Corazón Chicano: Past Stories, Present Voices, Future Power

“Honoring our ancestors, learning from their legacy, uplifting our voices, and shaping the future.”

We invite the Kansas City Chicano/a/e community to gather for a powerful intergenerational listening session a space where past and present come together to envision the future.

This event honors the voices of two generations of Chicano/a/e communities: those who paved the way with resilience and activism, and the young leaders carrying that legacy forward today. Through storytelling, reflection, and dialogue, we will recognize the struggles and triumphs that have defined our community while lifting up the visions and energy of the next generation.

💬 During this event, you’ll:
✨ Honor our roots– Hear stories of cultural history, resilience, and activism that have shaped our neighborhoods and community identity.
✨ Lift up the next generation – Young Chicano/a/e activists will share how they are giving voice to our community today and building the future of KC.
✨ Reflect and engage together – Participate in meaningful discussions that connect our histories with today’s challenges and opportunities.
✨ Build toward collective power – Collaborate across generations to identify ways to support, strengthen, and unite the Chicano community in Kansas City.

This is more than a listening session—it’s a moment to connect, to honor, and to pass the mic between generations so our community’s corazón continues to beat strong into the future.

Scheduled Speakers:

Meet Gisselle Guardado
Gisselle Guardado is a proud first-generation college student at Johnson County Community College. She is pursuing liberal arts and construction management before transferring to a four-year university to study social work, with dreams of becoming an immigration lawyer.

At JCCC, Gisselle has been deeply involved in Latinos United Now & Always (LUNA), where she served as Social Media Director, Secretary, and eventually President in 2024. Under her leadership, LUNA raised over $17,000 for first-generation students through Cambio Para Cambio.

Originally from Atlanta with roots in El Salvador and Honduras, Gisselle proudly carries her heritage with her and is driven by her passion for helping others and uplifting her community.

Meet Angela Cervantes

I was born just after midnight on April 11th, and my mom named me Angela because she said I looked like an angel, she still says that.

Writing stories about Latinx children has always been my dream. I’ve been writing since I was little—short stories, poetry, even scary tales for friends in the summer. That mix of embarrassment and pride when teachers read my work aloud is the same feeling I carry about writing today.

My latest novel is The Cursed Moon, a scary story for young readers. My other books include Lety Out Loud (Pura Belpré Honor Book), Gaby, Lost and Found (Best Youth Chapter Book, International Latino Book Awards), Allie, First at Last (starred review from Kirkus), and Me, Frida and the Secret of the Peacock Ring (Junior Guild Selection, Texas Bluebonnet List).

I also wrote Maritza: Lead With Your Heart for American Girl’s World By Us series, adapted Pixar’s Coco into a junior novel, and wrote Disney’s Encanto: Junior Novelization—which was so much fun! 🔹 American Girl has named Raquel the 2025 Doll of the Year, with her story written by Angela.

📅 Date: October 23 2025 ⏰ Time: 6:00pm to 8:00pm 📍 Location:2301 Lexington Avenue Kansas City, MO 64124

Food and drinks provided.

The American Girl Raquel Doll will be raffled, must be present to win.

Come with corazón ❤️, curiosity, and your voice. Together, we carry forward the legacy of our ancestors and amplify the power of our comunidad.

#CorazónChicano #HonoringOurAncestors #ChicanoCultura #YouthVoices #CommunityPower #Storytelling

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Host or Publisher Latinx Education Collaborative