Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month is a time to embrace the rich culture of Latinx communities in the United States. The month coincides with the independence of several Latin American countries and is a time to acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who came before as well as those who continue to fight for their rights and identity. 

Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 is recognized as Hispanic and Latinx Heritage month in North Carolina. In his executive order proclaiming the month, Gov. Roy Cooper highlighted this year’s theme: “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” which encapsulates the “spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that defines the Latino experience and recognizes all the Latinos who have been trailblazers and game changers, paving the way for future generations.”

Though the heritage month is coming to a close, a Charlotte-based nonprofit is just one example of the ongoing impact and leadership of the Latinx community in North Carolina.

Circle de Luz is a nonprofit organization with the mission of “radically empowering young Latinas by supporting their transformation through extensive mentoring, holistic programming and scholarship funds for further education.” Founded in 2008, their goal is to combat dropout rates among young Latinas in secondary education by assuring that every girl is given the opportunity to prosper both in school and at home. 

“One in five women in the United States is a Latina and, in Charlotte, Latinas are the fastest growing segment of our student population. Yet, daunted by poverty and lack of access, one in five Latinas does not complete high school and just 19% of Latina women have a college degree,” their website says. :The gravity of these statistics is amplified when factoring in that by 2060, one-third of the female population will be Latina.”

Circle consists of cohorts of young girls starting from seventh grade. The group stays with them across their educational careers until high school graduation. Over the course of six years, Circle nurtures future leaders across all kinds of challenges, both educational and personal. 

Upon high school graduation, students are awarded a $5,000 scholarship, helping them pursue the postsecondary path of their choosing. 

Circle is an organization that understands what kind of resources are needed for teens to strive academically and socially. They provide mentorship programs of all kinds touching on topics such as financial literacy, online safety, and teaching their students the importance of healthy habits. 

Circle recognizes the potential of their students early on by fostering an environment of support and sisterhood and giving young girls the space to learn and grow. Circle de Luz works to uplift all of its members and recognizes how success and comfort at home can translate to work in schools. As of today, they have a 100% graduation rate within their cohorts. 

Yanira Castro is a board member of Circle and Tere González is the executive director. Their mission is to create a community of Latinas who understand their identities and can share values across generations.

Meet Yanira Castro

Yanira Castro moved to Charlotte in 2008 to work in the marketing and advertising business. 

In 2017, she founded Humanity Communications Collective: “a boutique, social justice-driven, strategic communications consulting group focused on making human and emotional connections through real talk: digitally and in real life.”

Exclusively working with nonprofits, Castro found herself in a field where there was a need to help organizations find their voices digitally and effectively. 

“I love to teach people… I love to take young people in communications and help them understand how to use things and learn how to navigate work,”she stated.

Castro learned about Circle de Luz from a mutual friend and soon after was attending various events. After consistent involvement, she was asked to join their board of directors. She is currently entering her second year with Circle and strives to promote their work and involvement within the community. 

Castro discussed what Latina sisterhood means to her and how we can uplift each other during our hardest times.

“We have to continue to watch out for each other because nobody’s got us but us,” she said.

In Latinx culture, she said, it can be common for women to suffer in silence. It is deeply rooted in the culture and something that recent generations are striving to change. She advocates for reaching out to your sisterhood in times of need — providing each other with support through mentorship, promoting each other’s businesses, and most importantly, sharing stories of similar experiences. 

Meet Tere González

Tere González has been combating issues in gender equality and economic inclusion of historically excluded groups for over 20 years. She co-founded two nonprofits in Mexico and has worked at the United Nations Foundation, the Organization of American States, and the World Bank Group. 

“I’ve always been very passionate about social justice, and the environment. So since I was young, I had that curiosity and started getting involved in different social projects and initiatives,” she said.

González has been the executive director of Circle de Luz for the last two years. What struck her the most about Circle was the intentionality of their work. Naturally, both Circle and González shared similar values and goals.

“It was a perfect blend of so many passions and issues that I hold dear to my heart — advancing the success, the joy, the overall progress of Latinas in the United States,” she said. “When I saw that the mission was not only gender specific, but about advancing education, and the equitable paths towards postsecondary education for Latinas, I was like, this is a no brainer.”

González discussed how Circle takes a specific approach to fundraising. Mijas, or my daughters, is a term of endearment commonly used in Latinx culture. A way to show verbal love and affection to our younger generation. 

In Circle de Luz, mijas are a special kind of donor. Women from all backgrounds, including former Circle participants, come together to raise $5,000 dollars over the course of six years to be given to students upon their high school graduation.

“We want them to continue studying with the least amount of barriers possible. So mijas are this giving circle, and I love it, because it is true to our culture… We have madrinas. We have padrinos. We are used to collective, collectively making dreams come true,” González said. “So this is part of the cultural connection, and also with the mindset of making philanthropy affordable.”

González embraces the holistic approach that Circle takes to uplift members. The organization parnters with various agencies across Charlotte to provide resources and support families in whatever they may need. They also focusing on removing the barriers that can prevent students from focusing on their dreams and desires. 

“We are not just an academic program,” she said. “More so than anything, we support students and families as human beings, living and navigating systems that were not built for us.”

“No one is born knowing how to take notes or how to manage time in school, or how to have a difficult conversation with another student or a teacher, or how to ask for what you need and stand up for yourself,” she continued.

González leaves her girls and Latinx youth more broadly with one message:

“You got this, no matter what, you got this, because you are not alone. There are many, many other Latinas ready to support you… We are a very collectivist community by culture, and that’s part of our nature, so don’t be scared to ask for help or advice… Make sure you are taking care of yourself and loving yourself through it all. And when you feel you can’t, just say the word, and someone will be there.”

¡Viva Latina! feature

“It is a great piece of advice from Latinas, by Latinas, for Latinas”

— Tere González, executive director of Circle de Luz

Yanira Castro was highlighted in the book ¡Viva Latina!: Wisdom from Remarkable Women to Inspire and Empower by Sandra Velasquez. The anthology shares the empowering stories of Latina women across generations and celebrates Latina power, wisdom, and sisterhood. It features 50 inspiring stories and quotes from remarkable Latina women across various fields, such as business, entertainment, and social justice. These stories, including Yanira’s, capture transformative advice and the power of embracing one’s roots.

Circle promoted the launch of the book during Latinx heritage month, given that the book resonates with Circle’s mission of empowering and uplifting Latinas. A portion of the proceeds from the copies sold will go toward programming and wraparound services to both students and their families.

Castro discussed how Velasquez shared with her that this was “our book,” referring to everyone whose stories were shared. The work strengthens the idea of sisterhood one story at a time and demonstrates the power of visibility to younger generations. 

Castro shares that “the book is timeless” and “there’s stories in here for everybody.”

“We’re not doing anybody any favors by keeping all of our accomplishments to ourselves,” she said, referring to the significance of storytelling and mentorship.

The book is an encapsulation of the testament of sisterhood, leadership, and the force of Latinas in America. 

She leaves Latinx youth with this advice:

“Don’t assume somebody’s going to tell you no…Pput yourself out there, be visible… You don’t know somebody’s going to say no to you, so you might as well go and ask. If you get a no, you’re in the same place you were before you asked… Don’t reject yourself first.”