Aid Sergio's Recovery and Academic Journey

Hello, my name is Sergio G. Barrera. I am a native of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, a first-generation Chicano, and a junior academic. For the past 15 years, I have dedicated my life’s work to uplifting and advocating for the people of the Texas-Mexico borderlands with my scholarship, teaching, and mentorship. I have worked with undocumented youth, migrant farm workers, and asylum seekers on the border and have continued to volunteer my talents of dancing and choreographing for all good causes I have been able to. In recent years, my work has focused on supporting Latino and Black men by mentoring and developing curricula for Latino men in in Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and volunteering to teach theatre and expression workshops in prisons in Michigan and Brazil with the Prison Creative Arts Project at the University of Michigan. Like many academics, the road to academia has been insightful and life-changing, but not easy. I write and teach about family and community formations. Yet, I struggle to navigate the complexities of asking for support from my community when I am in need, for I have been conditioned to think of myself as solely a provider. I was offered a tenure-track position at San José State University in Chicana/o Studies earlier this year. It seemed like all I had worked for in school was finally paying off. A week after the offer was made, I performed with a non-profit LGBTQ+ cheerleading team that I volunteer with in Austin, Texas. Unfortunately, I suffered a severe injury to the arm that resulted in a critical bicep and forearm surgery. Thus, this fundraiser is to help me with two significant events happening in my life as I heal from arm surgery and prepare for a career shift from my home state of Texas to California in pursuit of a dream opportunity with limited financial assistance from the institutions.

Thank you all for taking the time to learn about me and my story. I sincerely appreciate any support you can provide during these times! En comunidad, in community.

Sergio G. Barrera

For direct contributions:

Venmo: @Sergio-Barrera-4

CashApp $sergiogb