Julio Salgado

Julio Salgado, an undocumented, queer artivist, will visit UNC Charlotte as the 2017 OUTSpoken guest speaker. Salgado will deliver his keynote address at 7:00pm Monday, October 16, in McKnight Hall in the Cone University Center, followed immediately by a reception in the Lucas Room.

Salgado is the co-founder of DreamersAdrift.com and project manager for CultureStrike. His status as an undocumented, queer artivist has fueled the contents of his visual art, which depict key individuals and moments of the DREAM Act and migrant rights movement. Undocumented students and allies across the country have used Salgado’s artwork to call attention to the youth-led movement.

As highlighted on his website, Salgado’s work has been praised by OC Weekly’s Gustavo Arellano, KPCC-FM 89.3’s Multi-American blog and the influential journal ColorLines. In July 2012, Salgado and other undocumented activists joined Jose A. Vargas on the cover of Time Magazine. Salgado graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a degree in journalism. To see more of his artwork and other collaborations, you can go to juliosalgadoart.com.

Given recent national attention on immigration issues in the United States, including the recent White House decision to end DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Salgado’s visit is timely.  His work has sought to increase the visibility of undocumented queer Latinxs, including both the resilience inherent in this community and the heightened fear and uncertainty experienced by those in it.