YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

I used to think that in order to be a leader in my community , I had to change who I was: 4'9" latinx, first-generation, femme queer, working-class, soft-spoken. I learned that all these identities made me relate-able to my community and enriched me with the experiences and knowledge needed to create positive change in my community.

Growing up as a first generation U.S. citizen, I lived and saw an array of injustice in my community. Since I can remember, I was determined to be part of the solution. Public Allies connected me to mentors who supported me to hone my skills and talents as a young professional, while also creating spaces that challenged a truly diverse cohort to bridge thoughts of mind and experiences, encouraged unity in our community. Now I work with a diverse team to provide the same opportunities for young adults who are mentors, tutors and role models in inner city schools.

I used to be oblivious to the systematic effects of power, privilege, and oppression, but now I actively analyze our systems with a critical lens and work to change the things that particularly impact our disenfranchised communities.

I use to feel I lacked the hands on experience to be seen as valuable to an employer, but now I have the confidence in my skill set and consider myself an asset to any team.

I used to think people could get to the place they wanted to based on their own merit, but now I know there are systems in place that continue to oppress historically disadvantaged people making the idea of meritocracy false.

I used to be too timid to speak up - thinking that my perspective wasn’t important, unique, or eloquent enough. Now, I am able to command space in a room and know that my voice is just as important as anyone else’s.