Casa Margo Communications Group / About
Tony
Aguilar
Founder & Host · Advocate · Author
Tony Aguilar — Founder, CMCG
Biography
A Voice Forged in the South Bronx,
Heard Around the World
Tony Aguilar brings a perspective based on his experience and accomplishments in the public square. Born and raised in the South Bronx, he has been an advocate, organizer, public speaker, writer, and workshop leader for over 30 years.
As a community organizer with the Industrial Areas Foundation, he served as the associate organizer in the building of Nehemiah Homes in the South Bronx and the efforts to improve Lincoln Hospital. He went on to become the lead organizer for economic development in Southeast Queens, before taking on environmental cleanup and passage of a prevailing wage ordinance in Jersey City, New Jersey.
As Assistant to the Lutheran Bishop of New York, Tony created the Urban Leaders Institute, which trained congregational leaders, and the Urban Empowerment Fund, which provided grants to congregations working with persons in poverty.
He is a member of the President's Club of the Chicago Council for Global Affairs and the Foreign Policy Association. He is also featured in Jim Rooney's book, Organizing the South Bronx.
Memberships & Affiliations
- President's Club — Chicago Council for Global Affairs
- Foreign Policy Association
- Founding Member — Commission of Religious Leaders
- Board of Directors — Council of Churches for the City of New York
- Inter-church Center
Career
Four Decades of
Public Service
1990s – 2000s
Community Organizer
Industrial Areas Foundation
Associate organizer in the building of Nehemiah Homes in the South Bronx and the efforts to improve Lincoln Hospital. Went on to become lead organizer for economic development in Southeast Queens.
2000s
Environmental & Labor Advocate
Jersey City, New Jersey
Led environmental cleanup initiatives and secured passage of a prevailing wage ordinance — a landmark labor victory for working families.
2000s
Assistant to the Lutheran Bishop of New York
Lutheran Church of New York
Created the Urban Leaders Institute, training congregational leaders, and the Urban Empowerment Fund, which provided grants to congregations working with persons in poverty.
Ongoing
Board Member & Civic Leader
Multiple Institutions
Served on boards including Lutheran Social Services of Metropolitan New York, Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn (now NYU Langone), Council of Churches for the City of New York, and the Inter-church Center. Founding member of the Commission of Religious Leaders.
Ongoing
Media & Public Intellectual
Radio, Television & Print
Hosted a radio talk show on WEVD interviewing figures such as Alan Dershowitz, Charles Smith, and Jim Sleeper. Hosted and produced a cable TV show. Quoted in the New York Times, Daily News, Newsday, and the Jersey Journal. Interviewed on NBC and CBS.
June 2023 – Present
Host & Executive Producer
The Aguilar Conversations: A Global Perspective
Launched a podcast exploring international issues — from the war in Ukraine and the Niger conflict to Brazil, Taiwan's presidential election, and the Israel/Hamas war.
Latest Book
Is America Broken or Has It Always Been This Way?
Tony's latest work explores whether the challenges America faces today are truly new or part of a longer historical pattern — a must-read for anyone seeking deeper context on the state of American democracy.
Listen to Tony being interviewed about his new book
Media & Recognition
A Voice Trusted by Major Media
During his career, Tony has been quoted in major newspapers and appeared on national television networks. He was also featured in Jim Rooney's book, Organizing the South Bronx.
The New York Times
NBC
Television
Daily News
CBS
Television
Newsday
WEVD Radio
Radio
Jersey Journal
Cable Television
TV Host
Photo Gallery
Gallery
.JPG/:/cr=t:0%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:100%25)
David Gergen
Congresswoman Yvette Clarke
Now Streaming
The Aguilar Conversations:
A Global Perspective
Since June 2023, Tony has hosted in-depth conversations on the most pressing international issues — the war in Ukraine, the Niger conflict, Brazil, Taiwan's presidential election, and the Israel/Hamas war. Independent analysis you won't find anywhere else.
Continue Exploring