Latino/a/e/x: Identity, Migration & Belonging in Boulder County
A conversation with Leticia Abajo, Lesly Fajardo-Feaux, Jose Jimenez, Marinela Maneiro Goodwin, and Mayor of the City of Lafayette Saul Tapia Vega. Moderated by Dr. Perla Delgado, Executive Director, “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County.
What does it mean to be “Latino” in Boulder County? Join us for a lively conversation exploring culture, politics, history, and the many lived experiences that shape Latino life in our region.
Live English to Spanish interpretation available.
About the Panel
Dr. Perla Delgado (moderator) joined “I Have A Dream” in 2020 with decades of leadership experience advocating for education equity and social justice. A Boulder native, she began working in the local community in high school and then later was employed by Emergency Family Assistance and Community Action Programs in Boulder. Perla came to IHDF from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, where she served as the Director and Principal Investigator of the College Assistance Migrant Program. She holds a Ph.D. in Education from Texas State University.
Lesly Fajardo-Feaux brings more than two decades of experience in government, nonprofit, and academic ins
titutions in Peru and Colorado. At JSI, a global public health organization, she leads community outreach and engagement for the MAP EJ Grants Hub across six states and 28 Tribal communitie
s. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Colorado Environmental Justice Advisory Board and previously managed a $20 million grant and investment portfolio at the Colorado Health Foundation.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Lesly holds master’s degrees in public health and political science. Her work centers on advancing health equity and ensuring BIPOC and immigrant communities have a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
A first-generation college graduate and Colorado resident for 21 years, Lesly draws inspiration from her two sons and her hope that every child has opportunities to thrive. Outside work, she enjoys exploring Colorado with her family, dancing, and cooking.
Jose Jimenez grew up in the immigrant community of Casa de la Esperanza and became a Dreamer guest in 2009. This personal background completely solidified his dedication to helping others overcome the obstacles faced by first-generation families. Driven by a passion for his community, Jose earned a Sociology degree as a first-generation graduate from the University of Colorado Boulder. Today, he is a resilient advocate who loves using his personal story to guide, mentor, and uplift future generations.
Marinela Maneiro-Goodwin holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Clinical Psychology and a Master’s degree in Organizational Development. She works as a consultant and mental health coach in the areas of parenting, effective communication, stress management, mindfulness, and substance abuse prevention. She has been working primarily with the Latino community and new immigrants in the Denver/Boulder region in various capacities, focusing on issues related to family dynamics, stress reduction, and education to improve people’s quality of life and help them make better choices. She works with community agencies and partners to offer culturally appropriate services for families. She is also the learning resource coordinator and community liaison at a school in BVSD.
Leticia Abajo Torrijos is a Family Educator, Mentor and Life Coach. She has worked with the Boulder County Spanish-speaking community since 1997 in various capacities, related to health and education. Graduated in Human Development and Family Relations from UCD, with a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from IEA in Madrid, Certified in Life Coaching from the Instituto D’Arte de Madrid, and a Certificate of Medical Interpretation from the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, Leticia has worked with organizations such as El Centro AMISTAD, BVSD, Head Start, CSPC, PIE or Boulder County Public Health, since 2001, as a Parent Educator, Connector, Interpreter and Teacher. This variety gives her a broad field of vision of the Spanish-speaking community, helping her to understand the needs, desires and dreams of individuals and families. Thanks to these experiences, Leticia is now DNU’s founder and CEO. LLC and non for profit company working with all types of communication. Leticia lives with her family, Alex, Ollie, Amara, and Tyson in Boulder County, she loves being creative and connecting with others.
Saul Tapia Vega serves as the Mayor of Lafayette and is among the youngest mayors in state history. A lifelong Lafayette resident, he launched his career as an entrepreneur at age 19 when he founded his first small business. Since then, he has dedicated himself to empowering local entrepreneurs and elevating underrepresented voices through key community leadership roles and volunteer work, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Boulder County. Prior to his election as Mayor, Saul served on the Lafayette City Council for two years. In his mayoral role, he prioritizes community advocacy, economic opportunity, addressing affordability, support for local entrepreneurs, and accessible, inclusive representation for every resident. In addition to his local office, Saul serves as Deputy Director of Community Engagement for the Office of the Governor, directing constituent advocacy and outreach efforts across the state.
This program is part of our Thursday Nights @ the Museum series. Join us every Thursday from Sept. 3 until Dec. 10 for concerts, films, and free talks in the Longmont Museum’s Stewart Auditorium.