SDLC Speaker

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a dynamic speaker, advocate, and author dedicated to reshaping the future through the lens of community, art, and activism. He has emerged as a powerful voice for his generation, championing issues at the intersection of climate justice and social equity.

Martinez has delivered multiple TED talks and keynote speeches at the United Nations General Assembly, where he has been a spokesperson for high-profile events since age 13. He was formerly the youth director of Earth Guardians, a global environmental activist network. He has also been a plaintiff in the groundbreaking federal lawsuit involving 21 youth suing the U.S. government for failing to protect their rights by perpetuating the climate crisis. His advocacy garnered him recognition on the Time 100 Next list in 2019.

Martinez released his first book, We Rise, at just 16, followed by Imaginary Borders at 18. His writings have resonated across classrooms nationwide and have been featured on multiple bestselling lists.

He has been a guest on high-profile shows such as The Daily Show and Real Time with Bill Maher, as well as being featured in publications and platforms such as Rolling Stone, National Geographic, Upworthy, The Guardian, Vogue, CNN, MSNBC, Netflix, and Nickelodeon. He has also hosted podcasts and spoken at hundreds of colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada. His unique ability to connect culture with activism allows him to share the message of his Indigenous roots in a way that inspires and mobilizes others.