Monica is the youngest daughter of immigrants and was born and raised in the picturesque rural community of Southern Colorado, fostering a deep-seated connection to community and service from an early age. Her educational path led her to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University, and shortly thereafter to attend University of San Francisco for her Masters, where she honed her passion for higher education and community engagement. With a background firmly grounded in academia, Monica has recently embarked on an exciting transition to COLOR, where she is dedicated to embodying her core value of serving others. With COLOR she has found profound fulfillment in giving back to the community and making a tangible impact on the lives of those around her.
When not actively contributing to her professional endeavors, you’ll often find Monica at the gym, embracing the therapeutic power of a good workout. She firmly believes in the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to sustain her energy and focus. Beyond her professional commitments, Monica holds a deep love for exploration and discovery. Whether jetting off to far-flung destinations or indulging in culinary escapades, she is always eager to broaden her horizons and immerse herself in the richness of diverse cultures.”
América Ramirez se unió a COLOR en agosto del 2019. América es una mexicana-americana bicultural e hija de inmigrantes, nacida y criada en Colorado. Obtuvo su licenciatura en fisiología integradora y estudios étnicos con un certificado en salud pública en la Universidad de Colorado Boulder. En CU, América comenzó a trabajar con jóvenes pre-universitarios y a luchar por la justicia social entre comunidades históricamente marginadas. Después incorporó su pasión por la salud reproductiva trabajando para un programa de prevención de embarazos para niñas adolescentes, la mayoría identificándose como Latinx. América es apasionada de la justicia reproductiva, la equidad social, el desmantelamiento de la opresión institucionalizada, el compromiso cívico entre poblaciones históricamente marginadas y el acceso a educación y atención médica de calidad, y ella está en el trabajo de sus sueños en COLOR. América disfruta viajar, música en vivo, participar en pláticas introspectivas y pasar tiempo con familia y amigos.
Vanessa (she/her/ella) is a fourth-generation Mexican-American who was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. Her policy advocacy background is rooted in community organizing, with over 15 years of non-profit experience fighting for social justice. During this time, she has had the privilege of collaborating, learning and building power, together with immigrant and Latine communities in Nebraska and across Latin America.
Much of her career has been based in Nebraska, where she worked with Nebraska Appleseed to support community leaders statewide to engage with elected officials, drive political agendas and pass inclusive state and federal policy. Vanessa is passionate about building power through participation, collaborating with local advocates to build systems and policies that work for all of us and to take part in the decision making that affects their lives.
Vanessa also spent five years based in Mexico City as the Americas Regional Coordinator for the International Detention Coalition, making policy recommendations and supporting governments and civil society partners in various countries to reduce the use of the extremely harmful and unnecessary practice of immigration detention.
Beginning in 2019, Vanessa became more involved in the reproductive justice movement, motivated both by her personal experience navigating endometriosis and infertility, and by witnessing whole communities harmed in her home state when legislators attacked and eventually banned gender affirming and abortion healthcare, denying individuals the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
As a recent member of the Colorado community, Vanessa has found her social justice home with the COLOR team and is excited to continue to learn from and build power together with these amazing local Latine leaders and families.
Vanessa holds Master’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Community and Regional Planning from The University of Texas at Austin.
Jennifer Arreola-Soria (she/her/ella) is a first-generation Mexican-American pursuing her Associate of Arts degree in History at the Community College of Denver and will be transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver to finish her Bachelor’s degree in Spring of 2024. She first joined COLOR as a LIPS participant in 2020. After her time as a LIPS participant, Jennifer joined the canvassing team to defend abortion access in Colorado. She then applied for the Youth of COLOR Fellowship as an Organizing Fellow in 2021 and carved her space in the organization. Her time as a youth advocate in High School and recent work with COLOR has now brought her full circle to this staff position. Jennifer’s passion for Reproductive Justice stems from the strong women in her life who taught her to always speak up for what she believes in, and that with hard work – great things can happen. Jennifer enjoys traveling, talking endlessly about history and its funny way of repeating itself, and spending time with friends, family, and her two dogs Loki and Yoda.
Nicole Guzman (she/her/ella) is a storyteller with a passion for sharing the stories of the Latinx community in Denver, Colorado. She attended The School of The New York Times, where she wrote her first story on how multimedia hypersexualization of Latina women impacted Latina youth in Denver. Since then, her interest in representing and sharing the stories of her community grew into a passion.
Nicole attended the University of Denver having received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism Studies and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies. She has reported on pressing issues impacting the Latinx community including mental health, substance misuse, and immigration. She is the former Creative Leader for a non-profit in Denver working with youth to share the stories of their community in Westwood. She worked closely with youth and government agencies to provide resources and solutions to issues in their communities from creating gun violence prevention campaigns to conducting youth forums for mental health awareness. Today, she assists in creating media content and running social media campaigns for COLOR, bringing attention to the efforts and values of COLOR’s mission to advance reproductive justice for everyone.
Aside from her professional career, she is a dog mom of one to a Siberian husky named Zoey, loves to hike and visit the mountains, values time with her friends and family, and considers herself a boba enthusiast.
Isabela (she/her/ella) found COLOR in 2019 when she worked as a Community Organizing intern with particular attention to creating community development toolkits at the intersection of Religion and Reproductive Justice. Upon earning her Master of Arts in Social Justice and Ethics from Iliff School of Theology, Isabela chose to continue her journey in academia and began her doctoral studies in Religion and Latine Social Ethics at the University of Denver in 2020. Now, she is elated to be reunited with COLOR as a Liberative Faith-Aware Community Organizer while writing her dissertation on Latine Ethics and Queering Our Lady of Guadalupe in Culturally Catholic Mexican Households. In the Reproductive Justice sphere, Isabela is most energized by engaging socially liberative interpretations of faith and religious texts in order to engage harmful faith-based anti-abortion narratives both within our communities and at the legislative level. Isabela’s work has been published in Perspectivas: an online bilingual journal of the Hispanic Theological Initiative. She has organized several gender-justice-based organizations because her academia, without community praxis, is meaningless. When Isabela is not organizing or writing, she can typically be found rock-climbing, skiing, trail-running, backpacking, or eating homemade Mexican food at home with her papá and their three dogs: Alma, Dolores, and Bruno!
What it means to be working at COLOR: When I worked at COLOR as an intern, I knew I discovered a special organization because I had never encountered a space that honored the unique intersections of my identity as a Queer Latina studying Religion and Latine Social Ethics. As an advocacy platform, COLOR was crucial in my identity formation as a scholar activist in Queer womxn’s rights and Reproductive Justice. I would not be the scholar or community organizer I am today without COLOR!
Liliana Salcido Beltrán is a first-generation Mexican American with a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology, as well as experience in public health research. Her undergraduate psychology research at Regis University focused on the ways Marianismo, Mujerismo, and Machismo affect cis Mexican mens’ aggression towards women. Her passion for this research was inspired by her desire to understand why so many femicides happen in the borderlands of Mexico, which is where her family is originally from. This research was showcased at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s 2023 Annual Convention. Additionally, after graduating college, Liliana’s lifelong passion for human rights and reproductive justice led her to work in the public health research industry. Her experience in studying the psychology of her own Latinx community combined with her background in public health fueled her desire for advocacy work and community organizing. Currently, Liliana works as the Communications and Outreach Coordinator, providing support for the planning, developing, and coordinating of communications projects, such as social media and advertising content, as well as community outreach events. In her spare time, Liliana loves to travel, rewatch The Office, play with her 2 dogs and cat, and watch an endless amount of true crime documentaries and podcasts.
Mariah Guerrero is an advocate with a background in both government and the nonprofit sector. Her commitment to service is deeply rooted in her and her family’s lived experiences. Throughout her career, she has witnessed the transformative power of diverse voices in decision-making processes. She is dedicated to uplifting community voices to disrupt inequitable systems, with a particular focus on progressive policies in healthcare, housing, and immigration.
Mariah previously worked in the housing space and served as a family advocate for single-parent and immigrant families where she helped them navigate healthcare, education, and access to economic opportunities. During this time, she gained a deeper understanding of the link between housing and reproductive justice. Prior to her direct service work, she served as a United States Senate legislative intern, and as a legislative aide for the Colorado House of Representatives.
She is a lifelong learner and a proud first-generation student. She holds a Master’s in International Studies and Public Policy from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Her research interests include migration and social movements in Latin America.
In her free time, she enjoys concerts, martial arts, and spending time with her family and two dogs, Rosie and Leo.
A proud Denver native and DPS alum, I embraced the journey of education as an adult, earning my bachelor’s degree with determination and passion. Coming from a big Mexican family, I’ve always cherished the vibrant connections that family and friends bring to life. I have a deep love for dancing, music, and travel, often seeking out new adventures and experiences that celebrate culture and connection.
I believe in the importance of choice and the power of personal decision-making. While we can all share our opinions, I hold firm to the idea that what matters most is making choices that align with our own values and best interests. At the end of the day, it’s all about embracing what truly resonates with you.
I am a first-generation, final-year undergraduate at CU Boulder, majoring in Sociology, Women and Gender Studies, and Ethnic Studies, with a certificate in Latin American Studies. I have family roots in Honduras and am very proud of it. I am passionate about immigration law and advocating for Latinx and women’s rights. I plan to attend law school to advocate for immigrant women.
I recently joined the COLOR team because I want to be part of this amazing organization, working alongside a passionate team to fight for the Latinx community and advocate for abortion rights. I am driven to support Latinx individuals and fight for their right to bodily autonomy, ensuring that they have access to safe, supportive environments and resources.
Daniela (She/Her/Ella) is originally from Puebla, México and moved to Colorado in 2023. She has a degree in Physical Therapy and a special passion for the intimate health and well-being of women. In Mexico, she took several certifications for pelvic floor rehabilitation and worked in an intimate health clinic. In Colorado, Daniela works as a community birth and abortion doula and loves to advocate for spaces for people to feel safe and understood in all stages and circumstances of life. Daniela is excited to continue this advocacy in her new role with COLOR!
Growing up in Mexico’s patriarchal society, Daniela was conditioned to believe that her body did not belong to her but rather to society and external opinions. Deeply ingrained prejudices, passed down through generations, restricted her sense of freedom in making her own choices, until she was older. As an adult, she has seen the crucial role information plays in empowerment, making her passionate about advocating for bodily autonomy and equitable access to health. She has a strong desire to change social norms and empower others to do the same. Daniela believes that knowledge equips individuals to understand their worth, defend their choices, and demand their rights!
Outside of her work, Daniela loves adventures, spending time rollerblading and being outside in nature doing fun stuff. She’s very excited to build a new community in Colorado and fight for Reproductive Justice for all!
Yamilet Velazquez Balleza (She/Her/Ella) is currently an Undergrad at the University of Denver studying International Business with a minor in Entrepreneurship. She is also the First-Generation Mexican American in her family to attend college and is well on her way to receiving her Bachelors in Spring of 2025. Yamilet was born and raised in beautiful Carbondale, Colorado alongside her parents and little sister.
Yamilet’s passion and drive to advocate for others came from her parents, as they have always been willing to support and advocate for the underrepresented communities. From attending gatherings, to attending workshops, and even volunteering at events, being able to support and give back to the community is always a priority.
Aside from being a full-time college student she is also CO-chair of Cultural Awareness and CO-Chair of community service within her sorority, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority. In addition, she is also a peer-mentor for 1GENU at the University of Denver supporting First Generation students through the college journey.
If she’s not in the classroom, with her sorority or busy being an academic weapon she is at home watching movies & shows with her partner and dog. Yamilet loves exploring new places, taking pictures, going to the gym, and loves romanticizing every moment of her life.
“I am beyond excited to start working alongside COLOR, as I feel there is no better way to make a change, then to be a part of the change and be proud of it!”
Danielle Young-Kombo is the Vice President of Colorado Black Women for Political Action, a progressive community leader and principal consultant at D.K. Global Consulting, LLC. She made history when she ran for the Colorado House of Representatives becoming the first woman of color to win a democratic primary election in House District 45 in 2018. She continued her work in Colorado politics by running for the U.S. Senate in 2019 and serving as the Women’s Vote Director for the Colorado Coordinated Campaign in 2020 for the Biden-Harris ticket.
Danielle’s achievements include being elected and serving as the Chair of Diversity and Affirmative Action for Douglas County Democratic Party from 2018-2020, serving as an At-Large Member of the Executive Committee for the CO-MT-WY NAACP State Conference (2018-), joining the distinguished alumni of the women-led political candidate training program, Emerge Colorado (2019), being selected to attend the distinguished Congressional Black Caucus Institute for further training in American politics (2019), and developing and implementing voter outreach strategy to help Colorado attain record breaking voter turnout in the 2020 presidential election.
Danielle currently manages political campaigns and works part time as a White House Advance Associate for the Office of the Vice President. In 2020, Danielle was selected to join the prestigious Truman National Security Project as a political partner for the Colorado Chapter. Prior to her journey into politics, Danielle worked as a physician recruiter and primary care clinic leader in the healthcare industry, and attended Colorado State University to study Healthcare Administration.
When Danielle is not working in politics, she enjoys spending quality time with her family at home, watching NBA basketball and attending track and field competitions. She and her husband of 20 years are also the proud parents of four sons.
Victoria was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. She has a deep love for her community and the region. She has been an organizer both in Denver and her hometown for years, working on issues such as meal outreach for the unhoused, supporting the families of incarcerated folks, overdose prevention and harm reduction, and of course, reproductive rights and abortion access. She is the founder and organizer of ¡Bunnies Against Bans!, a do-it-yourself (DIY) initiative that raises money and awareness for the Buckle Bunnies abortion fund in Texas through events like shows and art markets.
As a graduate of CU Boulder’s Education Policy Master’s program, Victoria specializes in the areas of youth leadership, K-12 education, and discipline and policing of youth in schools. She is an abolitionist, and takes inspiration from scholars such as Mariame Kaba and Ruth Wilson Gilmore.
Victoria currently lives in Denver with her black lab, Metzi. Outside of work, she is a musician and DJ under the name “Vicky Burp”, and enjoys organizing shows that are a safe space for everyone.
Andrea Arreola-Soria (She/Her/Ella) is a proud Mexican-American and a first-generation daughter of immigrants. She recently made the journey back to the US from México to pursue her passion for science. She is a dedicated student working towards a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Andrea’s journey into advocacy and empowerment began when she joined the LIPS (Latinas Increasing Political Strength) program. This transformative experience left a profound impact on her life. Through LIPS, she discovered the world of Reproductive Justice, which ignited a fire within her to create positive change in her community and beyond. This program introduced her to intersectional feminism, effective communication, and the art of public speaking. It equipped her with the knowledge and skills to address the issues that affect the Latine community, many of which she had little prior knowledge of. Andrea’s involvement in LIPS fueled her passion for activism. It significantly improved her academic performance, particularly in communication and public speaking. Andrea enjoys listening to music, traveling, spending time with loved ones, including her dog Bobby Soufflé, and researching with her professors to contribute to scientific advancements.
Erika (she/her/ella) is currently a junior pursuing her BA at the University of Denver, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Socio-Legal studies. She is a first-generation college student, during her time at DU, she has focused her studies on Latinx and gender studies and aspires to actively work to uplift and empower the Latinx community through policy and judicial advocacy. This academic year, she is a Peer Mentor for a first-generation program and will be the Director of Marketing for DU’s Feminist Student Alliance. Erika is a proud Salvadoran American who was raised in Aurora, growing up she was immersed in the Latinx culture within her household and socially. At an early age, Erika witnessed hardships many in her community, like her parents, faced for being immigrants in the U.S., thus inspiring her path to work on advocacy. Her goal as the Policy Fellow is to bring awareness to our community on political issues and encourage the Latinx community to place accountability towards our legislatures. Aside from her love for attaining knowledge, she is family-oriented and enjoys spending time with her parents and siblings. Erika enjoys reading books, her all-time favorite books are The Hunger Games series and The Outsiders.
Amy Cerna Sanchez is a first-generation Mexican American student who comes from a large family of seven. She is a very involved person on both the school front and in her personal life. She was involved in over five clubs and worked at Children’s Hospital on the Youth Action Board during her high school years. It is here that her passion for social justice bloomed.
Amy is currently studying at the University of Denver, where she is a double major in psychology and business with a focus in marketing, along with a minor in leadership. She sits on the executive board for Colorado Women’s College and Association of Latino Professionals for America. She is also a Greenhouse Scholar, where she is actively involved in recruiting new scholars and community projects. Her goal is to open her own mental health clinic that aims to provide accessible resources to communities of color.
During her free time, Amy will be playing or coaching soccer. She loves spending time with both her blood and chosen families, which continues to motivate her to make the world a safer place for future generations.
Mar (they/them/elle/ella) found COLOR in 2018, as a student, which shaped their studies to center reproductive justice, social movements, and race/gendered politics more broadly. They graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in Sociology and Women & Gender Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder. Mar spent those years growing their passion for research, teaching, and community organizing. As a researcher, they’ve written and published their work in academic journals such as Feminist Studies y Politics, Groups, & Identities, but have always brought it back to community. For instance, they restructured one piece into an asynchronous reproductive justice training for the Colorado Doula Project. As a [queer] teacher, they center a queer pedagogy: queer in reference to the notion of dismantling power structures—and preconceived notions of what “knowledge” is considered legitimate by those structures—within learning groups. They approach teaching/learning, in the context of workshops, classrooms, or even social movements more broadly, as an opportunity to co-create knowledge in community. They believe their work as a community organizer will help them bring community into the policy work they do now. Mar also loves to make art, and has recently brought it into their research and policy work. Mar moved to Colorado at the age of 8 from Peru, and now lives in Aurora, with their family and their beautiful cat, Hazel, also known as “purris.”
Alexis Moncada (she/they/ella) is a Chicana organizer from southern Florida who received her Bachelor of Social Work at Florida State University and is pursuing her Master of Social Work at the University of Denver. Alexis has been involved in political movements for nearly a decade, ranging from elections to women’s rights, workers’ rights, LGBT rights, immigrant rights, and liberation for all racially oppressed groups. Proudly identifying as a lesbian, Latina woman, she hopes to bridge solidarity among all working people despite differences. Wherever there is struggle among working people in this state, you can find her there, in unity with our community.
Vilma (she/her/ella) is a first-generation Argentine-American with a solid background in operations management and customer service, as well as writing and editing. During her former career in the travel industry, Vilma trained and coached her staff and learned the importance of team comradery in accomplishing goals and ensuring financial success. Although she enjoyed her travel industry career, she decided to move to the nonprofit sector and create a new career that reflected her life experiences and passion for social justice.
Vilma grew up in California and watched her working-poor parents struggle financially as immigrants who could not speak English. As a teenager, she lost her mother to a stroke. Then, when she was a young adult, her father soon followed, dying from a heart attack. Both tragedies and her childhood experiences solidified her passion for the intersectionality work of economic, immigrant, and health justice. Vowing not to end up like her parents, Vilma is the first in her family to earn college degrees and an English Writing summa cum laude graduate from the University of Colorado, Denver, where she studied BIPOC literature. She joined the COLOR team to help better the lives of Latinx people and join the reproductive justice fight. She is thrilled to contribute detailed and organizational work behind the scenes to ensure the nonprofit’s success.
In her spare time, she loves to blog, garden, read, and explore the Rockies.
Me llamo Saúl Alfaro, mis pronombres es él y soy el nuevo compañero organizador de COLOR. Soy de Los Ángeles, California, y también soy guatemalteco-americano de primera generación. Me mudé a Colorado hace unos 20 años. Siempre me ha gustado mucho hacer ejercicio y todavía lo hago casi a diario. Jugué fútbol americano por seis años desde la escuela intermedia hasta la secundaria. Siempre he querido hacer cosas que muchos otros temen hacer, como jugar al fútbol americano y abogar por cosas como el acceso al aborto y los derechos reproductivos. En los últimos tres años he encontrado el amor por la política no partidista y he adquirido mucha experiencia trabajando en puestos similares al que me acaban de contratar. Tengo una gran pasión por apoyar el aborto y el acceso al mismo porque es un tema infinitamente complejo y con muchas capas que necesita aliados que lo apoyen como yo. Desde que tengo uso de razón siempre he dado el 110% a todo lo que hago y no pienso dejar de hacerlo nunca.
Sayuri es una orgullosa latina nacida en Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua y se mudó a Denver, CO. cuando tenía 8 años. Es una estudiante de primera generación en la Universidad Regis que actualmente estudia Administración de Empresas con una especialización en Mercadotecnia y estudios secundaria en francés. También es bilingüe en español e inglés. Sayuri se graduó del programa LIPS en mayo de 2021 y desde entonces ha continuado con COLOR como becaria de Youth of Color Communications (Comunicaciones para Jóvenes de Color). Sayuri es apasionada de la justicia reproductiva, los derechos de los inmigrantes, el acceso al idioma, la educación y la igualdad de género. A Sayuri le encanta implicarse en su comunidad y desea poder un día devolver algo. Desea trabajar en una comunidad donde pueda animar a otros jóvenes Latinx a crecer y tener éxito. A Sayuri le gusta el aire libre, los conciertos, explorar la ciudad y pasar tiempo con sus amigos y su familia.
Victoria (ella) se unió a COLOR en noviembre de 2021. Ella es de San Antonio, Texas, y se identifica como Latinx/Tejanx. La familia de su padre es de Chile; la de su madre es mexicana y apache mescalero con una rica historia de música Tejana. Su madre es cantante de música Tejana, su abuelo tenía un grupo de mariachis y su tío abuelo es considerado el padre de la música Tejana. Siguiendo la tradición musical de su familia, Victoria pasó años tocando el violín en una orquesta, y toca el piano, la guitarra y otros instrumentos. Tiene una banda, un proyecto de solista, está involucrada en las escenas musicales de Denver/San Antonio y forma parte del colectivo Text Me When You’re Home de Denver. Victoria tiene un dulce labrador negro de 3 años llamado Metzi.
Victoria terminó su Licenciatura en Estudios Étnicos este verano pasado, y actualmente está terminando su último año para una Maestría en Fundamentos, Política y Práctica de la Educación, como parte de un programa de grado concurrente de 5 años. Sus áreas de pasión son los estudios étnicos, la abolición y la relación entre las políticas disciplinarias y el conducto que va de la escuela a la cárcel, y el compromiso de los jóvenes con la justicia social.
También le interesan los estudios decoloniales, el acceso al aborto (incluidas las doulas, los abortos autogestionados, la recaudación de fondos), la reducción de daños y los derechos de los trabajadores del sexo. Victoria inició y ayuda a dirigir un club de lectura en el que su ayuda mutua se centra en la comunidad de los sin techo y los hermanos encarcelados en Yanaguana Somi-Se’k (San Antonio/Condado de Bexar).
Pronombres de género preferidos: ella, de ella | De Greeley, Colorado | B.S en Contabilidad (Universidad de Denver) y Maestría en Administración Pública en Organización Sin Fines de Lucro (Universidad de Colorado – Denver) | COLORistx desde octubre del 2013
Lo que más le gusta de la vida en Colorado: Estar cerca de la familia, las buenas amistades, y las montañas
Restaurante local favorito: Todavía no encuentro mi favorito
Trabajo de mis sueños: Viajar por el mundo y ser un conocedor de vinos (criticar vinos regionales)
Trabajo que Kathy no haría en un millón de años: Guardia de prisión
La mejor parte de trabajar en COLOR: ¡las mujeres INCREÍBLES con las que trabajo y toda la comida!
Mayor extravagancia: mi gran jacuzzi y mi armario
Talento que a Kathy le gustaría tener: Hablar español con fluidez
Gina es una inmigrante de Morelos, México. Se involucró en el movimiento de justicia social desde 2007 después de ser testiga de los abusos hacia la comunidad inmigrante. Ha trabajado con varias organizaciones de derechos de los inmigrantes y cree que luchar por la justicia es su pasión. COLOR le da la oportunidad perfecta para seguir trabajando por la justicia y ayudar a las mujeres y los niños de la comunidad. Es Licenciada en Ciencias de la Computación por el Instituto Tecnológico de Zacatepec en México. Se mudó a Colorado hace 17 años y ahora vive en Denver con su hermosa hija, Gianella.
Elva se unió a COLOR como coordinadora de eventos y donantes en marzo de 2020 durante su último semestre en CU Boulder. Con una amplia experiencia en organización comunitaria y des-estigmatización del aborto, Elva estaba muy motivada para luchar por la justicia reproductiva en la comunidad Latinx al graduarse. Elva es una mexicana-americana de primera generación y la orgullosa primera mujer en su familia en recibir una licenciatura. Al recibir una licenciatura en Asuntos Internacionales con un enfoque en América Latina y una especialización en español en mayo de 2020, Elva se unió con tiempo completo para transformar la forma en que COLOR ve el desarrollo y las relaciones con los donantes. Cuando no está en las calles luchando por un cambio sistémico o en la oficina de COLOR platicando sobre el increíble trabajo de nuestra organización, puedes encontrar a Elva cuidando las 40 plantas de su casa, leyendo un buen libro, cocinando tamales o abrazando a sus 2 perritos.
Katherine se unió a COLOR en agosto del 2020 y tiene como funciones principales el apoyo político y legislativo, la investigación y el análisis, y la defensa. Katherine es una mexicana/salvadoreña-americana queer (¡orgullo chicana!), nacida y criada en Texas. Tiene una licenciatura en Antropología de la Universidad de California, Santa Cruz, donde comenzó su pasión por la justicia social, particularmente en torno a la migración, el género y la salud. Después de su graduación, Katherine se mudó a Estambul, Turquía, y pasó dos años enseñando y viajando para aprender más sobre refugiados en el país y las crisis humanitarias que provocan la migración. Cuando regresó a los Estados Unidos, Katherine comenzó a trabajar con el Comité Internacional de Rescate (IRC, por sus siglas en inglés) en Los Ángeles en el reasentamiento de refugiados y la preparación laboral de los solicitantes de asilo. Estas experiencias motivaron a Katherine a realizar una doble Maestría en Trabajo Social y Desarrollo Internacional con un certificado en Salud Global en la Universidad de Denver. Durante su carrera de posgrado, Katherine trabajó en la Oficina de Asuntos de Inmigrantes y Refugiados de la Ciudad de Denver, como trabajadora social de secundaria para adolescentes embarazadas y con hijos, y como asociada de investigación humanitaria especializada en migración, violencia de género y salud. Las experiencias vividas de Katherine con el aborto, la discapacidad visual y como mujer de color la han animado a trabajar en la intersección de las políticas, la organización comunitaria y la justicia social. A ella le encanta bailar, cocinar, acampar, y jugar con su gata, Nova.
Yadira Solis se unió a COLOR en agosto del 2019. Yadira Solis es una mexicana-americana de primera generación y una estudiante graduada de primera generación con una licenciatura en psicología, una especialización en ciencias políticas y un certificado de traducción español/inglés, y una maestría en trabajo social en la universidad Estatal Metropolitana de Denver. Los componentes importantes del trabajo social guían su trabajo preparatorio de igualdad, justicia social y diversidad como defensora de nuestras diferencias nos unen más. Yadira ha trabajado con First Generation Initiatives con estudiantes de primera generación y bajo el Centro para Igualdad y Logro Estudiantil, y el programa de College Assistant Migrant. Como parte de su alcance comunitario, ha sido miembro de la junta de Adelante Mujer Incorporated, que apoya a las jóvenes latinas para lograr una educación universitaria. También se ha desempeñado como defensora especial designada por el tribunal para los niños de Colorado en el sistema de crianza temporal. Por último, ofrece servicios de traducción para Rocky mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network. Para conectarse a sus raíces, baila danza folklorica mexicana, disfruta pasar tiempo con su familia y viajar. Uno de sus lemas de vida es que para tener éxito tengo que moler más fuerte que un molcajete.
Elizabeth Marie Taveras es cubana-dominicana y nativa de Miami, FL. Se licenció en la Universidad Internacional de Florida con especialización en comunicaciones de medios digitales y ciencias políticas. Su trabajo en Miami incluye la colaboración con varias organizaciones de base como Dream Defenders, Florida Immigrant Coalition y Miami Workers Center. También fue becaria de Kairos, que se centró en la intersección de la tecnología y la justicia racial. Elizabeth se convirtió en una organizadora comunitaria a través de Occupy Miami y desde entonces ha estado involucrada en la toma de acciones en varios temas, que van desde la justicia climática, la desinversión en las prisiones, la justicia para Palestina, la justicia de los inmigrantes, y el feminismo – siempre en la lucha por la liberación de las comunidades negras y marrones. Al llegar a Colorado, empezó a trabajar con el Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicios (SEIU, por sus siglas en inglés) Local 105 y colaboró con los conserjes de Denver, los trabajadores de la salud y los trabajadores del aeropuerto. Cree en el poder de cambiar las narrativas a través de comunicaciones estratégicas y significativas.
Aurea Bolaños Perea es nativa de Tijuana de San Diego, CA. Obtuvo su Maestría en Ciencias Políticas con énfasis en el comportamiento legislativo y las latinas en la política de CSU Chico en 2019. La participación de Aurea en movimientos políticos y consultoría política comenzó durante su tiempo en UC Merced como directora de organización del campus, donde estuvo a cargo de implementar y diseñar estrategias para la respuesta que los activistas estudiantiles tomaron en todo el sistema de UC. Desde entonces, ha entrenado a miembros de la comunidad, organizadores sin fines de lucro, líderes electos y líderes que pronto serán electos en todo el estado de California y la nación sobre organización política, habilidades de comunicación efectiva y más.
Siendo una persona que se preocupa sobre el empoderamiento político de cada mujer, Aurea cree que todas nuestras hermanas merecen estar involucradas en todos los aspectos del gobierno, por eso busca oportunidades en las que las latinas sean la fuerza impulsora para promulgar el cambio de política.
Como director de subvenciones y evaluación de COLOR, Vic (ellos/ellas/elles) aprovecha 20 años de experiencia en la recaudación de fondos de base y centrados en la comunidad para fomentar la confianza y asegurar las inversiones plurianuales de los socios de financiación estatales y nacionales para un presupuesto anual combinado de $2.1 millones de dólares de una empresa multi-entidad. Además, ayudan a evaluar y comunicar el impacto de más de 6 programas distintivos de jóvenes a ancianos en todo el estado, formando y educando a los participantes en salud sexual y reproductiva, así como en liderazgo. Vic defiende públicamente la equidad sanitaria como líder de opinión reconocido y autor publicado en el campo de la justicia reproductiva.
Su liderazgo de base incluye funciones profesionales, de voluntariado y de junta directiva con esfuerzos centrados en los derechos de los trabajadores, los derechos de los inmigrantes, los derechos humanos, la educación y la salud. Vic es licenciada en antropología por la Universidad de Denver Colorado y tiene un máster en gestión de organizaciones sin ánimo de lucro por la Universidad Regis, es becaria de Liderazgo Transformador para el Cambio 2019, profesora afiliada a la Universidad Regis en 2014 y nombrada por el alcalde para la Comisión de Mujeres de Denver en 2014.
Como creativa política, migrante de género, migrante crip, y feminista cuir que eleva las luchas de la diáspora latina, Vic es una narradora activa, intérprete de la palabra hablada, y artista visual comprometida con la ruptura del estigma.
Christina nació y creció en Dearborn, Michigan, y se licenció en Sociología y Estudios de la Mujer y el Género en la Universidad de Michigan. Christina cuenta con casi ocho años de experiencia en organización y gestión electoral. Empezó como organizadora en Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, donde trabajó con comunidades de las áreas metropolitanas de Detroit y Flint para defender las políticas que afectaban al acceso al aborto y a la atención sanitaria. Trabajó en coaliciones para centrar las historias de los defensores de los pacientes a través de programas electorales y de relatos. Durante su tiempo con PPAM, Christina también trabajó con socios en torno a la justicia del agua para los residentes de Flint – implementando programas de donación de filtros de agua, y distribuyendo información precisa a los inmigrantes en torno al agua limpia en el punto álgido de la crisis del agua de Flint. Christina se mudó a Colorado en 2019 y comenzó a trabajar con América Votes como directora del programa de Colorado, donde tuvo la oportunidad de trabajar con muchas organizaciones progresistas. Apoyó a los socios mientras construían sus estrategias electorales, coordinó los programas de contacto directo con los votantes y facilitó las reuniones de la coalición en torno a una estrategia compartida, las capacitaciones pertinentes y el apoyo a las medidas electorales. Antes de unirse al equipo de COLOR, Christina fue presidenta de la junta directiva de COLOR Action Fund. Christina tiene una pasión por la justicia reproductiva y la justicia social – ella sabe que la comunidad debe estar en el centro de todo lo que hacemos, y quiere que los funcionarios electos lo sepan también.
Mykaela es una orgullosa burqueña, nacida y criada en Nuevo México. Obtuvo su licenciatura en periodismo con una especialización en estudios transfronterizos en la Escuela Walter Cronkite de la Universidad Estatal de Arizona. Allí comenzó a informar sobre las complejidades de la economía transfronteriza y la política de inmigración, especialmente entre Estados Unidos y México, y a compartir las historias de las personas que se ven profundamente afectadas por ellas. Estas historias inspiraron a Mykaela a seguir una carrera en los derechos de las mujeres, después de ver las formas desproporcionadas en que las mujeres latinas experimentan la injusticia. COLOR le ha proporcionado un espacio para re-imaginar la liberación de nuestras comunidades junto al equipo más feroz, y es un verdadero honor. Mykaela es una conocedora del té dulce que ama la aliteración, la prensa libre y todos los perros que han existido.
