Empowering Student Voices: Filming the Google x HACU Latinx Student Leadership Summit in Chicago
Some projects remind you exactly why you got into this work.
In April 2024, we were brought in to document the 8th Annual Google Latinx Student Leadership Summit — a three-day event hosted at Google's offices in Chicago, Illinois, produced in partnership between Google and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
This wasn't just another corporate event. It was something much more meaningful than that.
The Event
Fifty undergraduate Latinx student leaders from across the nation gathered at Google Chicago, sharing a passion for technology and a shared identity that the tech industry has historically underrepresented.
The theme — "Juntxs: Our Latinx Journey in Tech" — set the tone immediately. It was a celebration of culture, identity, and the unique strengths these students bring to the table. Over three days, they participated in hands-on workshops, shared stories in Familia Groups, connected with the Latinx Googler Network (HOLA), and engaged with representatives from HACU and the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (CAHSI).
The summit was built around four core goals: equipping students with skills for successful tech careers, cultivating their unique Latinx leadership styles, showcasing Google's commitment to the Latinx tech talent pipeline, and deepening connections between students and Google's diversity initiatives.
What We Captured
There was something electric about the energy in those rooms. Students talked openly about breaking generational molds, creating space for people of color in tech, and building their own leadership paths. Every conversation felt like a new beginning.
We focused on three things behind the lens:
The intensity of breakout sessions where ideas, culture, and technical skills intersect
The laughter and camaraderie within Familia Groups — the genuine human connections forming in real time
The quiet pride when students shared how they were becoming bridges into higher education and tech spaces
We weren't just documenting a conference. We were capturing people owning their stories.
Why This Event Stands Out
The Latinx Student Leadership Summit isn't a typical conference. It's not just about networking — it's about identity, belonging, and empowerment. Going in, I expected typical workshop footage. What I found was something deeper: students creating genuine community, building confidence, and embarking on leadership journeys that will shape higher education and the tech industry for years to come.
As a bilingual, first-generation Latino filmmaker, this project hit close to home. These are stories I understand from the inside. And that connection — between the storyteller and the story — is what makes the difference between footage that documents and film that resonates.
Does Your Organization Host Events That Change Lives?
If your event brings together bold voices, cultural identity, or real transformation — no matter the industry — we'd love to help capture it. Authentic storytelling can take your event from "just another conference" to something people remember and share.
We work with nonprofits, educational institutions, corporations, and community organizations across Chicago and the Midwest.
