Things Are Not “Peachy” for Latinos in Atlanta, LIBRE Is There to Help

Rising cost of living and inflation, improving wages and creating more jobs, and lowering the cost of health care are among the top issues for Latinos in Georgia. The Latino population continues to grow in the state. With a 1.1 million population, Latinos are now the third-largest racial or ethnic group in Georgia.

The LIBRE Initiative is embedded in Latino communities helping them prosper! Stefanie Zaenker is strategic director for LIBRE in Atlanta where Latinos continue to be a major engine of growth in the 11-county Atlanta region.

Q: Why do you work at LIBRE?
Stefanie:  I transitioned into politics a few years ago after 18 years as the drummer for a touring heavy metal band.

Q: Wait! What?
Stefanie: I get that reaction a lot! In college I joined a band, Caustic Casanova, and it turned into a big passion and almost full-time career. I got to tour across the country dozens of times playing wild rock shows and I’ll always cherish that time – it taught me a lot about the world and society. Then, after working as the Latino Coalition Director for a couple U.S. congressional campaigns I knew I wanted to capitalize on the energy and enthusiasm I felt in those roles by continuing to work to empower the Latino community and to save our country’s traditional values.

Q: Why is LIBRE’s mission so important?
Stefanie:  Latino families are struggling in this inflationary economy. Often, they are so busy trying to feed their kids by working multiple jobs that they don’t have time to educate themselves on why the American dream feels almost out of reach. Organizations like LIBRE offer real-life, tangible tools the community needs to be able to succeed and prosper. The Latino population of the U.S. is growing very rapidly so helping us prosper will only ensure the future prosperity of the entire country.

Q: What value does LIBRE add to the Latino community?
Stefanie:  LIBRE adds another kind of voice to the crowded field of leftist Latino organizations. We offer a different perspective – one rooted in the principles of freedom and limited government – that is best suited to help Latino families, businesses, and communities prosper! We offer educational opportunities and perspectives that Latinos aren’t getting anywhere else. We offer a chance for Latinos to connect their traditional values to their local legislators and local governments. We offer friendship, family, and community.

Q: What satisfaction do you get from working at LIBRE?
Stefanie:  I feel empowered working alongside such passionate and principled colleagues knowing that we are all committed to empowering Latinos to realize their American dream. I love meeting new members of the community and teaching them about the benefits of limited government and free markets. It is so refreshing and fulfilling to see them nod in agreement almost always and to realize they just hadn’t had the opportunity to learn about it before.

Q: What drives you?
Stefanie:  I grew up deeply embedded in the Hispanic community of central Virginia. My mom is a Guatemalan immigrant who moved to the US decades ago to achieve her American dream and did. She became a US citizen and had a long and fulfilling career as a microbiologist. I am inspired by her story and the stories of all her friends I was exposed to when I was growing up. I want to help reinforce the values of hard work, faith, family, and freedom within the Latino community!

Q: What changes have you seen in the community?
Stefanie:  Latinos are Latinos are now the third-largest racial or ethnic group in Georgia and they are starting to wake up to the misrepresentation of conservatives by the left. They are starting to realize that democrats’ reckless spending policies don’t work, and only drive up the cost of living. They are starting to realize that leftists don’t have their children’s best interests at heart. Most of the Latinos I’ve spoken with in Georgia are starting to realize that the policies rooted in freedom and preserving the American dream are the policies that will empower them to succeed.

Q: Why is it important that LIBRE exists?
Stefanie:  We are providing an alternative message to the one Latinos are used to being bombarded with! Because of our resources and principled policy positions that give Hispanics more freedom to prosper—not less, LIBRE is uniquely positioned to help Latinos in the U.S. in many beneficial ways. We need to continue to educate, empower, and engage and the sky will be the limit for Latino families!

Interested in getting involved with The LIBRE Initiative in Atlanta?
Email Stefanie at SZaenker@belibre.org.