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\n\tA new Latino organization wants to harness the power of culture to drive political change. Rolling Stone c<\/em>an exclusively announce on Wednesday the launch of Maremoto<\/a>, an organization dedicated to amplifying Latino stories and turning influence into impact, founded by community organizer Jess Morales Rocketto.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cMaremoto was born from a simple but transformative idea: that culture is not a side note to change, it\u2019s the engine of it,\u201d Morales Rocketto tells Rolling Stone<\/em>. \u201cWe\u2019re building something that doesn\u2019t fit into traditional boxes: part media company, part creative studio, part movement hub, because that\u2019s what it takes to reach our people where they actually are.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tMorales Rocketto, a senior political operative who has led national efforts for Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Kamala Harris, will leverage the organization to produce storytelling that uplifts Latino artists and creatives and shape narratives that have \u201cbeen ignored or distorted for far too long.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cFor generations, we\u2019ve been told to wait our turn, to make ourselves smaller, to fit into someone else\u2019s idea of who we are. But the problems we\u2019re facing are massive: inequality, extremism, censorship, the erosion of rights,\u201d Rocketto says. \u201cIt\u2019s about meeting the moment with courage, with creativity, and with collective power\u2026 Because if we don\u2019t build it for ourselves, no one else will.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAccording to the organization, Maremoto already has earned multi-million-dollar backing, and has hired 21 staff members to implement the program. Prior to their launch, Morales Rocketto worked directly with celebrities such as Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Desi Perkins, Danny Ramirez, Cristo Fernandez, and Arturo Castro on previous campaigns<\/p>\n \n\tBacking the org\u2019s launch are several stars, including Gina Torres and Wilmer Valderrama<\/a>, who have voiced their support for Rocketto\u2019s work in advocacy for Latinos. Torres tells Rolling Stone<\/em> that she believes Maremoto has the right approach to \u201cmake real, sustainable change,\u201d lauding Morales Rocketto\u2019s \u201cunapologetic commitment\u201d to Latinos.<\/p>\n