Adela Vasquez was born (1949) and raised in Odessa, Texas. Her family was able to move to the Anglo area of West Odessa when she was a child. Vasquez attended the predominantly Anglo School, Zavala Elementary. She later went to Ector High School, where she graduated in 1967. Vasquez attended Odessa College, where she met her husband Gilbert Vasquez, and then attended Texas Tech University. Vasquez also obtained an MA degree in psychology at Texas Tech University. Vasquez held various leadership positions in Ector County ISD and Region 18.

Art Leal was born and raised in Odessa, Texas. Leal graduated from Odessa High School, after which he joined the U.S. Army and served in the first Gulf War. He graduated from Odessa College and the University of Texas at the Permian Basin. Leal ran for mayor of Odessa in 2008. Leal has been Ector County Democrat Precinct 406 Chair, is a member Mexican American Democrats Texas, has organized first Cesar Chavez Day March in Odessa, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Declamations in Odessa, Civic Participation Workshops in Odessa, of Election Debates/Forums in Ector County, multiple 1st Amendment Demonstrations in Odessa, is past Chairman Una Voz Unida of Odessa, is past Board Member Black Chamber of Commerce, is past Ambassador Odessa Chamber of Commerce, is past Board Member City of Odessa Planning Board of Adjustments, is past Chairman Odessa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and is past Co Chair March of Dimes. Finally Leal help start the Brown Berets Odessa (the city’s second Brown Beret group).

Mr. Mendez was born and raised in the San Marcos area, where he attended the "Mexican school". He reminisced on the pervasive discrimination against Mexican Americans during his youth. His studies at Texas State were interrupted by the draft during the Korean War years. Mr. Mendez was a member of a political alliance between Mexican Americans, liberal Anglos and African Americans in San Marcos; this coalition, later called Hays County Independent Party, helped elect some of the first minority public officials in the city. Mr. Mendez was the first Mexican American trustee in the San Marcos school board; during his tenure, he pushed for the integration of the local schools. In the mid 1970s, a cross was burned in his front lawn; the act was attributed to the Ku Klux Klan. Mr. Mendez also reminisced on a major boycott of the San Marcos schools in 1972.

Frank Partida was born in 1928 in Magnolia Park, an Mexican-American enclave in Houston, Texas. He talks about his experiences with stark segregation in Magnolia Park and the greater Houston area and how his grandfather, Elias Ramirez, was a founder of Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez and LULAC Council #60. Partida was involved in the Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations, LULAC Council #60, and Viva Kennedy clubs. He talks about his political experiences and later work in local War on Poverty programs and union organizing. He also speaks about the first Spanish language radio station in Houston, KLVL, and how Mickey Leland and Barbara Jordan facilitated bridges between the Mexican-American and African- American communities.

Humberto Barrera discussed growing up in Robstown and his career as a boxer, which took him to Rome in 1960, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Team.

James Payne discussed his trajectory from living in a segregated town to becoming a lawyer and returning to a changed Beaumont. He spoke about his experiences with racism, discrimination, and the ways in which he overcame those obstacles.

Recounted role as a leader of the Letter Carrier's union.

Juan Parras was born in Big Spring in 1949. He moved to San Antonio to attend seminary and attended St. Mary's in 1968 before transferring to the University of Houston in 1971. He began working at the Harris County Welfare Department where he led a walkout. Mr. Parras discusses unionizing and his 15 year career working with the International Union and other unions. His latest activism revolves around environmental justice issues and is the founder of Tejas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services (TEJAS), an organization working in Houston since 2006.

Ms. Cortez was born and raised in El Paso, Texas in the Bel Air area. She was responsible for her siblings and her home from a very early age. Shortly after finishing her studies, she worked as a parole officer; after she became privy to several adverse working conditions, she increased her involvement in the local union. Ms. Cortez moved to Austin in the 1990s, and has worked for Travis County ever since.

Roen Salinas is from Austin, Texas. He is one of the founding members of Ballet Folklorico Aztlan de Tejas, an internationally known dance troupe. In his interview, Salinas speaks about the role of the cultural arm of the Chicano movement.