Sheila Cruz-Morales is a stories associate for the Advocacy and Outreach department at American Progress. Cruz-Morales is a dedicated activist and community organizer passionate about advancing social justice through impactful storytelling and digital advocacy, focusing on the rights of working-class people of color and gender-marginalized people across the United States. Cruz-Morales is a proud first-generation college graduate who holds a Bachelor of Arts in government with a minor in women and gender studies from Georgetown University. At Georgetown, Cruz-Morales was part of the distinguished Georgetown Scholars Program and received the Lena Landegger Community Service Award.
As an advocate, Cruz-Morales has played a pivotal role in amplifying the voices of those unheard, leveraging the power of storytelling to shed light on the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. Her work as an immigration and education equity activist motivates her to mentor, assist, and empower students who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color to pursue their higher education goals and break systemic barriers. Cruz-Morales’ advocacy work has been featured in Teen Vogue, The New York Times, “The Daily,” and Telemundo. Cruz-Morales embraces her creativity as an integral part of her expression. She channels her passion through various mediums—including art and poetry—to convey powerful dialogue and catalyze change.