Joy Harjo, Poet Laureate

Photo credit: Joy Harjo

Have you heard the good news? Joy Harjo has been named the next U.S. poet laureate. A Tulsa native and member of the Muscogee Creek Nation (Mvskoke Nation), she will be the first Native American poet to hold this position. The talented Harjo has enjoyed a long career as a poet, writer and musician. Can’t wait to see how this multidisciplinary artist carries out her term! To learn more about Harjo, check out this article.

Breaching Colorism With My Little Girl

Photo credit: Carolina Adame

I’m so excited to share one of my personal essays about colorism, intergenerational pain and self love. Thank you New York Times for giving these issues a forum!

A Child Whisperer To The Rescue

Photo credit: Carolina Adame

If you have a child (or two, or three, or more), odds are high you’ve gone through an experience that left you feeling like you needed help. A lot of help. Expert help. Child whisperer help.

Enter Joshua Castillo. With over twenty years of experience in the early childhood field, Joshua is a true find. She patiently listens, gathers information and creates a plan to help you and your little one. Joshua’s main goal is finding a true connection between family members so everyone can thrive. She’s not trying to tell you how to raise your kids or what you’re doing wrong. And, her nonjudgmental approach comes through in all her interactions with parents and kids alike.

With a calm demeanor and a smile, Joshua provides families with the space to breathe and an opportunity to exist in harmony. That is, until the next issue pops up. Welcome to parenting!

Visual Storyteller Extraordinaire

Photo credit: Carolina Adame

Sometimes, capturing a moment in life requires the help of an expert. When there is a special visual story to tell, Carolina Adame is the woman to call. Carolina has a true artist’s eye and a natural ability to calm even the most jittering of subjects (her palo santo spritz and poem reading at the start of a photography session helps too). With this smiling photographer behind the camera, stories and feelings seem to come alive. Quite simply, her work is mesmerizing.

When I see Carolina’s photography, I’m always struck by how she is able to find such beauty in the little quiet moments, in the seconds we want to hold on to forever. I would not be surprised to find Carolina’s work on a gallery wall sometime soon. Her images are just that magical.

Currently, the busy mama of two is working on her first book project and somehow still finds time to document tenderness during individual sessions. If you want to memorialize those lovely but fleeting moments, Carolina is well worth the wait.

Photo credit: Carolina Adame

Photo credit: Carolina Adame

Learning Spanish at Chiqui Social

A family exploring Chiqui Social’s kitchen space. Photo Credit: Chiqui Social

Chiqui Social is taking language learning to another level. Created by Lizet Alvarez, Chiqui is an immersion studio that teaches Spanish in a fun and purposeful way. Instructors spread the joy of speaking Spanish to youngsters through a mixture of progressive and traditional teaching methods, with a heavy dose of lightheartedness.

Chiqui isn’t just for kids though. Parents are also welcome at Chiqui. The social hub has several offerings for grownups including workshops, family happy hours and mindful mommy and me classes.

Situated in Culver City, the studio is a calm home-like oasis, beautifully appointed with artisanal wares. Outfitted with a sunny cheerful kitchen, an outdoor space and a thoughtfully curated store; there is a little something for everyone at Chiqui.

If you want your children to learn Spanish and are looking for an inviting community, Chiqui is the place!

Lizet Alvarez, owner of Chiqui Social. Photo credit: Chiqui Social

Ready for play time in the studio space. Photo credit: Chiqui Social

Outdoor fun in Chiqui’s backyard space. Photo credit: Chiqui Social