Leguizamo Does America

Though often overlooked, Latinos have been making contributions to the culture of NYC all along.

John tours Miami's historic sector, Little Havana, with community leader Marvin Tapia, and discusses the influence of the Cuban community in Miami. He then meets with the Borges family who through hard work and sacrifice have turned their dreams of owning a Cuban Coffee shop into a reality. John later meets with actor, playwright and activist Carmen Pelaez to discuss the stronghold the right wing has had on the Latino community and the future of Miami politics. John then visits the arts district of Miami which has earned that title largely due to the Latinx artists who have painted its impressive walls. He speaks with Evoca1, a muralist whose ideology has influenced him to tell complex Latinx stories through his art. Later, John meets up with singer/songwriter Elena Rose to discuss the current state of Latin music, Miami as its hub, and the future for her and other women in the industry. John also visits Peruvian chef Juan Chipoco at his flagship restaurant, Ceviche 105 to learn about his journey to becoming a mogul in the industry, by honoring the food of his homeland. Lastly, John meets up with comedian George Harris, who has built community and gives immigrants a safe place to laugh and rejoice in stories that reflect their personal experiences.

John first meets up with actor Diane Guerrero to chat about her experiences as an immigrant, author and activist over some of the best Latin food in town. He then meets up with Congressman Ritchie Torres from the Bronx to discuss the lack of Latinx representation in government and what can be done about it. John also speaks with Maria Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino to discuss the importance of voter registration within the Latinx community and how that will increase representation. And he goes canvassing to register potential voters with the help of activist and Vice President of Unidos US, Clarissa Martinez De Castro. John then takes a tour of the Smithsonian's Latin American History exhibition with Founding Director of The National Museum of the American Latino, Jorge Zamanillo to discuss the need for a proper museum that more accurately tells the Latinx story in this country. Later, John meets up with poet/activist Quique Aviles, who has lived in D.C. since he was a child and fights against gentrification through the spoken word. Lastly, John visits the Gala Theater and the immigrant kids who find their voices and their strength through performance art.

John meets up with renowned actor Michael Peña to learn about what it was like to grow up in the Midwest, while still attempting to retain his Mexican culture. By participating in a Peña family barbeque, John sees first-hand just how much family and friends who become family, help keep traditions alive and create safe spaces for those making a new home in a strange land. John also meets up with Congressman Chuy Garcia, who works tirelessly to bring about equity in government on behalf of the Latinx community. John then connects with Mario Hernández Jr. who shows him around the borough of Pilson, where political murals (a tradition started in Mexico) line the streets. He then talks with local artists who are passing on the tradition of political art to the community through printmaking. John has a chat with some of Chicago's queer youth activists who are actively working to provide education and a safe environment for their peers. Lastly, John gets the lowdown on Humboldt Park from community leader, Mike Oquendo. He introduces John to the Humboldt Park firemen who are entirely Latino and break all stereotypes through their community activism.

John starts his travels by visiting with up-and-coming trans reggaeton artist, Villano Antillano, who is changing the face and the rules of the game with her music and her existence. John then goes to La Perla to learn about Bomba music, its origins and how its legacy of resistance still lives on. John then travels to a sacred ceremonial place of the indigenous Taino people, where he meets an elder and discusses the issue of statehood and what that could mean for their tribe as they fight to retain their ancestral lands. Next John journeys to Ponce where he meets up with community activist Javier De Jesús Martínez to learn about how this city is attempting to recover from various natural disasters by working together and retaining their customs. John meets with locals from Ponce who are doing just that. Through honoring the ancient artform of mask-making, the people of Ponce keep their pride intact. Finally, John travels to Bacoa, one of the world's top restaurants and best kept secrets. With the help of Chef's Raúl Correa, René Marichal and Xavier Pacheco, John learns how they are reimagining Puerto Rican food, while honoring the food they ate as children.

John starts his trip by driving to east L.A. with native Angelino, George Lopez. While eating George's favorite tacos, the two discuss George's journey to becoming a star and the importance of allyship. He then shares a cup of coffee with legendary director, Robert Rodriguez who shares how he broke all the rules to forge his own path to success. John then meets up with the L.A. Opera's new Resident Conductor, Lina Gonzalez-Granados who has broken through the fine arts glass ceiling and is making sure to bring her Latin flare to the world of Opera. John then sits down with one of the few Latina Showrunners in the television business, Gloria Calderón Kellett. They share laughs and discuss her professional journey, the lack of representation behind the camera and her continued fight to change the industry from within. John then heads to the Hollywood hills to meet up with Afro Latina, actress/producer, Gina Torres to discuss how colorism has affected her life and career. Finally, John takes some of today's hottest Latinx powerhouses to a Michelin star Mexican restaurant in Inglewood to discuss all things Hollywouldn't, and what needs to happen to truly address the industry's representation problem.