When Francisco Moya received a call from the President of Ecuador on his first election night, the weight of the moment crystallized. Standing beside his emotional father just steps from his childhood home in Corona, Queens, Moya had become the first Ecuadorian-American elected to public office in United States history.

From organizing a neighborhood watch at just 15 years old to transforming Roosevelt Avenue's safety landscape as a City Council Member, Moya's journey embodies authentic community leadership. The podcast reveals his hands-on approach to governance, including a midnight walk with Mayor Adams that kickstarted a comprehensive neighborhood restoration program, reducing crime by 20% and revitalizing local businesses within a year.

Moya's work with co-ops and condos demonstrates his practical problem-solving abilities. When Dorie Miller, a large co-op in his district, faced foreclosure, he brought all parties to the table and mediated a solution that saved residents—many of them seniors—from losing their homes. ”When you save someone's home,” a local pastor told him, ”you're a hero for life.”

Perhaps most fascinating is Moya's 13-year quest to bring professional soccer to Queens. The soon-to-be-completed 25,000-seat stadium at Willets Point represents more than just sports—it anchors a transformative development with 2,500 affordable housing units, a new school, and 14,000 union jobs. For the boy who learned soccer in the shadows of Shea Stadium, this achievement completes the transformation of what F. Scott Fitzgerald once called the ”Valley of Ashes” into a vibrant community hub.

Listen now to discover how deep community roots, cultural pride, and persistent vision can reshape a neighborhood while creating pathways to opportunity for generations to come.