Building What Comes Next

It’s Wednesday, and I’m writing to 1,055 of you through our main newsletter, a 9.4% increase from four weeks ago. We are also at a 68% open rate, a 2.3% increase from last month. I share these data points because when we started The Latino Newsletter last May, we said we would share the startup journey with you.

I am also aware that the last two weeks of U.S. political news have been dizzying, and their impact on Latino communities across the country, Puerto Rico, and Latin America is real. Not a minute goes by where I don’t get news about what we are all experiencing. Our newsroom is still incredibly small (hi!), but it won’t stay silent. We will keep doing our best with what we have. So keep sharing about what you are reading and experiencing. It’s important for our community to uplift each other. As the founder and publisher of this site, our inbox is open. We want to highlight your stories.

Still, this outlet is a nonprofit organization, so we also said we would always share big-picture strategy plans as we keep growing, generate revenue, and raise money. That’s today’s goal.

We have accomplished enough that I am now finalizing a 2025 strategic plan to present to The Latino Newsletter's board for formal approval, but I am not going to hide the thinking behind it.

First, here’s what we’ve accomplished in the last 10 months:

• Surpassed 1,050 newsletter subscribers and over 950 on LinkedIn.

• Built a 12,000+ following across Bluesky, TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook, Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

• Successfully launched Season 1 of our podcast with 5,000+ listens.

• Published stories from two dozen Latino writers covering U.S. politics, Puerto Rico, immigration, local news and culture.

• Partnered with New England Public Media for the Latino Election Project.

• Selected as an inaugural member of the Latino Media Consortium.

• Raised $9,696 from 114 supporters, hitting 48% of our now $20,000 goal.

• Secured fiscal sponsorship through the Tiny News Collective, aong with funding support from the Latino Community Foundation and Hispanic Federation.

• Successfully initiated process to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

• Established a strong operational foundation to keep costs low.

• Made major media appearances.

And here’s where we’re going in 2025:

• Expand content and programming: More original reporting, a Local Latino News Distribution Channel, and continued coverage of issues that matter with a variety of voices.

• Grow our audience: Increase newsletter subscribers while keeping it free and accessible.

• Launch Season 2 of our podcast: Building on last year’s momentum.

• Strengthen financial sustainability: Secure more funding, scale our monetization, secure transformational grants, and grow our donor base.

• Engage our community: Deepen partnerships, elevate community voices, and create spaces for connection.

• Build long-term capacity: Finalize our 501(c)(3) status, expand staffing, and set up structures for sustainability.

It might sound simple but this is now the smart growth phase, and as founder of this outlet, we are on the right path. If you have any thoughts or questions, hit me up.

We plan to make our 2024 financials public by the end of February.

We are just getting started.

Peace,
Julio

Donation Update

We will continue to share our donation link for the month of January. We want to keep The Latino Newsletter accessible without paywalls. You can give any time to us here. Any amount, whether one-time or monthly, will keep us going!

What We’re Reading

Trump to Build Mass Detention Camp at Guantánamo: The Washington Post reports that the Trump administration plans to open a detention facility at Guantánamo Bay for 30,000 migrants. The decision revives legal and human rights concerns tied to the site’s history.

Menendez Sentenced to 11 Years: A federal judge handed former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez an 11-year sentence after he was convicted of accepting bribes and acting as an agent of Egypt. The sentencing marks one of the harshest penalties for corruption in modern U.S. politics.

600,000 Venezuelans Lose Deportation Protections: The Trump administration has revoked deportation protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, leaving many at risk of removal within months. Advocacy groups are warning of mass displacement and economic hardship for families.

Trump’s Deportation Agenda and Latinidad: In a deeply personal piece for the New York Times, journalist Jean Guerrero explores how Trump’s immigration crackdown is reshaping Latino identity in America. She writes about the fear, resilience, and political awakening taking shape as communities brace for what’s ahead.

About the Author

Julio Ricardo Varela is the founder and publisher of The Latino Newsletter.

Do you believe in creating new journalism lanes for Latinos and Latinas? Do you believe that U.S. mainstream outlets will never understand our community? Consider donating to The Latino Newsletter. Any little bit helps to keep this newsletter free and accessible to all. ¡Gracias mil!