Gateways/Portales: Interview with John Herrera

John Herrera was the founder of El Pueblo, co-founder of the Latino Community Credit Union in Durham, co-founder of La Fiesta del Pueblo, first Latinx nominated to be part of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) board, and first Latinx elected to municipal office in North Carolina as the alderman of Carrboro. Herrera talked about his family and where they lived; growing up in San Jose, Costa Rica; why he left Costa Rica; his arrival in North Carolina and his first impression of NC; how North Carolina changed since his arrival; and when he knew North Carolina was his home. Herrera described his experiences creating community in North Carolina, working on the NCUA board, and serving his community as alderman of Carrboro; and he explained why he entered politics. He talked about the importance of the credit union for the Latino community and the success of the credit union. Herrera explained about the mission of El Pueblo, an advocacy organization which strengthens the Latino community in North Carolina through advocacy, public policy, leadership, development, education, and promotion of cross-cultural understanding. El Pueblo organized and brought about the 1996 La Fiesta del Pueblo; and developed North Carolina's first Latino legislative agenda in 2001. Herrera talked about the inaugural La Fiesta del Pueblo in 1994, and the community reaction and response to the festival. La Fiesta del Pueblo, the largest Latinx festival in the Raleigh-Durham area, featured booths for social, physical, and mental health services; a soccer tournament; food; and entertainment. The inaugural festival targeted Mexican farmworkers; 300 were expected, but 2000 attended. Herrera also talked about what makes him happy, proud; lessons he learned; and what he does for fun. Clips of this interview were included in the 'Community-Owned Banking,' 'Recognition and Representation,' and 'La Fiesta del Pueblo' sections of the exhibition.

Interview. Related to exhibition 'Gateways/Portales.' The MP4 video files are grouped with related SMI files, PPN files, XML documents, and BIM files. Dated 20161029.