Unidos Somos Más (RECORDED)

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Progreso Latino Fund hosted a timely conversation that lifted up the stories of people who are committed to service and collective action in our community.

SAGE Civic Institute Founder Arden Santana moderated a wide-ranging discussion about how today’s leaders are creating change, strengthening our communities and inspiring the next generation to lead with purpose. The conversation celebrated the power of collective leadership and the belief that Unidos Somos Más: Together, We Are More.

What We Heard

• "Unidos Somos Más" points to the idea that a community's strength is built on each individual's gifts and talents.
• Storytelling is a key element of community-building.
• Panelists shared their early interests in the arts, music and storytelling helped shape their understanding of and capacity for leadership later in life.
• Leadership means showing up authentically. “The simple act of listening to someone is an act of leadership,” said panelist Juancarlos Soto-López.
• “Leadership is not about accolades, titles or accomplishments,” said Gypsy Garcia, Vice Chair of the Progreso Latino Fund Advisory Committee. “It's about the real everyday small moments that thread the tapestry of our community together and keep us all accountable to each other. Every thread in our collective tapestry is critical to keeping us stitched together.”
• Never let success end with you; think about who is coming up behind you.
• Social media can be a tool for authentic storytelling that can deepen connection.
• Small actions make us collectively resilient.

Resources

• Learn more about Progreso Latino Fund.
• Give to Progreso Latino Fund today, or learn more about establishing a philanthropic fund to give to the causes you care about in perpetuity.
• An Aunt's Love Scholarship Fund was established by Camille Ansley in 2023 in honor of her late, beloved nephew Derrick Jade Rodriguez Jr.
• ArtivismByJC
• SAGE Civic Institute
• Berry Good Banners
• Learn more about events hosted during Hispanic Heritage Month, and the organizations making them happen, including Flint Street Theatre, ARTE, Inc., and more.

Panelists

Camille Ansley, Agile Coach, is a strategic leader, community advocate, philanthropist and creative entrepreneur whose work is grounded in one central belief: people and communities thrive when someone helps turn possibility into opportunity. Her professional experience spans from the medical field to project leadership, organizational transformation, Agile coaching and more.

Keriany Otero Garcia, Worship Director and Entrepreneur, earned a B.S. in Communication Disorders with a minor in Medical Spanish and a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Southern Connecticut State University. She is passionate about using her voice, creativity and leadership to serve others, cultivate opportunities for growth, and inspire the next generation of Latine leaders to lead with purpose and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

Juancarlos Soto-López, Artist and Status Neutral Navigator, is a Puerto Rican community leader, artist and public health advocate. At Anchor Health, he is working to expand access to HIV prevention, sexual health education, and affirming care. He is passionate about creating opportunities, strengthening community and inspiring the next generation to lead authentically and boldly.

Moderator

Arden Santana, Founder, SAGE Civic Institute, is a consultant working at the intersection of education, culture and civic engagement. She partners with mission-driven organizations to co-create impactful learning tools that build civic literacy, cultural identity and real-world agency. Santana is the author of "Power in Practice," a framework for collaborative civic and economic empowerment in disinvested communities.

About National Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the heritage, history, traditions and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans whose heritage is rooted in Spain and 19 countries and territories: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. This year's theme, Unidos Somos Más, was selected by the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers. LEARN MORE