WHO WE ARE.
Stories Untold US started at the heart of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, where 17 innocent lives were lost on February 14th, 2018, due to a cruel act of gun violence. The vast majority of the students who survived the shooting felt like the media gave the platform to a select group of students, and, in hopes of representing and diversifying the conversation, the idea of lifting one another’s voices became the common norm. Stories Untold US did not start because of the differences in the color of our skin, gender, age, beliefs, or trauma; it was started because we all have one thing in common, a story that deserves to be heard. Together as one voice, people affected by gun violence decided to speak out; influencing others to share their own personal stories as well.
Carlitos Rodriguez
FOUNDER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, 22-year old Carlitos “Swaggy Way” Rodriguez strives to build a platform for people to speak freely, understanding that their story will serve a larger purpose to drive change, inspiration, and healing for themselves and the millions listening.
Due to the corruption, dangers of living, and sleepless nights of anxiety in Venezuela, Carlitos immigrated to the United States with his family when he was 8 years.
Carlitos felt safe in his new home of Parkland, Florida, but unfortunately that drastically changed when a gunman opened fire in his high school, killing 17 people and injuring 17 more on February 14th, 2018.
After the shooting, Carlitos became vocal about his experience and found a passion in contributing to the affected people of the community. He received an invitation from Paola Ramos to speak at the Harvard University LatinX Conference, where multiple influential organization leaders listened and supported Carlitos’ proposal of a new survivor led project that amplifies the voices of people who have experienced gun violence in the United States. Stories Untold US launched three days later on April 2nd, 2018.
MEET THE TEAM
