Today, we have Daniel Gonzalez on the show. Daniel is a Central Valley native originally living in the rural community of Easton on the outskirts of Fresno. They are passionate about youth-driven policy change and decision-making, and have a strong commitment to local issues.

Daniel is a proud alum of Fresno State with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, a minor in Philanthropic Community-Based Leadership, and a certificate in Applied Sociological Research. They completed the Humanics@Fresno State program and are a former Bulldog Pride Fund Harvey Milk Humanics Hope Award Scholar.

As a Senior Program Coordinator at the Youth Leadership Institute, Daniel oversees over 60 youth participants in Fresno’s youth journalist and storytelling programs: The kNOw Youth Media, Multilingual Storytelling and Journalists of Color. They organize weekly meetings with young people building up their capacity in storytelling and community advocacy. Additionally, Daniel coordinates an annual youth-led multimedia positive social norms campaign around youth gambling prevention with the Betting On Our Future, a project of the California Friday Night Live Partnership.

On weekends, you can find Daniel at local drag shows alongside friends, watching horror movies, or listening to countless hours of pop music.

Youth Leadership Institute

Books: 

When We Rise: My Life in the Movement Cleve Jones

Thinner Stephen King

The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man's World Alan Downs