For Mercedes, community organizing is about more than making changes in government. Community organizing is about creating a better and more verdant world where any and everyone can find their place. From her time in college becoming more prominently aware of social injustice, to her time on the frontlines pushing towards the world she envisions but can not yet see, Mercedes' life has been marked by defining moments. It was a momentary encounter with her grandmother and three words spoken that simultaneously deconstructed and created a new world for her, as she learned about a past that had been hidden for her entire life. In our conversation, Mercedes opens up about how her past has both influenced her present path and informed her about the future world she's a vibrant part of building.