Sonoma State University hosted Los Cien Sonoma County’s 11th Annual State of the Latine Community Address (SOLCA). SOLCA is Los Cien’s largest and most anticipated gathering of the year, drawing over 550 attendees from across the region. The event provides inspiring panels, equity-focused keynote speakers, and actionable steps from local leaders to create positive change in the community.
Welcoming remarks were given by Magali Telles, Director of Operations for Los Cien, followed by Dr. Karen Moranski, SSU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
“We all have some ways to go as we support and honor the Latine heritage of the North Bay region. We work every day to let the Hispanic student population at Sonoma State know that this is their home, their community, and an important addition to their family,” Moranski said.
Óscar Chávez, President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, provided an overview of the State of the Latino Community Address and led by saying that people closest to the problem are closest to the solutions.
“We're going to demonstrate how we are beginning to do that. You've heard the term ‘Nothing about us, without us,’” he said.“We are going to showcase and talk about the ways our various institutions and organizations are driving the kind of change that is necessary to ensure Sonoma County truly is a place that works for every one of us.”
The event’s first panel, moderated by Adriana Arrizon, Executive Director of Health Action Together, focused on key findings from the Agenda For Action (AFA) report, which featured the human stories behind the data gathered in the Portrait of Sonoma County 2021 Update. The AFA report addresses the root causes of disparities through community members’ direct input, “placing the people in front of the data.”
The second panel, moderated by Melissa Valle, Interim Director of Sonoma County Office of Equity, focused on the first Racial Equity Action Plan and the importance of supporting antiracist practices, having spaces of belonging, and holding institutions accountable for equitable outcomes.
The concluding panel, moderated by Chávez, addressed systemic inequities and examined how philanthropy has to be rooted in the community voice. Panelists included Lisa Carreño, President and CEO of United Way of the Wine Country and J Mullineux, Executive Director of the Santa Rosa Junior College Foundation.
Los Cien was launched as a nonprofit in 2009, and SSU has hosted its annual event for the past 10 years. The goal of the Latine Community Address according to the platform's site is to “to inspire advocacy and push for systemic change that dismantles unfair systems and uplifts those most affected by disparities. By coming together at the table, we acknowledge the depth of pain and trauma experienced and commit to investing our collective efforts where they are most needed.”
Krista Sherer - Strategic Communications Writer