Julissa Arce

Vincent Remini

Ms. Arce is appearing courtesy of the Pima County Public Library

Julissa Arce is a political commentator, speaker, writer and best-selling author of "My (Underground) American Dream" and "Someone Like Me." She was named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women of 2017. She is a leading voice in the fight for social justice, immigrant rights and education equality. She is a contributor for Crooked Media, CNBC and a host for Crooked Conversations Podcast. Her first book is currently being developed as a television series with producer and actor America Ferrera.

Prior to becoming an advocate, she built a successful career on Wall Street working for Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch, and had seemingly achieved the American Dream—yet she was not part of what defined American.

Julissa immigrated to America from Mexico at the age of 11 and was undocumented for almost 15 years, some of them spent rising to prominence on Wall Street. In order to help other young people in similar circumstances, Julissa co-founded the Ascend Educational Fund (AEF). AEF is a college scholarship and mentorship program for immigrant students in New York City, regardless of their ethnicity, national original or immigration status.

She serves on the board of directors of the National Immigration Law Center. She was officially sworn in as an American citizen in August of 2014. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two cats, Nikko and Pancho.

They Persisted: A Journey Toward Home

Jean Guerrero, Julissa Arce and Reyna Grande share their tears and triumphs in the search for the American Dream and a new home.

Nuestras Raíces/Presentation Stage (Seats 150)  
Sun, Mar 3, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Nuestras Raices
Signing area: Pima County Public Library/Nuestras Raíces/Craft Tent & Signing Area (following presentation)  

Panelists: Julissa Arce, Reyna Grande, Jean Guerrero
Moderator: Ivonne Ramirez

The Forgotten: The Latinx in America

Authors Ed Morales, Julissa Arce and Ilan Stavans discuss race, culture and politics in America through the oft-forgotten but powerful Latinx lens.

Nuestras Raíces/Presentation Stage (Seats 150)  
Sun, Mar 3, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Nuestras Raices
Signing area: Pima County Public Library/Nuestras Raíces/Craft Tent & Signing Area (following presentation)  

Panelists: Julissa Arce, Ed Morales, Ilan Stavans
Moderator: Nancy Montoya

Books:

Someone Like Me: How One Undocumented Girl Fought for Her American Dream

Nuestras Raices
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
September 2018
ISBN 9780316481748
320 pages
$16.99, INSTORE

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A remarkable true story from social justice advocate and national bestselling author Julissa Arce about her journey to belong in America while growing up undocumented in Texas. Born in the picturesque town of Taxco, Mexico, Julissa Arce was left behind for months at a time with her two sisters, a nanny, and her grandma while her parents worked tirelessly in America in hopes of building a home and providing a better life for their children. That is, until her parents brought Julissa to Texas to live with them. From then on, Julissa secretly lived as an undocumented immigrant, went on to become a scholarship winner and an honors college graduate, and climbed the ladder to become a vice president at Goldman Sachs. This moving, at times heartbreaking, but always inspiring story will show young readers that anything is possible. Julissa's story provides a deep look into the little-understood world of a new generation of undocumented immigrants in the United States today--kids who live next door, sit next to you in class, or may even be one of your best friends. More/less