Latinos, Media, and Democracy Fellowship 2022

Equis Counter-Disinformation Capacity-Building Program

In 2022, Equis launched the Latinos, Media, and Democracy Fellowship, a paid, intensive capacity-building program designed to strengthen the pipeline of Latino researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of media, democracy, and counter-disinformation.

Running from August through December 2022, this 16-week fellowship combined rigorous training, hands-on research, and real-world collaboration with partner organizations.

Program Purpose

The core goal of the program was to strengthen the pipeline of credible Latino researchers and counter-disinformation experts by providing early-career professionals with the skills, tools, and networks needed to work across research, digital, policy, media, and communications roles.

Fellowship Outcomes

By the end of the program, fellows were equipped to:

  • Understand key concepts related to the modern information environment, including misinformation, disinformation, influence operations, and behavioral research

  • Conduct open-source investigations and narrative analysis in English and Spanish

  • Develop stronger writing, briefing, and public-speaking skills

  • Navigate the broader counter-disinformation ecosystem and understand the roles of different organizations and sectors

  • Apply their skills across multiple professional pathways, including research, digital strategy, media, policy, and communications

Fellow Profile

The program was designed for early-career Latino leaders with a demonstrated interest in digital spaces and democratic participation.

Ideal fellows included:

  • College juniors or seniors (ages 20–26)

  • Recent graduates (including OPT/CPT students or part-time students)

  • Young organizers or volunteers at partner organizations

  • Individuals bilingual or fluent in Spanish and/or Portuguese

  • Applicants with a strong sense of curiosity and engagement with online communities

Structure and Commitment

  • Duration: August 22 – December 9, 2022

  • Length: 16 weeks (4 months)

  • Time Commitment: 16 hours per week

  • Format: Fully virtual, with consistent hours across time zones

Curriculum Overview

The fellowship curriculum blended theory, applied research, and practitioner-led training. Key topic areas included:

  • Social listening and narrative analysis

  • Fact-checking and media literacy

  • Latino media ecosystems and news consumption

  • Online safety, cybersecurity, and researcher mental health

  • Polling, focus groups, and qualitative research methods

  • Spanish-language messaging and engagement

  • Civic participation, coalition-building, and digital organizing

  • Formal briefings and professional presentations

Guest speakers and trainers included experts from Equis, partner organizations, academic institutions, and civil society groups working at the forefront of media integrity and democracy.

Introducing the 2022 Fellows

Camila Arjona_Headshot

Camila Arjona

Camila Arjona is a first-generation political communication student at Emerson College with minors in Latinx Studies and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies. She has previously worked as a student researcher for Emerson Polling and as a Special Projects Intern for We Are Home. She’s very excited to join the team at Equis!

Alejandra Cid_Headshot

Alejandra Cid

Alejandra Cid is a proud Angeleno. She is a recent graduate of the University of Southern California from which she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Narrative Studies and a Master of Arts in Literary Editing and Publishing. She is interested in storytelling, the power of social media, and creating accessible, inclusive, and engaging spaces wherever she goes.

Luna Macedo_Headshot

Luna Macedo
Melissa Luna Macedo is a recent San Francisco State University graduate with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Latinx Studies. She has conducted two separate ethnographic research studies in San Francisco, revealing how social problems create individual struggles. Melissa’s curiosity about humans and the world we live in sparks a passion for wanting to explore the unknowns while also bringing awareness to issues that are often left forgotten. 

Gianna Russi_Headshot

Gianna Russi
Gianna Russi is from Miami, Florida, currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. She recently earned a Bachelor's degree with a double major in Political Science and History from Boston College, where she is also completing a Master's degree in History. Gianna’s interests are focused on the intersection of politics, communication, and history. She has conducted research on the effects of social media on political behavior and polarization. She has also worked on the communications teams of political campaigns and organizations. As a Latina, she is looking forward to applying her previous experiences, knowledge, and skills to the fellowship to learn more about how media and communications affect the Latinx community. 

David Salinas_Headshot

David Salinas

David Salinas (he/his) was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, by a single mother who immigrated from Guatemala. She instilled in him the values of: "aprender del pasado, vivir en el presente y trabajar para el futuro." Inspired by his mother's perseverance and determination, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with a concentration in Law and Justice and a double minor in Legal Studies and Chicanx-Latinx Studies from the University of San Francisco. His passion lies within the heart of protecting human rights, equity for all and uplifting underrepresented voices. Recently, he accepted and participated in the Emerson Collective Youth Collaborative as an Idea Engineer creating a podcast centered around the lived experiences of queer and trans migrants along the Southern border.