In this personal interview with Latino USA, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez walks us through the neighborhood of Elmhurst, Queens, where her office is located and talks about what it’s like to go from running a grassroots political campaign as a young Latina to becoming a nationally recognized political figure.

Also, an interview with author Erika L. Sánchez, the director of youth policy at the Community Service Society of New York, and the founder of the Girl Mob.