GRITA TU IDENTIDAD
Shout Out Your Identity!
The Hey Neighbor Team had an incredible meeting with Julissa Sota, a member of the Colorado Springs Latino Chamber of Commerce and the founder of Julissa Soto Latino Health Equity Consulting.
Julissa shared her inspiring story as an immigrant child who arrived in America in the trunk of a car. She recounted her journey through numerous hardships, which ultimately motivated her to become the remarkable person she is today.
Julissa’s insights helped us gain a deeper understanding of our Latino neighbors and the importance of bilingual inclusion, connection, relationship-building, and creating positive change within vibrant communities.
We were honored to be invited to her Latina Conference in Aurora, Colorado, where the theme was “Grita tu identidad,” which translates to “Shout out your identity!” Women from all over the state converged on this safe, diverse, fun, healing space.
Julissa is committed to health equity, especially mental health, isolation, and suicide in Latino communities. There were mental health organizations and resources at the event, both local and statewide.
Julissa emphasized that we are not defined by our struggles but by the strength we have gained from overcoming them.
The conference featured intergenerational Latina women from diverse backgrounds sharing their stories, which was an uplifting and inspiring experience. The atmosphere was filled with what connects us: great music, delicious food, dancing, an abundance of joy and laughter, and most of all storytelling.
Julissa believes that even challenging conversations and situations can transform into meaningful connections through storytelling, shared meals, music, and dancing.
Julissa received a proclamation from the city of Aurora to make Feb 7 each year an ongoing GRITA TU IDENTIDAD, Julissa Soto Day.
The stories shared during the conference were filled with themes of survival, gratitude, and hope, which will undoubtedly be passed down to future generations. Each individual’s life journey holds the potential to make a significant impact, transforming families, communities, cities, nations, and the world.
Julissa encourages everyone in our neighborhoods to embrace their role as ambassadors of change and hope. By reaching out, including, and embracing one another with love, we can create a more inclusive and harmonious community.
