidst Guatemala's civil war, von Ahn was driven by his mother's sacrifices, who invested her entire salary in his education. This investment led him to learn English and develop a passion for technology.

Von Ahn's academic prowess in tech and mathematics caught the attention of Duke University, leading to his recruitment at just 18. His journey continued at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his doctorate and developed an online game that Google acquired for $2 million.

This achievement was just the beginning. He went on to create CAPTCHA, a revolutionary tool to differentiate humans from bots online, which he later enhanced to reCAPTCHA, ingeniously utilizing it to digitize texts, books, and identify street images, a contribution that earned him the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship in 2006.

The inception of Duolingo, co-founded with Severin Hacker, was a turning point in von Ahn's career, driven by his desire to make language education accessible to all. The app, now offering courses in over 40 languages, reflects von Ahn's belief in the life-changing power of language, particularly English. Duolingo's success, with a market cap of $8 billion and nearly 74 million active users monthly, highlights von Ahn's vision of bridging educational gaps across socioeconomic classes.

Duolingo's impact is profound, with more people learning languages on the app in the U.S. than in all high schools combined. Von Ahn's achievements include multiple patents, scientific publications, and numerous awards, including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers and the Distinguished Leadership Award for Innovation and Social Impact. He's a MacArthur Fellow, a recipient of the Lemelson-MIT Prize, and his work is recognized by institutions like Duke, UCLA, and Yale.

Despite his success, von Ahn remains critical of his achievements, particularly in terms of company diversity, recognizing the need for greater Latinx representation within his team and the tech industry as a whole. His commitment extends beyond business; he is actively involved in tackling issues like government corruption in Guatemala and invests in areas like women's equality, the environment, and democracy through his foundation.

In building Duolingo and revolutionizing language learning, Luis von Ahn embodies the essence of innovation and social impact, proving that a steadfast commitment to educational accessibility can bridge gaps and foster connections in an increasingly globalized world.

IMPACTO
Leading with Heritage: Xiye Bastida's Path in Global Climate Advocacy

Xiye Bastida, a 21-year-old climate justice activist from the Otomi-Toltec Indigenous community in Central Mexico, is a dynamic force in the global environmental movement. Born and raised in San Pedro Tultepec, Mexico, Bastida's path to activism ignited after her family had to move from Mexico to NYC due to the impacts of climate-induced droughts and floods in their hometown.

In New York, Bastida's activism blossomed. She joined the People’s Climate Movement, organizing comprehensive training programs for activists. Her involvement in the United Nations climate conference in 2017 marked a significant step in her journey, as she strived to bring Indigenous knowledge into global decision-making.

This effort was recognized when she received the Spirit of the UN award in 2018. Bastida also played a pivotal role in Fridays For Future NYC, helping to organize the city's largest climate strike, which saw 300,000 participants take to the streets.

Bastida's approach to climate advocacy is deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage. She emphasizes the importance of including Indigenous wisdom in addressing environmental challenges and highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on marginalized communities.

Currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania, Bastida is pursuing a major in Environmental Studies with a focus on Policy. Her academic interests span a wide range, from Environmental Ethics to Hispanic Literature, mirroring her holistic view of environmentalism. She co-founded the Re-Earth Initiative, which underscores the intersectionality of the climate crisis, and serves on advisory boards for the World Economic Forum and Planetary Guardians.

Beyond her academic and organizational work, Bastida is a frontline activist. She has been instrumental in mobilizing young people for climate action through strikes and campaigns, advocating for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. Her message is one of collaboration and intergenerational solidarity, urging a collective approach to tackling environmental challenges.

Xiye Bastida represents a new generation of environmental leaders. Her journey from a small Mexican town to an influential global activist is a testament to the power of youth and diversity in the climate movement.

Bastida's story goes beyond activism; it's about motivating a worldwide push for a sustainable and fair future, showing how young, diverse voices can influence global climate change strategies.

CULTURA
The Rise of Latino Artists at Coachella 2024

One of the most popular music festivals globally with over 125,000 attendees each weekend, Coachella, recently announced its 2024 lineup and it features nearly 20 Spanish-language Acts! The 2024 lineup is a resounding testament to the growing influence of Latino & Spanish-speaking artists in shaping mainstream American music culture.

The 2024 festival will feature an array of Latino artists who are not only diversifying the music scene but also reshaping it with their unique sounds and styles. Leading this lineup is Peso Pluma, the Lebanese-Mexican artist returning for a powerful performance following his 2023 appearance with Becky G. Joining him are Puerto Rican rising star Young Miko and the Argentine sensation Bizarrap, making his U.S. general market festival debut.

Making their Coachella debut are Mexican talents Santa Fe Klan, Kevin Caarl, and Carin León, each bringing their unique brand of music to the festival.

Ice Spice Performing Saturday, Ice Spice, who is Afro-Latina with Dominican heritage, will also take the stage for the first time at the festival. Colombian star J Balvin returns to the Coachella stage, adding to his performances in previous years, including a set in 2019 and a special appearance in 2022.

The festival's history with Latinx artists is noteworthy. Last year, Bad Bunny headlined, marking a significant milestone as the first Spanish-language artist to do so. Over the years, the stage has welcomed artists like Banda MS, Grupo Firme, DannyLux, Nicki Nicole, Nathy Peluso, Café Tacvba, and Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

Below is a complete list of the Latinx and/or Spanish-Language Acts at the 2024 Coachella Festival:

Friday, April 12 & 19

Peso Pluma
Bizarrap
Young Miko
Cimafunk
Son Rompe Pera

Saturday, April 13 & 20

Santa Fe Klan
Ice Spice
Kevin Kaarl
The Red Pears
Girl Ultra
Depresión Sonora

Sunday, April 14 & 21

J Balvin
Carin León
Ludmilla
Latin Mafia
Hermanos Gutiérrez
Eddie Zuko
Bb Trickz

The inclusion of these artists at Coachella 2024 highlights the undeniable impact of Latino music in the U.S. It reflects a cultural shift where Latino artists are not just participating in the American music narrative but are actively shaping and defining it. Their music speaks to a broad audience, breaking language barriers and uniting fans under the universal language of rhythm and melody.

EN LA COCINA

How to Make: Ecuadorian Encebollado

Ingredients

• 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of tuna or albacore

• 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of yuca (cassava)

• 2 tbsp of oil

• 2 tomatoes, chopped into cubes

• 4 garlic cloves

• 1 sweet pepper, finely chopped

• 1 red onion, chopped into cubes

• 1 tsp of ground paprika

• 2 tsp of ground cumin

• 8 cups of water

• 5 sprigs of cilantro or coriander

Instructions:

Prepare the Yuca:

Peel the yuca and cut it into medium-sized sticks. In a pot, boil them with a pinch of salt. When they are tender (you can check by piercing them with a knife), turn off the heat.

Make the Sofrito:

In a deep pot, sauté the onion with the tomatoes, crushed garlic, sweet pepper. Season with cumin, salt & pepper.

Cook the Soup:

Add water and cilantro sprigs to the pot with the sofrito.

Once the water starts boiling, add the tuna.

Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the fish from the broth and set it aside.

Strain the broth (but don't discard all of it).

Final Steps:

Add the cooked yuca to the strained broth and cut the tuna into slices.

Adjust the seasoning with salt if needed and heat until the encebollado is ready to serve.

Serve:

Serve in a deep bowl and sprinkle some cilantro, chopped red onions and tomato slices on top before consuming.

Enjoy this traditional Ecuadorian dish that perfectly combines the flavors of the sea with the heartiness of yuca!

NUESTRO TRIVIA: Last Week’s Answer

Last week, we asked: Which 2010 film, portraying the Bolivian water crisis, won 3 Goya Awards? 

The correct answer is…Tambien La Lluvia (Even The Rain)!

También la Lluvia (Even the Rain) is a thought-provoking Spanish drama that intertwines the historical narrative of Christopher Columbus's exploitation of the New World with the contemporary struggle over water rights in Bolivia. The film, set against the backdrop of the Cochabamba Water War of 2000, follows a Spanish film crew who experience ethical dilemmas and conflicts as they make a film about Columbus in Bolivia. As the local water crisis escalates, the crew’s interactions with the indigenous community reveal the lasting impact of colonialism and the ongoing struggle for basic human rights.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: This Week!

Question: What is the name of the the second-largest barrier reef in the world and what countries does it extend over?

Reply with your guess! Answers will be revealed in the next newsletter!

RIEGA LA VOZ

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