While all of you are reading this, I’m on the road again, this time returning to Detroit for a busy few days that I hope will recenter me and the work that I do.

Thursday I will be at the Women’s Media Equity Collaborative Summit.

A day long session of exchange in a nourishing environment
++ to build a strong women centered media movement
++ that broadens outreach, evolves programs and is sustainable

* In Detroit a new women’s media strategy will evolve. POLICY in action!
* Emphasis on attendees from groups led by women of color, low income women, queer women, the disabled and moms – focus for scholarship assistance
* “Being there” is vital for long term sustainability of women led media

Critical initiatives to explore and build:
* Create Trust & Relationships across race/class/geography/media-genre borders
* Share Field Developments and discuss the results of the survey
* Build For The Future, embrace new digital paradigm along with political/economic shifts
* Envision a New Fund that is sustainable and responsive to critical field needs
* Advocate Gender Justice amidst independent media and the larger public sphere

From Friday, I will be at the Allied Media Conference

The Allied Media Conference is the central project of the Allied Media Projects (AMP) network, which emerges out of ten years of organic relationship-building. Since the first conference (then the Midwest Zine Conference) in 1999, people have been compelled by the concept of do-it-yourself media. Later, as the Underground Publishing Conference, the emphasis was on building a movement of alternative media makers. With the shift towards Allied Media, the AMC has attracted more and more people who are interested in using participatory media as a strategy for social justice organizing.

VivirLatino, my work as a mami’activist, a poeta, through Speak, and for the Sanctuary, is connected to my life and my values. The work that I do I don’t do for a check or for fame or recognition. It’s done because it has to be done, because it’s the kind of world I want to live in and strive for, because I am la comunidad and the comunidad is me and my hijas and you.