Immigrant Stories (LIVE EVENT!) 2023

Victor Rodríguez Tafoya grew up in a small, rural town in central Mexico. He is a first-generation immigrant, English language learner, and Veteran of the US Marine Corps. Victor applied his unique perspectives to journalism, specializing in news coverage, and is proud to hold a degree in Intercultural Communications. He strives to become a communication specialist and help people from similar backgrounds: both veterans and first-generation immigrants, for whom English is their second language. Today, Victor creates culturally sensitive spaces for people to share their stories out loud and build communities where they feel both seen and heard.

Anmol Pavade (un-mole pava-day) is the eldest daughter of Punjabi and Tamil immigrants. As a storyteller, cultural steward, and earth advocate, and future ancestor, Anmol is passionate about bridging the gap between the past and the present.

Kevin Aliado is a Filipino immigrant who moved to the US in 2004. He spent a total of 18 years living in Las Vegas and the Bay Area before happily settling down in Sacramento last year. After working in the software and technology industry for over five years, Kevin has recently started a career change to become a mental health therapist focusing on serving the immigrant community. He is very passionate about poetry, spiritual healing, and diving headfirst into immersive solo travel adventures.

Monse is a student "from here," "from there," and sometimes "from every other where."  With a Mexican passport and a California driver's license, they enjoy connecting through Latin dance festivals and trivial inquiries.  Currently, Monse is an intern for Siemens and lives with their two cats, Jack and Xochitl, who keep them humble.

William is an educator and facilitator who is passionate about creating learning spaces where people can utilize their lived experiences to understand themselves, others, and the world around them. As a lifelong learner, William is deeply interested in infusing universal human traits such as laughter, play, and music in the spaces that he facilitates. He believes that learning can be a powerful tool for self-discovery and community building. In his free time, William enjoys reading, drinking coffee, and taking nature walks with his adventurous daughter, who at the moment has a deep admiration for throwing rocks into rivers.