Giovanna Negretti
Giovanna Negretti
Executive DirectorOíste?
Giovanna Negretti was brought up in a culture of protest. As a girl, she lived off the coast of Puerto Rico on the island of Vieques, which was used until 2003 by the US Navy as a bombing target and training ground. Fishermen, teachers, and housewives mobilized to protest the bombing of their home. Moving to Massachusetts to attend college in 1992, Giovanna became involved in politics, serving as senior legislative aide for State Senator Dianne Wilkerson at a time when there was no visible Latino political leadership. She was later a strategist to Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign and an adviser to Deval Patrick in the Massachusetts 2006 gubernatorial race. Her experience as a political activist, knowledge of the legislative system, and passion for involving Latinos in politics enable her to work effectively with both those who are and aren’t in power. Giovanna believes that increased Latino political engagement is key to changing the systems that have barricaded Latinos’ access to a healthy quality of life; ultimately, the public involvement of the nation’s fastest-growing demographic group will create a more cohesive social fabric for all Americans.
In 2000, Giovanna co-founded ¿Oíste? (translation: Have You Heard?), which provides Latinos leadership development, education, and training to equip them to run for office. "Latinos in Massachusetts felt disconnected and distrustful of government," she says. "But at the same time, I realized from speaking to people that there was a hunger for representation and a desire to participate." In Massachusetts, ¿Oíste? has spurred increases in Latino voters, candidates, and elected and appointed officials. As Giovanna expands ¿Oíste? to other states, her goal is twofold: to move the national conversation about Latinos beyond the issue of immigration, and to unify Latino advocacy groups that have been working in isolation. “Movements are built by creating a sense of urgency coupled with inspiring a sense of responsibility, without losing your integrity,” she says. Giovanna has been part of the National Boricua Human Rights Network since 1997. She has organized rallies and demonstrations in Washington, DC, including a National Day of Solidarity with the People of Vieques in 2000. She graduated magna cum laude from Emerson College with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and holds a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
For more on Giovanna Negretti:
New Post Met With Suspicion
By Russell Contreras, Boston Globe
June 1, 2008
Melendez Won't Run for Mayor
By Russell Contreras, Boston Globe
March 27, 2008
A City Wants IDs for Voters
By Maria Sacchetti, Boston Globe
March 10, 2008
