Una Voz Un Movimiento with Jessie Feliz, Raquel and Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din

Culture is more than food and festivals; it's the conversations we have at home. Mindfulness in raising children shapes their identity and understanding of social issues. Let's start the change in our communities and let it ripple outward.

In this episode, I had the honor of speaking with the following Lead(H)ers:

Jessie Feliz, an energetic and experienced educator dedicated to empowering students, particularly Black American youth, to become multilingual and unlock new opportunities. With over 15 years of teaching experience in diverse settings like Baltimore, Costa Rica, Houston, and Detroit, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her work.

Raquel is a cat lover, DIYer, sun riser, and coach for womxn of color and allies in the government and social justice sectors. In 2013, she made history as the first-ever Latina elected to the Detroit City Council, serving for eight years. She then founded the Restorative Democracy Project, supporting womxn of color in public office throughout their careers. A lifelong Detroiter, Raquel has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit and political sectors. She holds a Master of Social Work and is trained in action learning, neuro-emotional literacy, and self-compassion practices. For 10 years, Raquel trained with New American Leaders, coaching new Americans and BIPOC communities to run for office. She is an Open Society Foundation Leadership in Government Fellow, BMW Foundation Responsible Leader, and a German Marshall Fund Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network alum.

Laura Chavez-Wazeerud-Din who is the President and CEO of the Southwest Detroit Business Association, with a background as a Vice President at Comerica Bank and AVP at Flagstar Bank. With over 25 years of dedication to the BIPOC community, Laura has worked with organizations like Southwest Solutions and The Henry Ford Health System, promoting health, financial literacy, and education. 

She founded the Hispanic Employee Relations Group at Flagstar Bank and co-chaired Comerica's "Mi Gente" Employee Resource Group. Her accolades include the "Diversity Champion Award" from the National Black MBA of Detroit (2021) and the Hispanic Heritage Game Changer from the Ilitch Foundation (2023).

As my incredible guests share their deep insights and personal journeys, you will be inspired!!

Here are some of the key takeaways of this episode:

1. Empowerment through Education: Discover how culturally responsive teaching goes beyond the curriculum to nurture students' identities and foster inclusive environments. This approach emphasizes the importance of authentic conversations and community involvement in the educational journey.

2. Solidarity and Connection: Learn about the crucial role of solidarity, especially among marginalized communities, in driving social and political change. Building genuine, trust-based relationships across different cultural groups can transform democracy from the local level up.

3. Intersectionality and Identity: Explore the intersectionality of faith, identity, and leadership. Understand how embracing our multifaceted identities and unlearning biases can empower us to lead with empathy and inclusivity.

Honorable Mentions

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Follow Jessie Feliz in these online spaces:

Website: https://www.jessiefeliz.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessiefelizplus/?hl=en

Follow Raquel in these online spaces:

Website: https://opportunityagenda.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oppagenda/</