About this Project

This Zócalo special project, funded by the California Wellness Foundation, aims to tell the story of Salinas—whose motto is “Rich in Land, Rich in Values.”—from the ground up. Through stories mostly told by locals, we learn about a play on bracero history that brought residents closer together, a patchwork of fields growing salad greens in the heart of the city, and the dreams of a girl from a tough housing complex. Through an intimate account of its drumline classes, a history of what farmworkers accomplished there, and photos from the …

More In: News & Notes

Jia-Rui Cook Takes the Editorial Helm at Zócalo

Change Comes as Zócalo’s Syndicate Grows and New Partnerships Begin

Zócalo Public Square, the Los Angeles-based blend of daily ideas journalism and live events, has promoted managing editor Jia-Rui Cook to the position of editor. Cook will guide Zócalo’s editorial …

Zócalo Expands Its Los Angeles Presence

We’re Opening a Satellite Office in Boyle Heights, Launching a Groundbreaking L.A.-Focused Initiative with Metro, and Expanding Our Partnership with L.A.’s Leading NPR Affiliate, KCRW

Zócalo Public Square has built a national profile, syndicating our editorial content to more than 160 media outlets around the country and partnering with global brands including the Smithsonian Institution …

Zócalo Goes National

Announcing Two New Partnerships with Global Brands—the Smithsonian Institution and the J. Paul Getty Trust

Zócalo is proud to announce the launch of significant new partnerships with two major global brands: the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. and the J. …

Announcing a New Column by Gregory Rodriguez

‘Imperfect Union’ Will Explore American Identity and How Diverse Societies Cohere

When America talks about itself, the country and media usually start by reducing people to ethnic stereotypes and categorizing ideas by ideological camp. Gregory Rodriguez, Zócalo Public Square’s publisher and …

Introducing Our New National & Science Editor, Jia-Rui Cook

Cook Joins Zócalo From NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory

We’re proud to announce that Jia-Rui Cook is joining our team as Zócalo’s new National & Science Editor. Cook, a graduate of Harvard College who earned her master’s at Oxford …