I’m so grateful for this recognition, especially since it is an opportunity to use whatever influence I may have to advance a culture of language accessibility. I’ve spent about 20 years attempting to expose and repair the inequities that exist in the US when people who don’t communicate in English are unable to access services, information, and resources because of inadequate language assistance. I believe that a lack of general awareness of the meaning and importance of language access has been one of the major systemic issues at play, so it is especially meaningful to me to see that language equity is resonating with so many people.

It’s an exciting time to do this work. I see progress everywhere. People are advocating for language access and policymakers are paying attention. We still have a long way to go, but we have momentum and more tools than ever being used to transform dangerous inequities into a culture of participation, representation, and improved outcomes for everyone using language. I’m inspired by the transformative work happening all around me. It’s such a privilege to be a part of that, and to be recognized for my small role. I’m grateful to MultiLingual magazine for this platform, and to everyone who elevated me to the level of “influencer.” Thank you!