This reflection was written by Tiffany Calderon Leon, a fellow in Meridian’s Center for Diplomatic Engagement. In 2008, a musical called In the Heights premiered on Broadway that centered around the lives of residents in Washington Heights, New York. As a theatre enthusiast, I got my hands on the original Broadway cast CD from the library as soon as possible. With the CD in hand, I popped it into our old radio and listened attentively. For the first time in my life, I felt seen. It was not the first time Latine people were Broadway stars—Chita Rivera was a...

This post was written by Ryan C. Scherba, Associate Program Officer at Meridian’s Center for Diplomatic Engagement.  The inaugural Summit for Democracy in December 2021 brought together over 100 nations which made over 740 commitments to strengthen democracy in three main areas: defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights. Hosted by the United States, these nations made commitments to ramp up efforts to support democracy against authoritarian and non-democratic regimes that threaten peace and security regionally and globally. Meridian is an ardent proponent of democracy. It is core to us as an institution....

This post was written by Rodrigo Moreschi, Meridian Center for Diplomatic Engagement Fellow.   May 6 marks 98 years since the founding of the U.S. Foreign Service — a courageous group of men and women who serve as stewards of the United States’ interests abroad and are an integral player in strengthening and promoting its bilateral and multilateral relationships. Foreign Affairs Day is an occasion to recognize what our diplomats and foreign affairs employees do at home and in more than 170 countries to advance America’s security, prosperity, and values.   Meridian supports Foreign Service employees and their diplomatic...