Last year, Amisha Patel, our beloved former Executive Director, announced that she would be leaving GC to continue her leadership in new roles. We launched a national search for her replacement, someone who could take our coalition into a future full of essential fights for justice and exciting new possibilities for growing our movement. We are thrilled that Carlos Fernandez has agreed to step into this role and bring his experiences and perspectives to our work.
We are eager for you to get to know Carlos. We asked him a few questions so you can get to know him better.
What motivates you to do this work?
What gets me up in the morning, besides coffee, is a belief in and awe at the great things everyday people are capable of. What drives me to get through big challenges is that same faith plus a simmering anger at the powerful and the systems they use to deny people their full potential. What helps me find my way are the values that I learned from my parents, of service and dedication, that I saw in how hard they worked and how ready they were to help others along in their journeys.
What parts do you enjoy most about participating in actions?
I love when the people take over the streets with numbers and art and music. I feel like the frequency of those in Chicago has increased, so let’s keep that going, please! But my favorite genre is when those in power have to answer to those who seem powerless. That’s why I loved it when, at the recent mayoral forum by the People’s Unity Platform, BPNC youth leaders got to ask Chicago mayoral candidates where they stood on school funding and Treatment Not Trauma.
Who do you draw inspiration from?
Human creativity! I love lots of different kinds of music, but growing up in Chicago spoiled me with the best of house, hip hop, and punk. The moving image, from music videos in high school to global cinema in college, expanded my imagination and shook me into action with favorites like The Battle of Algiers and Salt of the Earth. And nature’s creativity too as I’ve enjoyed more time hiking and camping.
Favorite movie, TV show or podcast?
I’m all about podcasts! Hidden Brain about the strange human mind, Odd Lots about the edges of today’s economy, and Black Work Talk for some of the best discussions of race, labor, and radical politics that I’ve encountered yet.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I once was the roadie for a Chicago band called Los Crudos on their first tour in Mexico.
What is your favorite cooking ingredient?
Chocolate, dark, in baked goods, as a drink, in savory dishes like mole, and just on its own.
How can people get in touch with you?
You can reach me by email, carlos@thegrassrootscollaborative.org, or on Twitter, @cfdz. I’m excited to hear from the GC community!