The Book of Awesome Latinas | Panel Discussion with Mirtle Peña-Calderón
About this Event
What does it mean to build something as a Latina? Not just a business, a book, or a platform, but a legacy, community, and space where the next generation of Latinas has somewhere to land. On Friday, August 14, at 7 p.m., Books & Books welcomes three Latina builders for an intimate, honest, and inspiring panel conversation about what it really takes to create something meaningful: the vision behind it, the labor within it, and the community that makes it possible.
Moderated by Marivette Navarrete, the panel will explore:
- Why we build: What gap did each of us see that made us create something? Who told us we could or couldn't?
- The labor behind the building: The invisible work, the doubts, and the moments we almost stopped
- Community as infrastructure: How do we build spaces where Latinas truly belong?
- Story as legacy: How does telling Latina stories change what future Latinas believe is possible?
- What we're building next: A forward-looking, energizing close
Meet the Women:
Together, these three women represent three distinct but deeply connected acts of building: documenting the legacies Latinas have already created, architecting the communities we need right now, and building the platforms where future Latinas belong.
🎟 This event is FREE and open to the public and books will be available for purchase the night of the event! An RSVP grants general entry, but seating is not guaranteed, so please try and show up early. Please RSVP only if you intend to join us. Can't make the event?
About The Book
From the foremothers who blazed trails and broke barriers, to today's women warriors across a wide range of fields, including but not limited to medicine, literature, politics, civil rights, space exploration, and the arts. The Book of Awesome Latinas presents 74 portraits of powerful and inspiring role models for chicas poised to become the superwomen of the future.
Each person featured in this book has broken barriers, defied expectations, and made a lasting impact within their communities. Through their courage, resilience, and steadfast determination, they will serve as powerful role models for the next generation, proving that when representation is lacking, we must be brave and bold enough to be the first.
It features pioneers such as Frida Kahlo, who changed the art world forever with her bold biographical portraits; Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican woman to visit the stars; Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, an outspoken justice warrior and advocate; and America Ferrera, whose powerful monologue on womenhood in Barbie resonated across generations and creeds.
About The Author
Mirtle Peña-Calderón is a Dominican-American journalist, editor, and author with 13 years of experience in communications and media, specializing in Latino and Latine storytelling. She co-authored "The Book of Awesome Latinas" alongside Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda and has contributed to PEOPLE Magazine, People Chica, HOLA! USA, mitú, and more. She is the founder of Latinidad Collective, an independent media company that houses Los Cycle Breakers, a mental health platform for Latino and Latine communities, alongside her Substacks, Consider This A Note, and The Bocadito, and her editorial practice, El Edit Room.
Open about her own experience with chronic depression, Mirtle approaches mental health advocacy the same way she approaches storytelling: with honesty, care, and no shortcuts. Her work is guided by the belief that the communities most overlooked by mainstream media deserve stories told with the most intention
About Cat Lantigua
Cat Lantigua (she/her) is a Dominican-American author, community architect, and multi-disciplinary creative living in Miami. She is passionate about creating spaces that nurture soul-centered conversations, learning, creativity, and belonging. In 2024, she published her debut book Build It And They Will Come: A Guide to Architecting Intentional Community. In 2025, she founded the Awake Book Club, a book club dedicated to reading decolonized history books and engaging in futurist perspectives. In the same year, she also launched The Creative Sprint, a creative incubator where artists and change-makers come together to bring to life the ideas that will shape the new world.
She is a graduate of the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs at Florida International University.
About The Moderator
Marivette Navarrete is a bilingual content strategist, digital producer, and founder with 9+ years of experience creating social-first content and culturally relevant storytelling across media, entertainment, lifestyle, and brand campaigns. She founded The Mujerista, a digital platform and community that celebrates the stories, identities, and impacts of Latinas. Marivette previously worked at Univision, where she developed and produced digital and social content for lifestyle, entertainment, and major tentpole events. Her work centers on authentic storytelling, community engagement, and creating content that connects meaningfully with audiences.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00
