SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — On July 6, 2026, TV Santa Barbara welcomed legendary civil rights leader Dolores Huerta to its studios for a remarkable day of conversation, inspiration, and community engagement.

The 96-year-old labor leader and co-founder of the United Farm Workers visited TV Santa Barbara to record a special episode of Sueños to Success, hosted by acclaimed educator, author, and youth advocate Dr. Victor Rios. Together, they explored leadership, education, perseverance, civic engagement, and the power of young people to shape a better future.

For TV Santa Barbara, the visit was more than a television recording—it was a powerful reminder of the role community media plays in preserving conversations that matter. As Santa Barbara County’s nonprofit community media center since 1975, TV Santa Barbara provides a trusted platform where important voices can be heard through broadcast television, streaming, podcasts, and digital media.

Throughout the day, students, educators, community leaders, elected officials, and supporters gathered at the station to meet Ms. Huerta following the interview. The opportunity to hear directly from one of America’s most influential civil rights advocates created an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance.

Dolores Huerta has spent more than seven decades fighting for workers’ rights, voting rights, educational equity, and social justice. Her lifelong message—that every individual has the ability to create positive change—continues to inspire new generations of leaders. Her visit to Santa Barbara served as both a celebration of that legacy and a call to continued civic engagement.

The recording also highlights the unique value of long-form community media. While much of today’s content is designed for quick consumption, community television creates space for thoughtful conversations that educate, preserve history, and strengthen civic life. These are the stories that deserve to be documented and shared—not only for today’s audiences, but for future generations as well.

TV Santa Barbara extends its sincere appreciation to Dr. Victor Rios, the Sueños to Success production team, the students who participated, and everyone who helped make this historic visit possible. We also thank the many community partners, public officials, and guests who joined us in celebrating an extraordinary day of dialogue and inspiration.

We invite you to enjoy the photo gallery above, featuring highlights from Dolores Huerta’s visit to TV Santa Barbara. From behind-the-scenes moments in the studio to conversations with students and community members, these photographs capture a day that reflects the very best of community media and civic storytelling.

The complete interview with Dolores Huerta and Dr. Victor Rios will premiere soon on TV Santa Barbara Channels 17 and 71 and will also be available through TV Santa Barbara’s streaming platforms, video-on-demand library, YouTube channel, podcast platforms, and social media.

About TV Santa Barbara

Founded in 1975, TV Santa Barbara is the nonprofit community media center serving Santa Barbara County. Our mission is to empower people to make media that matters by providing access to professional production resources, media education, and platforms that connect our community through local stories. From broadcast television to streaming, podcasts, and digital media, TV Santa Barbara is powering community storytelling.