What Is GraciasVida?

GraciasVida is a media advocacy and production and training non-profit with a mission to:

• Promote the Practice of an independent journalism in the public service.
• Foster cross-cultural understanding.
• Create forums for increased North/South and South/North media exchanges.
• Use the communication media to promote a more just and peaceful world.
• Provide diverse audiences with multiple perspectives on issues affecting Latinos and Latin America.

Recent Projects from GraciasVida

After the Wars/ Despues de las Guerras
An award-winning 12-part radio documentary series produced in English and in Spanish by U.S. radio reporters and their Central American colleagues–achieving a unique international collaboration. Awarded best radio production in Latin America award by the International Federation of Journalists (FIP).

Latino USA
The radio journal of news and culture distributed by NPR: Maria Martin was the founding producer of this award-winning pioneer program covering U.S. Latinos and Latin America for English-language audiences.

Noticias de Mi Gente
Under a Knight International Journalism Fellowship, GraciasVida is helping build this pioneering effort using digital technologies to inform and link together Guatemalan transnational communities. It also provides rural and indigenous Guatemalan journalists with a forum for their work and a vehicle to share their stories.

What Do They Say About GraciasVida?

"...A unique perspective on all things Latin, both here at home and in Latin America..."

"...because of her honesty, integrity, empathy, and tech savviness, Maria and GraciasVida bring into focus the plight of many of the forgotten voices of our sisters and brothers in a very human way."

"...authentic stories that engage, provoke, enlighten and create opportunities for different endings..."

"...offers thoughtful reporting which respects its subjects and enlightens the listener. GraciasVida offers journalism and radio experience; cultural sensitivity; intimate and profound knowledge of Mexico, Mexican-American, Latino, Latina-American and border culture; inovative information; a unifying voice willing to relocate to dangerous places to get the true story on rebels, heroes, and victims; and true caring for the problems of its subject. Gracias Vida offers invaluable resources for teaching cultural heritage, awareness, and pride in deeply complicated issues, people, and their history; it gives Latinos living in the U.S. a broader picture of their culture and their worth."

"...highly produced programming which explores stories not covered in the mainstream media–stories which allow the general public to understand Latinos and Latin America.

"GraciasVida offers holistic, intelligent and diverse programming that engages the imagination and inspires progressive action–programming which contributes to the bettement of the Latino community and enriches all of us.

"In this day of corporate lowest-common-denominator programming, GraciasVida's productions stand out as brain and soul food!!!!"

"GraciasVida offers fabulous insights. It is top quality reporting with a human connection which leaves audiences with a sense of true understanding and knowledge of the people and countries they're hearing about."

María Emilia Martin is a pioneering public radio journalist with over two dozen awards for her work covering Latino issues and Latin America. She started her career at the first community public radio station owned and operated by Latinos in the U.S. She has developed ground-breaking programs and series for public radio, including NPR's Latino USA, and Despues de las Guerras: Central America After the Wars. A recipient of Fulbright and Knight Fellowships, she has extensive experience in journalism and radio training, in the U.S., Mexico, Guatemala, Bolivia and other countries. Martin holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from the Ohio State University, and currently heads the GraciasVida Center for Media and GraciasVida Productions based in Austin, Texas and Antigua, Guatemala.

Contact Gracias Vida

Email: maria@graciasvida.org

In the United States:
The GraciasVida Center for Media
2007 Alta Vista Avenue
Austin, Texas, 78704
Phone: (512) 971.0347

In Guatemala:
Centro GraciasVida Para los Medios de Comunicación
Callejón del Burrito #7
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala
Phone: (011502) 7832.7066