Community Day

Saturday, August 17, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Free & Open to All
Aspen Meadows Resort

To stay true to our commitment to the city of Aspen, the festival will offer a full day of community-focused programming. The celebration will be co-hosted by Annie Gonzalez, Diana Maria Riva, Curly Velasquez, Lisa Vidal. Live performances by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklorico, DJ Jadaboo and Latin Grammy Award Nominee, GUSI. Visit the Food & Beverage experience, engaging panels, and kids activities. The program line up is subject to change.

Hub Tent

August 17, 2024

Location: Anderson Park (Aspen Meadows)

10:00 am - 10:20 am

DJ Jadaboo

10:20 am - 10:30 am

Welcome and Opening Ceremonies by Mónica Ramírez, President of Justice for Migrant Women, Olga Segura, Co-founder & Vice President, The Latinx House

10:30 am - 10:45 am

Celebrity Co-hosts Welcome by Annie Gonzalez and Curly Velasquez

10:45 am - 11:05 am

Eric Michael Hernandez, Native American Hoop Dancer

11:05 am - 11:35 am

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Folklórico performance

11:35 am - 11:45 pm

DJ Jadaboo

11:45 pm - 12:10 pm

Denver Indian Singers and Dancers

12:10 pm - 12:35 pm

DJ Jadaboo

12:35 pm - 1:30 pm

Hector Arias, Dance Performance and Class

1:30 pm - 1:55 pm

DJ Jadaboo

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

GUSI, Music Performance by Latin GRAMMY Award Nominee – Best Contemporary Tropical Album

Food & Beverage Experience

August 17, 2024

Location: Albright Pavilion (Aspen Meadows)

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Cafecito con Cafeteras
Moderator: Charlotte Castillo, Managing Director, Poderistas
Speakers: Claudia Suarez, Co-Owner of Cafe con Cariño, Program Director of Oakland Bloom, Angelique Sina, Chief Farmer and Founder, Panorama Farm

Coffee is part of our heritage and one of the beverages that conjures memories of growing up. In addition to being part of our culture, coffee has also been crucial for the economy and well-being of many community members across the Caribbean and Latin America. During this chat we will learn about some of the history of this beloved beverage, as well as about some of the ways that Latinas are leading in the coffee industry.

10:45 am - 11:15 am

Art of Chocolate​
Moderator: Maria Hinojosa, Journalist, Anchor & Producer of Latino USA on NPR, Founder & CEO of Futuro Media Group, Pulitzer Prize Winner
Speakers: Rufi and Connie, Chocolate Makers, Co-Owners of Rufi’s Cacao

To many of us, chocolate is a scrumptious dessert, perhaps even a guilty pleasure, but to others cacao beans are a sacred ingredient that keeps the ancestral connection to the motherland alive. During this session, we will learn more about the time tested techniques and the cultural significance of Oaxacan chocolate making, directly from the mother/daughter duo behind Rufi’s Cacao, a pop-up shop based in Oakland, California.

11:30 am - 12:15 pm

Building a Successful Brand
Moderator: Lili Gil Valletta, CEO and Co-Founder of Culture+ Group
Speakers: Lynnette Marrero, Founder, Speed Rack and Master Mixologist Delola, Natasha Sofia, Brand Ambassador, Mijenta Tequila and Sin Prisa Brand, Bricia Lopez, Chef, Author and Co-Owner I Love Micheladas/Guelaguetza

Latinas are among the fastest growing entrepreneurs in the United States. Thousands of them are striking out to build their own award-winning, successful brands from clothing to self-care products to food and beverage brands. Learn from Latina leaders and brand-makers about how they got their start and what it has taken to make a winning plan to launch and grow their brands.

Kids Corner

Location: Walter Resnick Health Center

11:00 am - 11:45 am

Reading Hub with Cánticos and Susie Jaramillo

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm

Kid’s Movement with Cali Gonzáles

1:00 pm - 1:45 pm

Arte with Favianna Rodriguez

NORTH STAR TENT: CONVERSATIONS

10:00 am - 10:05 am

Welcome by Co-hosts: Lisa Vidal, Actress, Singer, Producer
Diana Maria Riva, Actress, Co-Founder of Latinas Acting Up

10:05 am - 10:35 am

Latine Fashion Panel
Moderator: Lisa Vidal, Actress, Singer, Producer
Speakers: Mario de la Torre, Fashion Designer
Suki Armendariz, Hat Atelier Suki Palomina

Fashion is art and expression. It is a way to preserve
and express culture. Garments and accessories are tangible treasures that help tell the stories of people and places with colors and patterns. Latine designers are among the most elite culture-keepers and innovative creators in the fashion industry. Learn from them about their craft and their incredible creations.

10:35 am - 11:10 am

Overcoming White Supremacist Division, Fireside Chat
Moderator: Paola Ramos, Journalist, Author, Contributor of
Telemundo News & MSNBC
Speakers: Rashad Robinson, President Color of Change

Stark divides are being drawn among communities
and even countries. These divisions are particularly focused on
targeting and separating communities who have historically been
marginalized and disenfranchised as a tactic to not only drive a
wedge between them but also to hold them further behind. This
conversation will focus on educating attendees about this issue and
how organizations, movements and every day people are working
to combat these harmful measures.

11:10 am - 11:30 am

Introduction and Remarks by FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez

11:35 am - 12:05 pm

Connectivity: A Barrier and An Opportunity
Moderator: Jesse John Garcia
Speakers: Olga de la Torre, Director of Legal Affairs, T-Mobile Puerto Rico and Mayra Macias, Executive Director, Building Back Together

Coming out of the pandemic there has been a greater urgency to ensure that our nation, and the world for that matter, is more effectively connected. The investments under the Biden Administration to build out, as well as fortify, our infrastructure include a sizable investment in broadband as part of the solution. Even with those investments rural America provides a greater challenge and urgency, considering the varying landscapes, the remoteness of some communities, the unique needs of the agriculture industry, and much more. Wireless broadband has proved to be an essential part of the solution here and even been a lifeline for many hit by natural disasters, such as those across Puerto Rico over the last few hurricane seasons when traditional landline telecommunications went out. This session will explore how to ensure that individuals have access to good quality, affordable and fast internet connections. It will explore actual examples of innovations in the industry and where current and future legislative measures should direct the continued build out needed to close the digital divide and it will discuss actions that everyday people can take to promote access to quality internet services and programs.

12:05 pm - 12:55 pm

One Year in Uvalde
Moderator: Silvia Foster-Frau, National Investigative Reporter, The Washington Post
Speakers: John Quiñones and Maria Elena Salinas

Gun violence has torn through communities and left
families, neighbors, schools, and many others in shambles left to
pick up the pieces. Uvalde Texas, Robb Elementary School, May
24, 2022 are names and dates that few will forget due to the tragic
and senseless mass shooting that occurred there, leaving 19
children and two teachers victims of senseless violence.
Journalists, like Maria Elena and John, told their stories, their
truths and the facts as they unraveled. Hear their first hand
accounts about covering this tragedy and their book that
documents it.

1:00 pm - 1:40 pm

Latinx Top Chefs
Moderator: Diana Maria Riva
Speakers: Chef Byron Gomez and Chef Manny Barella

Competition shows have taken the culinary world by storm, forever changing the lives of chefs all over the country. In this candid conversation, 2 former Top Chef contestants talk about their experience, describe what it’s like to represent our culture in a platform of this magnitude and discuss the impact that the show has had on their careers and personal lives.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) will provide commuter bus services from Rifle to Aspen on Saturday, August 17, 2024 between 7:30 am and 6:00pm. To reach Aspen Meadows on August 17th, commuter buses services will be available to the Hallam St + 8th St stop in Aspen. The walk is about 15 minutes between the bus stop and the Festival. Attendees who present a RFTA voucher when boarding the commuter bus will be able to ride the commuter bus for free. You can print, take a screenshot, or cut out the voucher and show it to the bus operator. Free rides are valid on all RFTA regional routes, including Hogback, BRT, and the Roaring Fork Valley Local. For trip planning and real-time bus tracking, visit www.myrfta.com.

Download a digital coupon to ride RFTA free to Community Day

DOWNLOAD

The program line up is subject to change.