Former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and White House Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden, Julissa Reynoso, shares how growing up in the South Bronx and Washington Heights shaped a trailblazing career in law, diplomacy, and now — playwriting. What does it take to go from a seven-year-old immigrant arriving in the South Bronx to serving as U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States? For Julissa Reynoso, the answer lies in the streets of New York City, a relentless commitment to community, and the belief that government can — and must — be a force for good. In this landmark episode of Uptown Voices, hosts Octavio Blanco and Led Black sit down with Ambassador Reynoso for a wide-ranging conversation that takes us from Dominican Republic to the halls of the Obama and Biden White Houses. We explore how advocating for immigrant rights at the Northern Manhattan Immigrant Rights Coalition shaped her legal and diplomatic instincts, how the diversity of New York City became her first classroom in international relations, and why she chose to tell her high-stakes diplomatic story through the unexpected medium of theater. Ambassador Reynoso opens up about her play Public Charge, which chronicles her experiences during the Obama administration — including navigating the 2010 Haiti earthquake response and the secret negotiations that helped reestablish U.S.-Cuba ties. She also speaks candidly about the current political climate, the targeting of immigrant communities, the prospect of military action against Cuba, and the timeless advice she offers to young people of color who find themselves as the only one in the room. This is an essential listen for anyone who believes that where you come from doesn't limit where you can go. ⏱ TIMECODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold Open — Ambassador Reynoso on the immigrant community and the responsibility we share00:58 Welcome & Show Milestones — Host Octavio Blanco announces 500-subscriber goal and fiscal sponsorship by Maysles Documentary Center03:05 Introducing Ambassador Julissa Reynoso — From Dominican Republic to Washington Heights — a daughter of uptown03:55 From the Heights to the Heights of Diplomacy — Led Black asks: How does a girl from DR rise to the pinnacle of leadership?05:27 Growing Up in the South Bronx — Arriving in New York City in 1982 — the neighborhood that shaped a worldview06:15 Washington Heights & Columbia Law School — Moving uptown, building community roots, and discovering foreign policy07:17 Advocating for Immigrant Rights at NMCIR — How frontline legal work for neighbors fueled a life of public service09:01 From Diplomat to Playwright — The story behind Public Charge and why theater was the right vehicle11:54 Why Theater Over a Memoir? — The power of live performance and the transformation of storytelling on stage13:05 Street Smarts & Secret Diplomacy — How New York City life prepared her for high-stakes international negotiations15:11 Government as a Force for Good — Can we still believe in public service? Staying optimistic under the Trump administration16:00 The Immigrant Community Today — Profiling, targeting, and discrimination — and the collective responsibility to do better17:07 Cuba at the Brink — The Senate's blocked war powers resolution and what military escalation means for the Caribbean19:45 Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden — Living through COVID-19 and January 6th — and what she gained from the East Wing21:05 Advice for Young People of Color — On imposter syndrome, humility, relationships, and showing up in rooms where you're the only one23:21 Closing & Final Words — Gratitude, encouragement, and a call to subscribe and support Uptown Voices 📋 FULL SHOW NOTES About Ambassador Julissa ReynosoJulissa Reynoso is a Dominican-American lawyer, diplomat, and now playwright who has served at the highest levels of the U.S. government. Born in the Dominican Republic, she immigrated to the United States at age seven, settling first in the South Bronx before later moving to Washington Heights when she attended Columbia Law School. Her career spans community legal advocacy, presidential appointments, and international diplomacy. She served as U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay during the Obama administration, and was later appointed U.S. Ambassador to Spain and Andorra by President Biden — one of the most significant diplomatic postings in the Western world. Before that posting, she served as Chief of Staff to First Lady Dr. Jill Biden during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history, encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic and the January 6th Capitol attack. Her play, Public Charge, draws on her firsthand experience navigating U.S. foreign policy during the Obama years, including the U.S. response to the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the groundbreaking secret negotiations that led to the reestablishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba. Key Themes in This Episode The immigrant experience as preparation for global leadership How New York City's radical diversity is a masterclass in diplomacy Using the arts to tell complex, underrepresented stories The power and limits of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America and the Caribbean Standing firm as a woman of color in predominantly white spaces Why humility and long-term thinking matter more than quick wins The ongoing struggle for dignity and safety in the Latino communityOrganizations & References Mentioned NMCIR — Northern Manhattan Immigrant Rights Coalition: Community legal organization where Ambassador Reynoso began her advocacy career Maysles Documentary Center — Uptown Voices' new fiscal sponsor, enabling tax-deductible contributions Uptown Collective — Founded by Led Black; YouTube channel approaching 500 subscribers Columbia University — Where Ambassador Reynoso attended law school and first settled in Washington Heights Public Charge — Ambassador Reynoso's play about her experiences in the Obama State Department U.S.-Cuba normalization — The 2014-2016 effort to reestablish diplomatic relations after decades of estrangement 2010 Haiti Earthquake — A pivotal moment in U.S. Caribbean foreign policy that features in Public ChargeNotable Quotes "I never assume that I'm done. I always keep pushing myself." — Ambassador Reynoso"My view of foreign policy and politics — they were carved and molded by my time in Washington Heights." — Ambassador Reynoso"New York City is a very extraordinary experiment in how to make different people talk to each other." — Ambassador Reynoso"The profiling, the targeting, the discrimination, the hate is not okay. We collectively have a lot of responsibility." — Ambassador Reynoso"Military ...
