Join us as Lya Quintana, a student at Jose Marti MAST Academy, interviews the founder of Virtutem Populo, Maurits Acosta, on all thing civic action and starting a nonprofit organization.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

Listen to this inspiring conversation between Virtutem Populo's Executive Director, Maurits Acosta, and City of Hialeah Councilman, Bryan Calvo. Bryan is a licensed Florida attorney, former White House intern, Harvard graduate, and the youngest elected official in Miami-Dade County.

Bryan received a full ride scholarship to attend Harvard University, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Government and a Language Citation in Italian. He was accepted to Harvard in one of the most competitive years in Harvard’s history, with over 40,000 students applying for 1,500 spots. During his time at Harvard, Bryan was a Senior Staffer of Harvard Model Congress, an active member of the Institute of Politics, and President of the Harvard Candela Salsa Team.

While in law school, Bryan ran for and was elected to the Hialeah City Council, where he serves as the youngest elected official in Miami-Dade County. Although his various professional commitments keep Bryan very busy, he is passionate about various hobbies including holding a current private pilot’s license, scuba diving, spearfishing, and taking his two dogs Mars and Ziva on long walks.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

Alyson and Vanessa are the founders of Know Your Rights Weekly, an email newsletter based in Miami-Dade County run by students.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

Josh Rios is a graduate of the University of Florida and former student advisor to the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida. Listen in as we talk about dual enrollment, student advocacy, and the power of youth in local government.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

Listen in as we speak with former member of the Florida House of Representatives and election law professor at St. Thomas University J.C. Planas.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

In episode #7 of the Civic Action Podcast, we interviewed Hector Abad, the chair of the Town of Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board. Hector is a cancer survivor and champion for education our community. Learn about his path and what he did to become a community leader. Use his advice to learn how you can become a community changemaker as well.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

In episode #6 of the Civic Action Podcast, we interviewed Luisa Santos, the youngest-ever elected school board member of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Luisa is a pioneer for student leadership and change-making and has developed many programs for students to get involved in civic and government at the local level. Let's see her thoughts on the importance of student civic engagement and her advice on how one can get involved more in their community.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.

In episode #5 we interviewed Andrea Ivory, Founder and Executive Director of the Women's Breast & Heart Initiative. The Women’s Breast & Heart Initiative (WBHI) is a nonprofit outreach organization piloting whole communities toward lifesaving, preventive self-care. Through boots-on-the-ground education and screening initiatives, WBHI vigorously encourages and supports social responsibility, community organization and the good health of all women. We spoke about how students can join the mission by becoming an advocate for the specialty license plate.

Thank you for watching the Civic Action Podcast! The Civic Action Podcast is a grant-funded initiative of Virtutem Populo, Inc. Virtutem Populo remains committed to its mission of promoting civic engagement and community involvement through programming, advocacy, and education.