Growing up in Philadelphia, I experienced firsthand how shared backgrounds and close communities build unshakable bonds.

As a young Black child, my first experiences with the Latino community were with my Puerto Rican classmates, neighbors, and friends. Even then, I could see reflections of my own family’s culture in theirs. The church, a deep respect for our elders, the role of food in every gathering, and even the ways we faced the unspoken but well-understood prejudices of the time connected us. Though we may have spoken different languages at home, there was a kinship there, an unspoken solidarity rooted in shared hopes and struggles.

In those days, Philadelphia was shaped by the legacy of Frank Rizzo, a Police Commissioner and Mayor whose policies and attitudes toward communities of color were often divisive and hostile. His tenure left lasting scars, not only on my psyche but on the communities around me. Despite that, we found strength and resilience in each other and in leaders who were like us. People like Diego Castellanos, Angel Ortiz, and the Honorable Nelson Díaz became familiar names and faces, just as much as the Black leaders who inspired us. They were our champions, our role models, our heroes. They never sought to highlight our differences as barriers but instead celebrated our commonalities as the foundation of a more united and resilient community.

Philadelphia has always been my home, and it has taught me that communities are not monolithic; they are woven from a variety of histories, cultures, and values. That diversity makes us stronger. We, as Philadelphians, are united by the shared memories, battles, and dreams that are just as significant today as they were when I was a child.

Watching today’s divisive and offensive language in politics, the dismissive attitudes, and the refusal to take responsibility from those who seek to lead us feels deeply unsettling. It’s more than a political issue—it’s a moral one. True leaders own their words and actions, even their mistakes, and they offer the humility of an apology when needed.

When I think about who represents my values, who is fit to lead with integrity, honesty, and accountability, it becomes clear. Kamala Harris’s message of unity and shared strength embodies the values that my community has shown me: the importance of embracing and celebrating what we have in common.

On Election Day, my vote will be a vote for the kind of leadership that cherishes these shared experiences, just as I do.