Emily Aide Cota is the Program and Leadership Assistant at the MILPA Collective, a proud Indigenous Chicana with roots in Michoacan and Baja California. Raised in Salinas, California, she’s been a community organizer since her youth. Growing up in a system-impacted family, and as the eldest of five, movement work is integral to her identity. An artist at heart, Emily blends her creative talents with activism, believing art sparks revolutionary change and community unity in the fight for liberation. 

Within MILPA, Emily leads youth programs like Xinachtli and Telpochcalli, focusing on cultural rites of passage, healing, and movement building. She actively participates in coalitions and fellowships, amplifying youth voices and advocating for equitable resource allocation. Her dedication to cultural preservation and youth empowerment makes her a vital force within MILPA and her community.