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I live in the neighborhood where George Floyd was killed,” explains Catalina Morales, an activist on the front lines of change. “I want to bring pan dulce to my neighbors.” This instinct to lean in and show our love and empathy is an instinct we would all do well to follow. Catalina has spent her...

Denise Collazo, senior advisor for external affairs of Faith in Action, urges Latinas to “follow African American women because they have operated successfully on the frontlines for ages.” “Our African American sisters have been helping make the lie of the American Dream more true since before the country was founded,” she added. To Black and…

You may not have heard of the artichoke capital of the world—Castroville, California—but you definitely need to hear and know more about Denise Padín Collazo, a leader, advocate, director and author who coincidentally was born in Castroville. Senior advisor for external affairs and director of institutional advancement at Faith In Action, (formerly PICO National Network),…

Trigger Warning:  Mention of rape, sexual assault and violence against women. Violence against women is often generational   In my family, and likely in yours, violence against women is generational. What violence against women looked like for my grandmothers My Abuela Lela hit her limit seventy-five years ago on the day my Abuelo Marcos threw…

My husband Julio César snapped this picture while he was driving. It shows 3 traffic signals. Two of them have both the green and red lights on, the other has a red ‘no left turn’ arrow lit up. This picture sums up the year 2020. The malfunctioning street lights in the picture send mixed signals…

On a hot, sunny afternoon, the week of July 22, 2019 I finally felt at home.

During times of great chaos, innovation is key. If anyone would have asked you last October how you would be spending your 2020, neither you nor I would have been able to imagine how much our lives would have changed. Yet, I am encouraged by all of the women of color who are finding ways…

Hi! I’m Denise Padín Collazo and welcome to my new website. I grew up in Castroville, California. As a young person, I got involved in the fight for justice in this country. Along the way, I have had many experiences as the first Latina to raise a family and have a career in community organizing…

In the days after George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police, we have seen thousands of people protest across the country demanding change. They are a result of inhumane and unjust systems that have wreaked havoc on black communities for generations and leadership that has failed to hold police accountable.