¿y dónde está mi gente?: How it Started

LatinX inVISIBLE

EVENT OVERVIEW 

¿y dónde está mi gente? LatinX inVISIBLE sought to engage all individuals invested in the lives of Latinas, Latinos, Hispanics, Latinx and Spanish speakers in our growing community.

The convening explored how visible or invisible is the Latinx, Latino, Latina, Hispanic community. We discussed what brings us all together to celebrate, to mobilize, to serve.

The goal was to elevate our narrative, listen and learn from our history and promote engagement as we preview issues of disparities, beginning with immigration, health and education. 

In addition to this convening, we hosted a virtual festival of the arts for local Latinx artists called Latinx Presente. We recognize the healing power of the arts and showcased many of the talented Latinx artists creating in our community.

Event Breakdown

Outcomes

• The convening taught me something new about Latinx history and the community

•  The convening gave me ideas on how to get involved in promoting racial equity

Components

• A Keynote: Paul Ortiz to elevate through history and examples the ways in which Latinx and African American communities have worked in solidarity towards equity and justice. 

• A Panel: 

  • Abraham A. Salinas-Miranda will invite participants to learn about health disparities that affect LatinX populations in Pinellas County, Florida, and the role of the social determinants of health in the prevention and elimination of disparities. A community-driven, strengths-based discussion on possible solutions to follow. 

  • Guadalupe Pimentel will elevate the challenges of borders and belonging through the eyes of a Dreamer to learn more about the cost and path to citizenship. 

  • Rita Vasquez will share educational milestones and disparities within the Latinx community inviting community-driven and collective next steps for supporting equitable systems in our region. 

Breakout Sessions

• A breakout:

  • Jaclyn Boland and Maria Pinzon – leaders in the Pinellas and Hillsborough County of Hispanic serving institutions will invite our participants to share their insights on the opportunities and challenges of creating a collective agenda. 

• Breakout prompts:

  • As a (racial or ethnic identity)  I feel most connected, seen, visible to our Latinx community when

  • If others only knew that I feel distant from the community when… 

  • As a (racial or ethnic identity) I see how race and disparities are at play in my community because…

  • I am committed to engaging these issues by….

Actions 

• Pledge my support for race equity pledge

• Commit to intentionally connect Latinx community to community building efforts 

• Follow up with FHSP to share ideas this event has sparked 

Latinx Presente Virtual Festival of the Arts 

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