Editorial

Hi friends,

We hope you enjoyed a fun Halloween and a reflective Día de los Muertos as we settle into the autumn season. I’m writing this while preparing to lead a trip to Álamos, where we’ll take part in this beautiful communion with those who have departed—held in one of the oldest cemeteries in the state of Sonora.

As we reflect on life and renewal, we’re also hopeful that the recent rains have awakened the dry tropical amapa trees surrounding Álamos from their drought dormancy. With luck, they’ll soon paint the hillsides in sweeping strokes of fuchsia, yellow, and white, set among towering columnar cacti.

If that happens, it should be just in time for our Valentine’s Day excursion to the pueblo mágico—a true seasonal gift.

This past October, I had the opportunity to visit Prescott, the former capital of the Arizona Territory, for the first time to compete in the state finals of the Moonshot Rural Pitch Event. This “Shark Tank”-style nonprofit program helps level the playing field for rural Arizonan entrepreneurs, offering mentorship, exposure, and the chance to win prizes.

Out of 20 participants from across rural Arizona, we’re proud to share that we received one of only five competition awards—a $1,000 Hustl Prize. We’re deeply encouraged that our mission of bringing Arizonans and Sonorans, Americans and Mexicans together continues to resonate. Recognition like this strengthens our resolve to keep sharing the 98% of good news about civil society in the borderlands—the stories you won’t hear on the nightly news.

Enjoy this new edition, and we wish you and your family only the best this holiday season. 

Alex