Evaluators as Advocates- Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Approaches and Considerations for Working with Latine Communities

Abstract Information: In this session, the panelists will share strategies for authentically engaging with Latine participants and communities as advocates in internal and external evaluations. They used the following questions to inform each of their strategies and to guide the panel’s discussion, 

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  “ What does advocacy look like in your evaluation work?” 
  



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  “In what ways can evaluators be advocates on the micro, mezzo, and macro level, specifically in terms of working with Latine communities?” and
  



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   “What foundational structures, including CREE approaches, are important to building room for advocacy, specifically with Latine communities?”
  

Panelists will discuss strategies and examples used to engage Latine participants in Culturally Responsive and Equitable Evaluation (CREE) and other approaches supporting advocacy. The session will highlight the importance of advocacy at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Their examples include building relationships with communities, learning insights into their community wealth, carrying out meaningful and relevant evaluation activities with participants, uplifting the stories and experiences of Latine communities, and providing accountability to those who seek to support these communities. The panelists will also discuss leveraging positional power as evaluators. Strategies include navigating pushback from stakeholders, funders, and interveners. Likewise, they will share strategies to leverage partnerships/allyships to center Latine community voices. Altogether, this panel will focus on setting advocacy as a foundation for evaluations, enabling evaluators to work with Latine communities and build capacity for participants, staff, and local partners so they all can become evaluators themselves and advocates for positive change.