Carlos Calbillo was born in Magnolia in 1949 and grew up in Pasadena. He began his activism at San Jacinto Community College when he was kicked out for not shaving his beard. In his early college years, he is a part of SDS and the Worker's World Union. Mr. Calbillo became involved with PASSO after meeting Leonel Castillo at an MLK Solidarity March in the Third Ward in 1968. Soon, he is leading voter registration drives in Pasadena, working at the Chicano Training Center, and for VISTA. In the 70s, Mr. Calbillo gravitates to the more millitant Chicano Movement where he becomes involved in writing Papel Chicano and protesting HISD integration policies. He also joins the movement in other areas of the country including California and Colorado. In the latter half of the 70s, Mr. Calbillo began working at a TV station, prompting him to begin a show called "Reflejos del Barrio" and create local documentaries including one about Joe Campos Torres.