There’s never been a more pivotal moment for Latinos to flex our collective power, and move our community and our country forward. This idea was at the heart of the talk I gave recently at TEDx Washington Heights.

The United States has 50 million Latinos, the third largest and wealthiest Latino community in the world. At a time when a growing chorus of naysayers are predicting America’s demise, Latinos continue to be optimistic about our future. Despite our economic difficulties and educational needs, Latinos profoundly believe in America, and it is because of that, that I think that America’s best days actually lie ahead.

While many see India and China as the world’s most promising emerging markets, they’re overlooking Latinos in the U.S., an emerging market that has educational and health advantages. The emerging Latino market is young, hard working and optimistic. This is what we need to turn our country around.

Read the full story at The Huffington Post

Maria Teresa Kumar is the executive director and co-founder of Voto Latino.