Matthew Cárdenas: How Representation and Authenticity can Uplift Communities in Philadelphia

Master of Public Policy

Matthew Cárdenas is a second-year graduate student in the Master of Public Policy program at Temple University’s College of Liberal Arts. Through his work as a theater actor, SoulCycle instructor, City Council communications assistant, and freelance community activist, Matthew has demonstrated a consistent commitment to improving the lives of those around him—particularly individuals from marginalized communities. He aspires to serve as a role model for these communities and to ensure they are meaningfully represented in the legislation he hopes to help to shape.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity. 

What do you hope to achieve in the world of public policy with your degree from Temple? 

I really want to make sure that I’m uplifting communities who haven’t previously had their voices amplified. I think that public policy is often written by people who do not stand to benefit the most from the legislation that they create. It’s really important that we have a diverse array of perspectives examining these policies. Otherwise, we cannot serve everybody who needs to be served. Those who need it the most are often left out or minimally involved in the policymaking process, and that’s not cool to me. I want to make sure that policy is being created with these communities in mind, where they are the architects rather than just a consideration.  

You’re clearly passionate about addressing the needs of underrepresented groups, and in particular the Queer and Latino communities. What kind of message do you hope to send to young members of these communities? 

I’m very lucky in that I was raised by parents who taught me to have a thick skin, to walk into every space like I belonged there. The Queer Community is a strong, resilient group of people, and we’re constantly told that we shouldn’t use the power at our disposal. I refuse to allow another generation of queer kids to grow up feeling as though they have to hide everything that makes them special. I want people to look to me and say, “If he can be open and proud, then so can I”.  

That also applies to Latinos in this country. Moving from a predominantly white suburb in Missouri to New York City and discovering beautiful Latino cultures all around me made me realize that my identity was a superpower. I hold myself such a high standard of pride in who I am because I know there are people out there who feel like they have to suppress their own identities, and I don’t want that. People need to witness leadership that reflects their lived experience. That’s how we create a society that allows us to flourish without feeling that our identity holds us back. 

How have the personal challenges you’ve faced influenced your approach to your work?  

I think that my appearance poses a lot of blockades that some of my colleagues don’t have in terms of being taken seriously in my work. From fitness instruction with SoulCycle, to acting, to policy, I’m always treated as everyone’s little brother. It can feel really degrading because I know what I’m talking about and I’m constantly having to prove myself. But those experiences have taught me that I can let my work speak for itself rather than “proving myself” based on how I look. I’m extremely passionate about what I do, and I’ve learned that people pay more attention when I am authentic to myself. I hope I can inspire people to approach their work with more authenticity because it can only make you stronger. 

I am a gay, Mexican American, trans-racial adoptee, who was born in Texas, moved to Missouri, then moved to New York, and the whole time, I’ve fostered my passion for helping people. I’ve had a very non-traditional trajectory in coming to Philadelphia, but I allow my exposure to varied perspectives to guide me so that I do not approach my work with a limited scope of what can actually improve the lives of others.  

How has your time with Temple and the city of Philadelphia contributed to your personal growth? 

One of the coolest parts about going to Temple is walking through campus and seeing the extreme diversity within friend groups that, quite honestly, I didn’t experience growing up in Missouri. That sense of normalcy that exists not only at Temple, but across all of Philadelphia, defines the city as an example of what true diversity can foster and how it enhances everyone’s presence in their community. It’s only through creating connections with people who have these different perspectives that we can fully understand the world around us.  

Getting into the classroom and working with the incredible staff in Temple’s Public Policy department reminds me that the yearning to know more about the world is a vital part of policy making. I had a misconception about what getting a master’s degree entailed, I never thought that I was academically focused enough to undergo it. However, because I found Temple and the professors that I have worked with, I was able to reimagine my perception of what a graduate student is.  

Do you have any advice for prospective public policy students coming into Temple? 

Philadelphia has such a robust set of active community programs, with members who are looking to fight to make their lives better. It might take some research, but there are so many ways to get involved. If our purpose in public policy is to improve the quality of life in our communities, we should volunteer and get involved as much as we can. It is only through understanding the people who live here that we can serve them in the best possible way. There are so many people already on the ground doing it, so go meet them.