Last month I attended Welcoming Interactive in Detroit, where nearly 1,000 immigrant and refugee professionals gathered for three days of learning and exchange. I was there to showcase To the State of the Good Life, a short documentary I directed about Raúl Arcos Hawkins, a DACA recipient and executive director of the Multicultural Coalition in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Raúl’s story begins in flight—from bandits in Mexico to the meatpacking plants of Nebraska—and evolves into one of quiet heroism as he helps others navigate life in a country that hasn’t yet decided if he belongs. After the screening, Raúl and I took questions. The room was silent, moved.
To the State of the Good Life doesn’t offer solutions—it offers perspective. And sometimes, that’s where change begins.
As a director, my goal isn’t just storytelling—it’s impact. We also created a free media support kit for community groups: the film, a discussion guide, and promotional tools. We want this story to spark new ones across the country. Learn more at www.stateofthegoodlife.com.
ATG helps mission-driven organizations harness the power of story—through film, VR, and digital strategy.
Photos courtesy of Stefan Petrmichl of Ashtewan Photography.
