CONNECTING
Let’s create opportunities to spark conversations to build meaningful connections. Imagine communities where individuals actively support and encourage each other to reach their full potential. A community where growth and progress are always within reach.
Connection
“The business of business is relationships; the business of life is human connection.”
– Robin Sharm.
Here is how one of our founders, Rosemarie Young, feels about our connection pillar and why this mission is so important to her.
Here's her why:
I have always considered myself to be a people person. Engaging in conversation comes naturally to me, whether it’s deep, heartfelt discussions, sharing a laugh so deep it leaves us breathless, or sharing a moment of vulnerability that brings tears to our eyes. It’s within these moments, surrounded by the warmth of genuine connection, where I find a sense of belonging, a feeling of being embraced within a community, a part of something far greater than myself. For much of my life, I grappled with a profound sense of disconnection.
It was as though my voice vanished into the void, unheard and unacknowledged. This pervasive loneliness and isolation eroded my sense of self-worth, casting long shadows over every choice I made and leaving me emotionally vulnerable. The ripples of these feelings threatened not only my emotional well-being but also my financial stability, plunging my confidence to its lowest depths.
In the midst of feeling cut off from all I had painstakingly built, I embarked on a journey towards healing. It was a path that led me to recognize the transformative power of connection. My first step was to rebuild the bridge to myself, to understand and embrace my worth. From there, I found sanctuary among a circle of women whose hearts resonated with love, understanding, and compassion. You see, connection nurtures our emotional and psychological well-being, providing a sense of security and support. It reminds us that we are not traveling alone on this journey of life but part of a vast network of intertwined paths. It fuels our sense of identity and self-worth.
It is where we can find meaning and purpose by drawing strength from our shared humanity and the realization that, in the grand scheme of things, we are alike. When we feel a sense of community, we are empowered to grow, thrive, and contribute to the world in meaningful ways. Connection is a fundamental human need, as essential to our well-being as the air we breathe.
In my role as an attorney, my days are women with encounters with individuals who feel minimized and detached, their voices silenced by barriers like language, accents, the color of their skin, or their financial standing. This reality is intolerable to me. Imagine the impact of something as simple as translating legal documents into someone’s native tongue. I’ve witnessed firsthand families ecstatic to secure their first home, only to be trapped in a mortgage that threatened their dreams with financial ruin. I ask you to place yourself in their shoes, if only for a moment.
Consider how far removed this is from the promise of equality for all.
When language barriers obscure the most significant transaction of your life, we stand on the brink of failing our foundational principles. This is where my heart calls me to act, to impart to our children the sacredness of respect and the inherent value of every individual. It falls upon us, upon me, to model the way forward, to be the DNA for change within our communities. I’m committed to ensuring that every person feels acknowledged and visible, irrespective of their journey or identity.
LEADERSHIP
We invite leaders, organizations, companies, corporations, businesses, and institutions to work together to create a world where everyone is recognized and valued as an integral part of our humanity.
Leadership
“True leadership is not about being in charge; it’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
– Simon Sinek
Here is how one of our founders, Julissa Alvarez, feels about our leadership pillar and why this mission is so important to her.
Here's her why:
Leadership is not just about holding a title or position of authority; it’s about empowering others to reach their full potential and creating positive change in the world. As a Latina leader, I am passionate about fostering leadership skills and opportunities within our community.
Growing up, I witnessed the lack of representation and opportunities for women of color in leadership positions. This ignited a fire within me to challenge the status quo and advocate for greater diversity and inclusivity in leadership spaces.
Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to mentor and support aspiring leaders, helping them navigate challenges, build confidence, and amplify their voices. I believe that true leadership is about lifting others up, advocating for equity and justice, and creating pathways for success for future generations.
However, leadership is not just about individual achievement; it’s about collective action and community empowerment.
Through our leadership initiatives, we aim to cultivate a culture of collaboration, innovation, and resilience, where everyone has the opportunity to lead and make a difference.
Together, we can redefine leadership as a force for positive change, equity, and social justice. Let us commit to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow and creating a future where everyone has the opportunity to lead with courage, compassion, and integrity. Through our collective efforts, we can build a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
HEALING
We must come to a place where we recognize every individual as a human being and strive to build a new sense of belonging. This is not a privilege but rather a fundamental human right. By doing so, we can ensure our growth and success as a collective.
Healing
“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”
-Khalil Gibran
Here is how one of our founders, Yudy Veras Bueno, feels about our healing pillar and why this mission is so important to her.
Here's her why:
Throughout my own personal journey, I have experienced the profound impact that healing can have on one’s life. From overcoming trauma to navigating life’s challenges, the journey of healing is transformative and empowering. As a Latina woman, I understand the importance of addressing mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being within our communities.
For too long, mental health has been stigmatized and overlooked, particularly within minority communities. This stigma often prevents individuals from seeking the support and resources they need to heal and thrive. I am passionate about breaking down these barriers and creating spaces where individuals feel safe, supported, and empowered to prioritize their mental and emotional health.
As a Certified Coach, I have had the privilege of witnessing the resilience and strength of individuals as they embark on their healing journeys. By providing culturally competent and accessible mental health services, we can empower
individuals to cultivate resilience, self-awareness, and emotional well-being.
However, healing is not just about addressing individual struggles; it is also about building collective resilience and fostering supportive communities.
Through our healing initiatives, we aim to create spaces where individuals can come together to share their stories, find solace in community, and support one another on their paths to healing.
Together, we can break the cycle of silence and stigma surrounding mental health and create a future where healing is accessible, inclusive, and celebrated.
Let us commit to supporting one another in our healing journeys and building communities where everyone can thrive. Through our collective efforts, we can create a world where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued.
EDUCATING
We recognized that the biggest barriers to change are people’s attitudes and subconscious Biases. Lack of knowledge, exposure, and basic cultural understanding.
educating
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
– B.B.king.
Here is how one of our founders, Jacqueline Vazquez, feels about our educating pillar and why this mission is so important to her.
Here's her why:
Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education in breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. As a young Latina woman, I realized that access to quality education should be focused on social, emotional, mental, physical, and cognitive development but that was not always the case in my educational journey. Through perseverance and my mother’s support, I was able to pursue higher education and realize my dreams
My journey inspired me to advocate for educational equity and empowerment for all. I firmly believe that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and fostering personal and societal growth. It empowers individuals to challenge stereotypes, pursue their passions, and create positive change in their community.
As a women’s wellness advocate, I have seen the profound impact that education can have on physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By providing resources and knowledge, we empower women to make informed decisions about their health and lead fulfilling lives.
However, I am also aware of the barriers and disparities that exist in education, particularly for marginalized communities.
It is unacceptable that factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geographic location continue to hinder access to quality education. We must work tirelessly to dismantle these barriers and ensure that every individual has the opportunity to receive a comprehensive and inclusive education.
Through our collective efforts, we can create a future where education is accessible, equitable, and empowering for all. Let us commit to advocating for educational justice and investing in the potential of every person to thrive and succeed. Together, we can build a brighter and more equitable world through education.
VISIBILITY
Representation remains strikingly low in different industries and sectors, particularly in the mainstream media, where only 7% of the workforce is Latino, and 3% are Latinas in front and behind the cameras. When we don’t have a voice to tell our own stories, the narrative is distorted and untruthful.
This lack of representation and diversity perpetuates stereotypes and biases, which lead to dehumanizing people. Continuing to dehumanize people is a dangerous risk that we cannot afford to take.
As we grow in number, we face critical challenges that pose a social, economic, and political responsibility; with the Latino population in the USA projected to continue growing in the coming years, we can expect both opportunities and challenges for Latino and Latina entrepreneurs.
Challenges: language barriers, limited mental health resources, difficulty finding culturally understanding professionals, challenges with imposter syndrome, lack of access to capital, lack of financial knowledge, gender disparity, colorism, and underrepresentation.
In Inspirame Latina We are Driving Change
The Inspirame Latina Foundation believes that in order to address these challenges, we must provide a platform for our women and families to share their stories and experiences, empowering them to heal and grow from a place of strength and resilience.
We invite you to move together in the world. Acompañandonos en este viaje that could be lonely otherwise. We are celebrating each other’s excellence and brilliance rather than feeling invisible.
Through insightful conversations, panels, events, webinars, and workshops, we plant the seed of knowledge and wisdom and cultivate awareness and understanding of our biases to embrace our unique sense of identity.
HOW WE MAKE THIS A REALITY?
We need the resources to nurture and unleash our leader’s potential through our five pillars. Yes, your help is pivotal in addressing these challenges and reshaping the narrative. Amplifying our voices and showcasing our unique cultural identity is crucial for building a more inclusive and diverse society.