Founder’s Story for Raíces in Motion

From Exclusion to Empowerment: The Journey Behind Raíces in Motion

I was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the first-generation daughter of Puerto Rican parents, but I was raised in Hartford, Connecticut—a city that is truly a melting pot of cultures. Growing up, I was surrounded by diversity, yet I often saw how workplaces struggled to embrace and celebrate it.

As I moved through different jobs, one pattern became painfully clear—while my bilingual skills were valued for helping customers, they were discouraged when used to connect with my coworkers. I was often told "Don’t speak Spanish on the floor," despite the fact that so many of my colleagues shared my background. It was a strange contradiction: companies wanted my language skills to serve their business, but not to create a sense of community among employees. It made me wonder—how could we build truly inclusive workplaces if our cultural identities were only acknowledged when convenient?

Determined to be part of the solution, I joined my company’s Employee Resource Group (ERG). I quickly realized that, even in spaces dedicated to diversity, Latino representation was still lacking. I wanted to bridge that gap—to create events and initiatives that not only recognized Latino culture but also celebrated the many backgrounds that made up the workforce. When my company officially started a Latino ERG, I saw my opportunity to take action. I wedged myself in, eager to make a difference.

That experience ignited something in me. I started learning about other cultures, organizing events, and creating experiences where people could have fun while also gaining a deeper appreciation for the richness of diversity. What began as an effort to help my own community grew into a passion for helping all cultures feel seen, heard, and celebrated in the workplace.

That’s why I launched Raíces in Motion—to help businesses move beyond performative diversity efforts and create real, engaging cultural experiences that inspire connection, inclusion, and learning. My goal is simple: to ensure no employee feels like they have to hide who they are to fit in at work.

At Raíces in Motion, we bring culture to life through DEI-focused event planning, training workshops, and ERG strategy consulting. We work with companies that are ready to go beyond corporate buzzwords and make diversity an active, celebrated part of their company culture.

Because diversity isn’t just about numbers—it’s about belonging. And that’s what I’m here to create.