The Story of U.S.

Ana Rodriguez, Managing Director of the SMU Cox School of Business Latino Leadership Initiative, shares her story as the daughter of Peruvian and Mexican immigrants -- and how she's working to provide opportunities for other first-generation Americans in the Dallas area.

Jesse Iwuji, NASCAR driver and Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves, learned his work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit from his Nigerian-born parents. After playing football for the U.S. Naval Academy, Jesse deployed on active duty -- and returned home ready to hustle just as his parents did. 

Ali Noorani, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum, grew up in California after his parents immigrated from Pakistan. He shares the stories of the moments in his life that made him passionate about immigration and immigration policy and discusses how to build coalitions on polarizing topics.

Comedian Gus Constantellis brings his Greek immigrant heritage to his act on stage and online. The native New Yorker reflects on his upbringing surrounded by Greek culture and family and shares stories from his rock and roll-loving father and Greek-speaking mother.

Anita McBride served three in presidential administrations: Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush – and through each of them, she carried her Italian heritage close to her heart.  She shares the stories of her family, including when her father's immigrant journey came full circle visiting his daughter in the White House.

Alan Smolinisky's late father, an immigrant from Argentina, taught Alan to love baseball and taught him that America is the greatest Nation that has ever existed. Alan shares how his father continues to inspire him as he raises his own kids -- and how he honored his father by bringing that love of baseball full circle when he became a co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Daphne Palasi Andreades, author of the upcoming novel "Brown Girls," explores how her parents' bravery influenced her own path -- and how the large factors like policy can affect individual families for generations.

Sara Paxton shares how her connections to Hollywood began with her Mexican immigrant mother, grandmother, and grandfather -- who worked his way from busboy to maître d at the famed Brown Derby restaurant.

Fred Ortiz, Lead Architect of Globe Life Field -- the home of the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team-- discusses his family's immigrant journey from Mexico to the United States.  Fred shares how important it was for him to design a place where families can form memories of going to the ballgame together -- and the emotions he felt when he took his own family through the stadium for the first time.