Latinas from across the United States are gathering in Arlington this weekend for a leadership and empowerment conference.

The Latinas Make a Difference: Power Up Summit holds its first in-person event at the Loews Arlington Hotel and Convention Center, 888 Nolan Ryan Expressway. The event, which starts with an evening reception and conversation about storytelling on Sept. 20, will continue on Sept. 21 with panels, master classes and workshops.

TV personality and author Lilliana Vazquez will host the event with an appearance by Emmy winner and author Gaby Natale, who started her “SuperLatina” television show out of an Odessa carpet warehouse.

Sessions include “Learning to Take Care of You” by certified yoga and meditation instructor Cynthia Aguillón Bernard; “Standing Firm in My Worth” by author and speaker Daisy Auger-Dominguez; and “Putting Your Dinero to Work” by financial educator Lea Landaverde.

“As the largest group of women in the country, Latinas possess the power, strength and ability to transform our nation and move the needle toward hope and transformation,” said Charlotte Castillo, managing director of Poderistas, a nonprofit organization that encourages Latinas to use civic engagement in their lives.

The summit, she said, is intentionally taking place in Texas during Hispanic Heritage Month and serves “as a powerful reminder of the vital contributions Latinas have made and continue to make in shaping the fabric of our society.” Hispanic Heritage Month stretches from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. 

“We are not just participants but pivotal architects in the fight for social justice, economic equality, and cultural vibrancy,” Castillo said in a statement. “Our influence stretches across every sector, from business and technology to education and the arts, proving time and again that when Latinas lead, communities thrive, and the nation progresses.”

The event is based on Poderistas’ four pillars – economic, personal, cultural and civic power. Sessions will provide attendees with resources, motivation, information and ideas for action to make changes within communities. 

“Whether you’re a seasoned leader or a passionate mujer (woman) ready to step into your power, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow,” a news release said. “It’s for the bold, the passionate, and the unstoppable — those who are ready to lead the way and create the future we all envision.”

“The program is designed to get to the heart of Poderistas’ mission and purpose: building, harnessing, and showcasing the power of Latinas to create change, uplift communities, organize, define their own pathways, raise their families, and celebrate and amplify their culture,” the news release said.

The event is sponsored by AARP, Siete Foods and the Dallas Mavericks. Tickets range between $25 and $50 each. 

Eric E. Garcia is a senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org. 

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