Presented at Seguimos Creando Enlaces, a conference connecting libraries across the U.S., Mexico, and beyond
Sometimes the right opportunity comes from connections you’ve built close to home. That’s how I ended up in San Diego, presenting CalMatters initiatives to a room full of library staff and librarians. Ana Villalpando, Literacy Coordinator at the Long Beach Public Library at the time, invited me after seeing the work I’d been doing in the community, co-designing CalMatters for Learning with local libraries and teachers.
In Long Beach, I spent time visiting libraries, meeting staff in person and virtually, collaborating with teachers already using our content, and attending REFORMA events to understand the needs of Latino and Spanish-speaking communities. These relationships built the foundation that led to this speaking opportunity—and to a chance to share our platform with a broader audience.
My goal for the presentation was simple: give the platform enough depth to be useful, but leave plenty of room for questions, conversation, and interaction. Arriving early gave me a chance to settle in, attend a few sessions, and enjoy the sunny San Diego vibes before taking the stage.
The audience was exactly who I wanted to reach—library staff who connect daily with the communities CalMatters aimed to serve. I even navigated some Portuñol along the way, keeping the conversation authentic and approachable. Seeing what excited attendees, hearing their questions, and learning what confused them in real time gave me insights I’ve carried forward in how I present and engage with this audience.
Key professional skills demonstrated
Public Speaking, Community Engagement, Bilingual Communication, Educational Content Design, Event Participation