Nahomi Sotelo Navarro is on a mission to break down the barriers that hold Latino students back from reaching their full academic potential. A proud first-generation college-bound student, Nahomi knows firsthand the challenges that come with navigating an education system that wasn’t built for everyone to succeed. Her research exposes systemic gaps—like the low participation of Latino students in Advanced Placement courses—that quietly but powerfully shape college readiness and future opportunities.

In her TEDx talk, Nahomi combines hard-hitting data from Washington State and national reports with a passionate call to action, urging educators, policymakers, and communities to rethink how they identify, support, and challenge all students. She envisions an education system where rigorous coursework is not a privilege for a few, but a pathway open to everyone.