The Latino Creatives Behind Your Favorite TV Shows Are On Strike Right Now

a collage featuring steven canals, dani fernandez, rafael agustin and tanya saracho

Our favorite TV shows have been there for us through the highs and lows, offering familiarity and comfort when we needed it most and introducing us to characters we've come to love. They made us laugh, they made us cry, and most importantly, they've made us feel seen. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in their stories it's easy to forget that there's a whole team of amazing people behind the scenes making it all come to life. And now, these unsung heroes who create the stories, write the lines, and make every scene feel real are struggling to make ends meet.


Streaming has rapidly become a dominant force in the entertainment industry. Although the industry disruptor delivered plenty of benefits, it also brought many significant challenges. Writers and actors are currently dealing with declining and sometimes non-existent compensation and worsening work conditions that haven't kept up with the new streaming business model.

To make matters worse, the startling inequality for Latino creatives in the industry persists, leading to a marked marginalization of Latino voices. They're fed up, and frankly, who can blame them?

In addition to the challenges Latino writers face in the television industry, there is also the pressing issue of the growing presence of artificial intelligence (AI) as a potential replacement for human workers and talent. This strike represents a significant endeavor by labor unions to push for industry regulations and even potential bans on the use of AI in place of human creatives. As technology advances and AI becomes more prevalent, this issue is likely to be addressed by unions in industries nationwide, sparking a broader conversation about the implications of AI in the workforce and the need to protect human labor and creativity.

For the first time since 1960, both the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) are on strike.

This fight is about more than just ensuring your favorite characters get to stay on screen. The striking creatives are standing up for diversity, authenticity, and for the Latino stories that touch our hearts and minds that have also contributed to the billions of dollars the streamers and studios have raked in.

Sometimes, we're so immersed in the entertainment that we forget there are real people creating the shows we love. These Latino creatives bring us stories full of heart, laughs, and rich viewpoints that make binge-watching worthwhile. They are also now demanding their fair share of the steamer and studio wealth, which ultimately will ensure we see more of, not less, Latino content.

Tanya Saracho

Tanya Saracho is an exceptional playwright and television writer celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to the industry. As the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of the critically acclaimed series "Vida," she garnered widespread acclaim, earning a remarkable 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes across all three seasons. Saracho's creative endeavors extend beyond "Vida" as she passionately develops an array of television projects, showcasing her immense talent and versatility. Her profound impact transcends the screen, evidenced by her co-founding of the Untitled Latinx Project (ULP) and the Writers Access Support Staff Training Program.

With her innovative storytelling, Saracho continues to shape and elevate the entertainment landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Steven Canals

Steven Canals, an Afro-Latino writer hailing from the Bronx, co-created the revolutionary FX series "Pose" alongside Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk. "Pose" takes viewers on a journey through New York's African-American and Latino LGBTQ+ and gender-nonconforming ballroom culture during the late '80s and early '90s. The series offers an intimate peek into a community often overlooked in mainstream media. "Pose" boasts the largest transgender cast in television history and has garnered critical acclaim.

Canals' remarkable work earned him recognition as a "writer to watch" by Variety in 2018, and he signed an overall deal with 20th Century Fox Television in 2020, further solidifying his position as a prominent figure in the industry.

Valentina Garza

Renowned for her sharp wit, Valentina Garza, a seasoned Cuban-American comedy writer, is best known for her substantial contributions to the iconic series, "The Simpsons," and the Jane the Virgin spin-off pilot, "Jane the Novela." She was also a writer for "Wednesday," "True Lies," and "Only Murders In The Building."

Garza's distinctive comedic voice has become a part of the series' fabric, lending it a refreshing diversity that resonates with a global audience.

Dani Fernandez

A gifted writer, comedian, and actress, she has left an indelible mark on projects like "The Critics' Choice Super Awards" and the animated gem "Ralph Breaks the Internet." Beyond her written work, she has graced popular channels such as Nerdist, Geek & Sundry, and Screen Junkies, captivating audiences with her infectious energy and genuine love for all things nerdy. Dani Fernandez's talent and versatility have solidified her as a captivating force in the industry, delighting audiences across various mediums with her exceptional skills and energetic presence.

Erick Galindo

As a writer, creator, director, and podcast host, Erick Galindo has left no stone unturned in the entertainment industry. His journey as a biracial individual navigating two worlds in Southeast Los Angeles during the 90s informs his award-winning work. From his gripping podcasts "Idolo: The Ballad of Chalino Sanchez" and "WILD" to his cinematic projects, he tells stories that universally resonate while still reflecting his personal experiences. Currently, Galindo is collaborating with world champion boxer Canelo Alvarez on an animated TV series, assuring us that there are more fascinating stories to come.

Gloria Calderón Kellett

As the executive producer, co-creator, co-showrunner, director, and actress of the beloved sitcom "One Day at a Time," Gloria Calderón Kellett has captivated audiences with her heartfelt storytelling. Her talents extend to the streaming realm with the series "With Love."

Not stopping there, now she's bringing us "The Horror of Dolores Roach." With a background as the daughter of Cuban immigrants and an impressive resume that includes writing, producing, acting, and directing on shows like "Devious Maids," "Rules of Engagement," and "How I Met Your Mother," Calderón Kellett is a true powerhouse.

Rafael Agustin

Rafael Agustin's exceptional storytelling skills and personal journey as a formerly undocumented American have shaped his contributions to shows like "Jane The Virgin" and his TV family comedy, "Illegal." Agustin's groundbreaking 2004 autobiographical comedy, "N*gger Wetb*ck Ch*nk," garnered widespread acclaim from esteemed publications such as the LA Times and the New York Times for its powerful exploration of social justice issues.

Most recently, Agustin authored his memoir, "Illegally Yours." When he's not creating widely acclaimed projects, he is also serving as the Executive Director of the Latino Film Institute, overseeing the renowned Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival and their educational film program, the Youth Cinema Project.

Recognized as one of the fifty most essential people in Los Angeles by LA Weekly, Agustin's influence extends far beyond the entertainment industry. He is a passionate advocate for human rights and uses storytelling as a powerful tool for change.

The ongoing strike serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges industry creatives face. It's a pivotal moment in the labor market, and this strike is prompting a broader conversation about the future of work and the importance of valuing human creativity in the face of advancing technology.

Whether you march alongside them on picket lines, contribute to their cause, or merely help spread the word, the Latino community could help ensure the voices of Latino creatives are heard and celebrated in the ever-evolving landscape of tv and film.

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Have you ever met someone who seems overly confident, self-centered, or even downright rude? Maybe they constantly talk about themselves, disregard your feelings, or even manipulate situations to their advantage. And, if you're anything like us and countless other Latinas, you might've thought, is this person just a purebred a**hole, or are they a narcissist?

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Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

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Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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