NextGen America Taps Progressive Powerhouse Antonio Arellano as new VP of Communications

“Antonio is a proven progressive leader who centers community and culture. His bold and fearless grassroots organizing approach speaks to a new era of courageous leadership, emerging from a political climate that is actively demanding fresh perspectives on key issues,” said Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, President and Executive Director of NextGen America. “His innovative use of digital media and narrative shift work to advance economic equity, racial and climate justice, and efforts to safeguard our democracy will allow NextGen to continue delivering high-impact campaigns that yield real change on behalf of our nation’s youth,” Tzintzún Ramirez added.

For over a decade, Antonio has been leading strategic communications, culturally competent community engagement, grassroots organizing, and youth empowerment at the local, state, and national levels. As the Press Strategist for the ACLU of Texas, he was responsible for the media relations work of the leading civil rights organization in the state by influencing how voting rights, equality for LGBTQIA+ persons, immigrants’ rights, smart justice, and reproductive freedom were framed in print, radio, television, and online media.

Ahead of the historic 2020 presidential election and decennial Census, Antonio led the largest Latino civic engagement nonprofit organization in Texas. He has worked in coalition with state and national youth-led partners to expand and solidify a robust youth-focused voter infrastructure across the country.

His efforts contributed to record-breaking turnout among young voters during the 2018 midterm and 2020 presidential elections. Antonio also helped shift the narrative that has historically depicted young voters as dormant by launching innovative programs to uplift the voices of this growing and powerful electorate. Named one of the most influential Latinos in the United States by Hispanicize, Antonio’s work has been featured in MSNBC, TIME magazine, Newsweek, The New York Times, USA Today, Univision, and Telemundo, among others.