Prince George’s County has a large Latino community, with 21.2% of the population identifying as Latino or Hispanic, the highest concentration in the state. Much of this population is primarily Spanish-speaking; more than 13% of households reported speaking Spanish at home, more than 31% of which also had limited English proficiency. In some majority-Hispanic/Latino communities like Langley Park and East Riverdale, most residents report speaking a language other than English at home (87.8% and 68.4%, respectively).
Azucena Fernández, a Chispa Maryland community leader. Image by Azucena Fernández
However, according to Chispa Maryland community leader Azucena Fernández, these communities have historically been underrepresented in government and decision-making spaces, especially related to the environment.
This is especially significant because the county is disproportionately impacted by the effects of pollution and climate change. In fact, the vast majority of the county—including the areas with the highest Latino population—is considered to be both “underserved” and “overburdened.” Residents suffer from multiple sources of pollution, including proximity to power plants and other industrial facilities. These environmental burdens accumulate, impacting residents’ health and well-being.
Chispa Maryland was created to support communities like those in Prince George’s County. Established in 2014, the Chispa Maryland program of the Maryland LCV Education Fund works to close health and environmental disparities through community participation, leadership development, and empowering Latino Marylanders in the fight against environmental injustice and climate change. Chispa Maryland connects with Maryland’s Latino residents, offering environmental education and strengthening their capacity to advocate for healthier and more resilient communities.
Azucena Fernández learned about Chispa Maryland in 2024, when her friend recommended that she attend one of their community workshops. Previously, Azucena worked as an agronomist, professor, and in environmental education, teaching youth about nature and the impacts of pollution and climate change. She was searching for a new way to stay involved with environmental issues, and Chispa Maryland was a perfect fit. Azucena joined her local Chispa Maryland committee—a local group where community members meet to learn about environmental issues, develop leadership skills, and work together to protect their communities—where she quickly became a community leader.
Soon, Azucena brought her experience working with youth to Chispa Maryland and helped found the Chispa Maryland Youth Leadership Academy, a program designed to teach Latino Prince George’s County high school students about the environment, environmental justice, and advocacy. Through lessons about cumulative environmental impacts, current county policies, and the relationship between public health and the environment, Azucena and the Chispa Maryland team helped the students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to actively participate in their communities and advocate for a more sustainable future.
The Academy didn’t just focus on classroom learning; it also created opportunities for students to put into practice what they had learned. Through interactive role-play activities, students acted as legislators, community members, and advocates, developing important skills to perform legislative advocacy. They learned how to be spokespeople for their communities and how to push for policies that protect the environment and public health in the long run.
“Advocacy and legislation are important tools to show environmental issues through the real stories and experiences of the community. For this reason, young leaders were trained to be able to raise their voices and bring their personal experiences in front of decision-makers.” -Chispa Maryland leader Azucena Fernández (Translated from Spanish)
The Academy’s first class of 27 students graduated in October 2025. Soon after, they began to apply their new advocacy skills. In November 2025, four students and one Chispa Maryland “promotora,” supported by 18 other local committee members and Academy alumni in attendance, testified before the Prince George’s County Board of Education to push for a transition from polluting diesel school buses to cleaner electric buses. Chispa Maryland’s “promotores” are community leaders trained to connect, educate, and support members of their communities, helping them involve themselves in issues that impact their health and environment.
Chispa Maryland Youth Leadership Academy’s graduation ceremony. Image by Chispa Maryland (October 2025).
In February 2026, ten graduates of the Academy joined Azucena and other Chispa Maryland leaders for Maryland League of Conservation Voters’ annual Lobby Day to advocate for the CHERISH Our Communities Act. This legislation sought to change the state permitting process to consider the effects of cumulative environmental impacts (for both the Maryland Department of Environment and the Public Service Commission). The students spoke to state legislators, explaining how their communities suffer from cumulative impacts and how the CHERISH Act would help to protect them.
“Lobby Day brought the community the opportunity to directly express their concerns in front of legislators and ask for their support to promote and pass laws that protect their communities and the environment.” -Chispa Maryland leader Azucena Fernández. Translated from Spanish
Chispa Maryland Youth Leadership Academy graduates and other Chispa Maryland advocates in front of the Maryland State House on Lobby Day. Image by Chispa Maryland (February, 2026).
Unfortunately, despite the passionate advocacy of the students and the pressing need to address cumulative impacts, the CHERISH Act did not pass. However, with the support of Chispa Maryland and Maryland LCV, the students are prepared to continue their advocacy and leadership during the next legislative session, ensuring that the voices of the Latino community are heard.