¡Juntxs podemos tener las escuelas que los niñxs de Chicago se merecen!

I am a proud CPS parent, CPS grad, and former Golden Apple Scholar. I stand with the CPS students, teachers, and staff. I’m fighting for smaller classrooms, fully staffed schools that reflect the actual needs of the students and communities that they are serving, better pay for teachers, and justice for students and their families including: affordable housing, sanctuary schools, sustainable community schools, and restor­ative justice.

Please feel to download, print, color, share, display, and join the picket line with these 11X17 CTU solidarity posters.

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See you on the picket line! – xoxo Maya

FC Barcelona Bday!

Welcome to Messi Madness aka my son’s third birthday.  I was a year behind in posting last year’s pictures, so this year I am getting on it right away.

My little man is absolutely crazy about soccer and of course Lionel Messi. He runs through our home yelling “Mama soy Messi y mi hermano es Neymar Jr.”  When we asked him what theme he wanted for his birthday he had many ideas. But in the end he narrowed it down to FC Barcelona and Frida Kahlo.  While we didn’t end up with the Frida theme this year, he did insist on leaving the Frida Kahlo painting up in the kitchen so that everyone the party would see it.

Some of the highlights of the party included: a chocolate fondant soccer ball cake, royal icing soccer jersey and soccer ball cookies, chocolate soccer ball lollipops, lots of FCB diecuts (made on the Cricut Explore), chocolate covered Oreos with soccer toppers, a FCB fruit platter, and of course FCB gear for the whole family.

My little boy delighted that we FINALLY allowed him to eat a royal icing cookie.

The desert table.

The chocolate fondant soccer ball cake.

Chocolate soccer ball lollipops.

Royal icing cookies.

Our family in full FC Barcelona gear.

The epic FCB fruit platter made by my dear friend Lamia.

Custom plates for the birthday boy.

Our awesome photographer also wore FCB gear.

Chocolate soccer balls.

I wish I had more time to decorate the porch, but with two small children I had to pick my “battles” and decided to focus my energy on the inside. However my wonderful papi made the impossible happen and somehow magically jerry rigged this flag into place. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the DELICIOUS tacos from Cafe Catedral– hands down the best party food ever.

And of course my little Messi periodically stopped partying and got in some serious kicks.

Stay tuned for photos of my second son’s first birthday coming in August. This will be our second Elmo themed birthday, as my first son also celebrated his first birthday in Elmo style.

Photos by Nick Cartwright

Tanya Cabrera talks about undocumented students rights

I had the privilege of interviewing DREAM activist and community leader Tanya Cabrera for New Futuro. Check out this video with Cabrera detailing the educational rights of undocumented students, and share the full article with any interested students.

Undocumented Students: private institutions may be more affordable

UPDATE:  Due to tech difficulties, we will be re-airing last week’s Spanish interview with Doña Catalina, Guatemalan community activist and leader. Our interview with Tanya, Maria, and Taylor will be airing next week 7/22.

Learn about college opportunities for undocumented students on today’s Poco a Poco radio show. We interviewed Tanya Cabrera, the Associate Director of Minority Outreach and Undocumented Student Liaison at IIT and IIT student leaders Maria Gonzalez and Taylor Hayes.

Maria Gonzalez, a brilliant sociology major and undocumented student leader, shares her experiences transferring from a Harold Washington, a Chicago City College, to the Illinois Institute of Technology, where she received an almost a full ride to college.  Maria discovered that while private institutions may not blatantly say “this funding is for undocumented students” they are not dependent on state funding, so their requirements are often such that you do not need to fill out a FAFSA to be considered. She encourages students to seek out these resources.

This interview covers every thing from: talking to your family, talking to your counselor, finding funding sources for college, supporting your child, the Dream Act, and being and ally to the movement. Tune into today 7/15 to Poco a Poco at 1:30 CST on http://wluw.org or for those folks in Chicago, you can listen on the radio on WLUW 88.7 FM.

Fractured Jewishness

Is being half-Jewish, like being half-pregnant? Yes.

Intrigued? Want to hear more?

I have the honor of being the keynote speaker at the Half Jewish?” The Heirs of Intermarriage conference at Northwestern University, which runs from 4/20-4/22. My Friday night talk will center around the construction and the perpetuation of fractured cultural identities. On Saturday my dear friend Yoni Sarason, aka The St. Lou Jew, aka Midwest Director of Birthright Next, will be speaking on a panel with Dan Libenson, moderated by Denise Handlarski.  Come check out the conference.  Meet some lefty Jews.  Learn and mingle.

Register here.

 

Digital. Creative. Conceptual. Think Tank Team.

Ladies and Gents, life is good.  I am the Creative Director for New Futuro.

New Futuro provides Latino families with fully bilingual resources and tools to get students into college and beyond! We are committed to making you an education rockstar!  We will  teach you how to get into the college of your dreams with money to pay for it.  It’s all about making the right classes at the right time, knowing the right people, and getting involved with the right groups.  College is your future,  so why should it be a challenge to get there?  New Futuro will help you achieve your dreams through education! 

Read more about my #awesome creative team here.

Miguel del Valle Inspires Supporters to Keep Fighting for Reform, Declaring, “This is Chicago!”

repost of press release from www.delvalleformayor.com

Del Valle envisions new youth leaders emerging from campaign

February 22, 2011 (CHICAGO)– After an impassioned campaign on behalf of Chicago’s neighborhoods, Miguel del Valle pledged to keep fighting for a citywide progressive agenda.

“What will be your role?” del Valle asked a crowd of supporters at his campaign’s Election Night party at Revolution Brewing restaurant. “We’ve started something here. All the young people in this room–there are future leaders here, I know that.”

State Senator Iris Martinez and State Representative Cynthia Soto introduced del Valle who welcomed his wife, daughter, and three sons to the stage. The entire family worked on the campaign, from recruiting and organizing volunteers to shooting YouTube videos.

“This was a grassroots effort,” Sen. Martinez said. “And it was a victory for everyone in this room.”

Del Valle led citywide conversations on issues ranging from neighborhood schools to the parking meter contract. “We set the agenda,” del Valle said. “An agenda that means progress for all, not for some.” A diverse coalition rallied behind that agenda, including seniors, veterans, and high school students.

Del Valle has always said that time, not his opponents, was his worst enemy during the race. Tonight, he encouraged his supporters to keep believing in the city they envisioned during the campaign.

“Give it time,” he said. “It’s not going to happen overnight. But I have been inspired by the number of people who want change in this city. And we’re not going to get that change without organizing our neighborhoods.”

Huddled around tables and on staircases, volunteers continued to discuss a citywide organizing vision for Chicago’s communities. They batted around ideas for new models to improve neighborhoods, formed new relationships, and continued to build the coalition started during del Valle’s campaign.

“Chicago is ready for reform,” del Valle said. “I know that because a lot of people did not vote in this election. They feel disgusted about Chicago politics. And we have to give ‘em hope.”

Escobar-Morales

Artist Statement and Bio
Escobar-Morales is a team comprised of Maya Escobar and Andria Morales. The two artists, based in Chicago and Philadelphia respectively, have been working together over the Internet since 2010. They produce digital media and performance art that explores the role of self-representation in visual culture and its ability to deconstruct ingrained ideological conventions. By locating their performances online where they are free from restrictions of time and place, Escobar-Morales is able to concurrently enact multiple personas while simultaneously creating a unified hybrid self.

Maya Escobar was born in Chicago, IL in 1984.  Andria Morales was born in 1982 in New York, NY.  Escobar received a BFA from the School of the Art Institue of Chicago (2007) and an MFA from Washington University in St. Louis (2009); Morales received a BA from the University of Pennsylvania (2004) and an MFA from Tyler School of Art, Temple University (2008).

Internet Art & Activism- the #delValleMural

I am a Chicago-based digital media and performance artist. I created this grassroots, social media, portable mural in support of Miguel del Valle‘s campaign for Mayor.

follow hashtag: #delValleMural to see how the mural was created.