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Our origin story
Before there was Arizona Barrio Stories, there was a simple idea: everyone comes from somewhere. For many Latino and Chicano families, that place is remembered as the barrio. Others may call it a neighborhood, a community, a hometown, or simply home. Whatever we call it, the places where we grow up help shape who we become. They are where memories are made, traditions are passed down, friendships are formed, and a sense of belonging begins.
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ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦
FOUNDED ON RESILIENCE
ABS was founded in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by Gil Bivens, a retired hospitality executive whose memories of growing up in Phoenix's historic Golden Gate barrio inspired a mission to preserve Arizona's Latino and Chicano history.
Like many former residents, Gil carried a deep sense of loss after his family and countless others were displaced in 1976 when the City of Phoenix used eminent domain to redevelop the neighborhood near Buckeye Road and 16th Street.
REFLECTION BUILDS
THE FUTURE
During this time of reflection, Gil recognized that many of the stories of Mexican American pioneers and families whose contributions helped shape Arizona long before and after statehood were missing from public records and often overlooked in traditional historical narratives.
Determined to preserve those stories and ensure they would not be forgotten, he founded Arizona Barrio Stories.
Although rooted in the story of Phoenix's Golden Gate barrio, ABS quickly grew into a statewide effort to document and celebrate the people, neighborhoods, traditions, and histories that have shaped Latino and Chicano life throughout Arizona.
Watch the Gil Bivens
interview with PBS
BACKGROUND
Arizona Barrio Stories (ABS) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the rich history, culture, and lived experiences of Arizona's Latino and Chicano communities.
Through storytelling, digital archiving, education, and community engagement, we ensure that the voices, memories, and contributions of our gente are preserved and shared for generations to come.
COMMUNITY
We cultivate pride and cultural connection throughout the ABS community
By sharing stories of our vanished barrios, we restore collective memory and bridge generational divides—helping new generations connect with their rich cultural heritage. As our membership grows, so does our storytelling vault, expanding with each contribution and deepening the legacy we preserve.
Advocacy
A spirit of advocacy is embedded throughout our digital broadcast content, reflecting ABS’s commitment to delivering accurate, practical information that empowers lives.
Through our diverse programming, we feature professionals and subject-matter experts from all walks of life who serve as dynamic hosts and contributors. Signature shows such as The Irma Payán Show, La Plática, and Salud, Dinero y Amor (AARP Arizona Hispanic Connection) offer timely insights on issues that matter—from health and finance to relationships and community well-being.
Recognition
Arizona Barrio Stories (ABS) reaches a collective monthly audience of nearly 500,000 across multiple digital streaming and social media platforms.
Our content appears on outlets including Latino USA TV and Media, Facebook, Cox, Instagram, Chicano Hollywood, YouTube, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, TikTok, LinkedIn, and others.We welcome inquiries from sponsors, merchants, partners, and organizations interested in tailored marketing collaborations. ABS offers unique opportunities to connect with diverse audiences through purposeful storytelling and cultural engagement.
Educate & Inform
We collect, preserve, and share knowledge about our gente with a global audience.
In addition to historical documentation of barrios, our growing repository features rich, descriptive content on Indigenous traditions, cultural arts, local history, landmarks, and notable buildings and structures. This material is conveyed through compelling personal narratives and insightful dialogue with subject matter experts.To date, we have produced approximately 400 interviews and streaming segments—each contributing to a living archive that elevates community memory, identity, and resilience.
ORAL HISTORIES ✦ ART & CULTURE ✦ NEIGHBORHOOD LEGACIES ✦ ARIZONA VOICES ✦