Migrant Child Farmworker Turned Pioneer into the Cosmos Set to Speak at California Event

The Sonoma Speaking Series in Northern California has provided a platform since 2016, featuring a diverse range of speakers from various fields, including politics, the arts, sports, and science, to discuss a range of topics with the Sonoma community. Next month, they have invited Jose Hernandez, a pioneering Mexican-American who worked as a farmworker harvesting crops throughout California, and went on to earn degrees from some of the Golden State’s finest institutions, becoming a NASA astronaut.

The event will take place on December 1, 2025, at the Hanna Center in Sonoma, featuring an opportunity for a meet-and-greet at Hanna’s Legacy Center, followed by a candid conversation with Hernandez in the auditorium as he shares insights on his upbringing, his unwavering resolve, and his experience in space inside the International Space Station (ISS).

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His life story was featured in the 2023 film “A Million Miles Away,” which was released on Amazon Prime Video. Born in French Camp, California, his family originated from La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico, where he spent half the year between the two bordering countries. He worked alongside his family as a farm hand, providing sustenance year-round. He did not learn English until the age of 12, moving many times through grade school. He landed at Franklin High School in Stockton, California. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

He worked at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory from 1987 to 2001 in various roles before being selected in 2004 to be part of the 19th class of NASA astronauts. Hernandez would go on to serve key technical and leadership roles, landing a spot on the Discovery Space shuttle, in which his crew delivered more than 7 tons of equipment to the ISS.

He currently serves as a member of the University of California Board of Regents and is president and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, an aerospace engineering firm. Other entrepreneurial pursuits include a 20-acre vineyard, which is bottled under the Tierra Lunar Cellars label.

Tickets are still available to experience this keynote here.

Unlock your event’s potential by bringing in Jose Hernandez as your keynote speaker! Don’t miss the opportunity to inspire your audience—Contact Speaker Booking Agency today for more information, or fill out our Online Booking Request Form. Let us leverage our 25 years of industry-leading experience to secure the perfect talent for your next event!