Keynote Speaker

Ivonne Coll| The Latina Image in Film and Television: Latinas in the U.S. have reached a new level of success and position in today’s world, but we still have a long way to go. Sadly, the Latina image is still impacted by stereotypical portrayals, especially on television and in film. Grab a front row seat and listen to the powerful story of one Latina who has traveled the rocky road television and film to breaking through and claiming a seat in an award winning hit show called, Jane The Virgin. Ivonne is one Latina who has seen it all. Her recent success as Alba Villanueva, the funny and resourceful grandmother to Gina Rodriguez in the show, gives us a birds eye view into her pivotal role in reversing some of the negative stereotypes of Latinas in today’s environment.

Panel Discussion

Brianna Carmen, Clarissa Martinez-de-Castro, Wildaliz Bermúdez, Eva Bermúdez Zimmerman | The Power of the Latino Vote in 2020: According to data from the Pew Research Center, Latinos are on track to becoming the largest nonwhite voting group by the 2020 election, 32 million strong. But are they casting their vote? Today’s candidates, regardless of party affiliation cannot afford to overlook the Latino community. Voter turnout is one of the many challenges facing Latinos today. What does our community need to know? How can they get involved besides voting? Latinas are the key to the 2020 elections because they are the head of their households and making key decision to ensure their families have what they need to succeed. Latinas have an opportunity to step into leadership roles to offer encouragement, guidance and hope. Identifying the common issues such as racism, discrimination, exclusion and motivation will be a part of this panel discussion.

A Special Gift to Our Audience

Andrea Navedo & Lisa Vidal | Two Latina celebrities will share their experience with Self-Care, Faith and Healing.

Pre-Symposium Topic Discussions

Erika Porras| Education Savings Plans for our Kids: Whether it is for your child or a child you care about, an education savings plan can help with their continued education after high school. Erika will share an option called 529 Savings Plan that is designed to encourage saving for future education costs.

Milly Arciniegas| Building a Parent-Led Movement in Schools & Districts: Encouraging and developing parents of children in urban schools to participate in educational decision-making is more important now than ever. This discussion explores how one parent took matters into her own hands by creating a parent engagement university.

Paula Parnagian| Establishing the Business Case for a Business Resource Group at Your Company: Business Resource Groups (BRG’s), have fast become a valuable resource for many companies with diverse employees. This session will share the experience of one company called Eversource, the largest utility company in the Northeast and their journey on a successful launch of BRG’s.

Spanish language topic discussion:
Sonia Alvelo| Cómo las pequeñas empresas están afrontando y girando durante COVID-19: Las pequeñas empresas en los EE. UU. y Puerto Rico están sintiendo la crisis financiera de la pandemia. Escuche a la propietaria de una empresa cómo está sobreviviendo y cómo está encontrando nuevas formas de mantenerse en el negocio.