Back in 2020, Patrick Hidalgo founded an organization called the Miami Freedom Project. It aimed to transform the South Florida political scene by: “developing a strong base of young progressive Latinx Miami leaders.”
But Hidalgo died suddenly and his friend Ana Sofia Pelaez continued his legacy. The project focused on key issues like immigration reform, affordable housing and voter engagement.
Florida International University student Sofia Hidalgo was hired to transform the group’s outreach through a stronger digital presence. Hidalgo aimed to bring fellow FIU students into the fold.
Hidalgo runs a weekly interview segment called “This Week in Miami,” which keeps followers updated on local events and opportunities on its Instagram, which has 27,000 followers. “It shows what everyone is doing in Miami from a local perspective,” she explained, emphasizing the value of community involvement.
Co-founder Pelaez reflected on her journey with the organization: “I thought I would just work on a political campaign, but I stayed engaged,” she said.
