Emilia Gonzalez Avalos is a mother, artist, activist and immigrant. These roles have shaped her activism and advocacy as executive director of Unidos MN, an organization dedicated to community organizing, immigrant rights, leadership development, and social and economic justice across the state.

During the height of Operation Metro Surge, she witnessed firsthand what the power of possible looked like in her community and at El Mercado Central in Minneapolis, where the Unidos MN offices reside.

"Organizing in general lives in that space, the possibility, the potential of people, the potential of our power coming together and the potential that our systems can actually meet people in their inequality," said Emilia.

In her eyes ordinary people have the power to make a difference when they have a shared vision and are willing to make courageous decisions about their conditions and are willing to change them.