Gloria Calderón Kellett: Crafting Stories of Empowerment for Latinas on Screen

Photo of Gloria Calderón Kellet in a pink blazer and blouse with a green background

In a television industry often criticized for its lack of diverse representation, Gloria Calderón Kellett has carved a space for herself, unapologetically writing and producing content that celebrates Latine culture and puts a spotlight on the narratives of Latinas.


Born to Cuban immigrant parents, Calderón Kellett's personal journey as a Latina woman in the United States has heavily influenced her professional trajectory. She has often spoken about how her family stories, cultural heritage, and the experiences of her community shaped her understanding of the world and, by extension, the narratives she presents in her work.

Gloria Calderón Kellett got her start in the industry writing for acclaimed shows like "How I Met Your Mother" and "Rules of Engagement". But it wasn't until she took on the role of executive producer and co-showrunner of "One Day at a Time" that she started to make waves in the industry. The show, a modern reimagining of the Norman Lear sitcom from the 1970s, was praised for its portrayal of a Cuban-American family dealing with issues of mental health, immigration, sexism, homophobia, and racism, all while maintaining a heartwarming and humorous tone.

She continued to use her platform to amplify Latina voices with her semi-autobiographical show, "With Love." The show is a beautiful, nuanced exploration of the Latino experience in the United States, blending romance, comedy, and family drama. It also presents a multi-generational Latine family at the core of its storytelling, a rarity in mainstream television.

Calderón Kellett's work is critically acclaimed not only for its high-quality storytelling and memorable characters but also for its cultural authenticity. From language nuances to cultural rituals, her shows provide a genuine depiction of the Latina experience, capturing the hearts of both Latine and non-Latine audiences alike.

Ready to dive headfirst into Calderón Kellett's universe of vibrant Latine stories? Grab your favorite snacks and prepare for a binge-watch journey with these sensational shows!

One Day at a Time

Still image featuring Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan, Melissa Fumero, Justina Machado, and Stephanie Beatriz in One Day at a Time (2017)

Via: IMDB

This innovative reboot of the 1970s sitcom revolves around the lives of the Alvarez family, a multi-generational Cuban-American clan living under one roof. At the heart of the family is Penelope, a divorced Army nursing corps veteran who is balancing her career, her two strong-willed children, and her vivacious, traditional Cuban mother Lydia. Each episode is a delightful blend of comedy and poignant social commentary, as it skillfully addresses relevant issues such as mental health, LGBTQ+ rights, racism, and immigration. What sets this sitcom apart is its unique blend of warmth, wit, and the authentic portrayal of Latine culture and experiences.

The series has been widely acclaimed for its delicate balance between humor and heart, ensuring that you laugh just as often as you reach for a tissue. Catch it on Netflix or on Prime Video.

With Love

Still from the TV series With Love

Via: IMDB

Imagine celebrating the major American holidays with the Diaz family, a lovable, close-knit Latine family in Oregon. That's precisely the premise of "With Love". The show takes us through a year in the life of the Diaz family, with each episode focusing on a specific holiday. The narrative cleverly intertwines the love lives of its characters with the holiday theme, serving up ample amounts of romance, comedy, and family drama. While the series is peppered with lighthearted and fun moments, it also doesn't shy away from addressing deeper issues that impact the Latine community.

"With Love" is a celebration of family, culture, love, and the rich tapestry of Latine heritage, making it a joyous, binge-worthy experience. Watch it now on Prime Video!

The Horror of Dolores Roach

Still image of Justina Machado in The Horror of Dolores Roach (2023)

Via: IMDB

"The Horror of Dolores Roach", adapted from the popular Spotify podcast of the same name, is a modern urban legend with a chilling twist. Justina Machado shines as Dolores Roach, a woman fresh out of a 16-year prison stint, who returns home to a dramatically gentrified Washington Heights. She rebuilds her life in the most unlikely of places - the basement of an empanada shop run by her old friend, Luis (Alejandro Hernandez). But when her newfound peace is jeopardized, Dolores is driven to unthinkable extremes to survive. Brought to life by creator Aaron Mark and co-executive producer Gloria Calderón Kellett, this series promises a suspenseful journey into survival, morality, and the harsh realities of gentrification. Ready for some spine-tingling suspense with your empanadas? Then you can't afford to miss this one!

Mark your calendar! The new series will be available exclusively on Prime Video on July 7.

Gloria Calderón Kellett is a true force in the television industry. Her dedication to sharing narratives that resonate with Latinas and her continuous efforts to amplify Latine voices make her a role model for aspiring creators everywhere.

Through her work, Calderón Kellett sends a powerful message: Latinas are not just a part of the story; they are the story. And they are here to stay.

bop the bigot video game logo

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

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