A Series Celebrating Latino/a/e Chicano/a/e communities and culture

Overview:

Stories from the Barrio: Expresión Story Circles is a dynamic storytelling series created to amplify, honor, and celebrate the powerful narratives of Latino/a/e and Chicano/a/e communities. Rooted in culture, community, and connection, this series offers a vibrant space where personal stories become bridges, connecting generations, inspiring change, and building lasting comunidad.

Each gathering will blend live storytelling, cultural performance, and interactive dialogue, spotlighting the lived experiences of the communities that raised them. Together, we will reflect, share, and imagine new possibilities grounded in our collective power.

A special element of the series will include the creation of a “Barrio Map”, a collaborative visual of the neighborhoods we each come from. Participants will contribute stories that highlight the landmarks, traditions, and people that shaped them. These maps will honor the raíces (roots) embedded in our communities, and the generations who paved the way for us to teach, lead, and thrive.

Objectives:

• Amplify Latino/a/e Chicano/a/e Stories:
  Showcase the stories of Latinx educators and community members, revealing the resilience, brilliance, and impact of their lived experiences.

• Foster Community Building:
  Create affirming spaces for Latinx communities to connect, reflect, and celebrate shared roots, identities, and visions.

• Build the Barrio Map:
  Visually map the barrios and places that shaped us—honoring traditions, stories, and ancestral wisdom as powerful anchors in our personal and professional lives.

• Invite Deeper Engagement:
  Encourage participants to get involved with the Latinx Education Collaborative and Chicano Center for the Arts through fellowships, programs, and collective advocacy.

• Harvest Insight & Impact:
  Gather participant reflections and feedback to understand the influence of storytelling on individuals and the broader educational and cultural landscape.