Cecilia Lopez- (She/Her was born and raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and is currently residing in Pacoima. She became a part of Tía Chucha’s in 2021 supporting the cultural art classes and as the Creative Engagement Coordinator for the 18th annual Celebrating Words Festival. Cecilia studied Chicanx Studies and Womxn and Gender Studies at UC Davis. When she returned to the San Fernando Valley, she found many ways to give back to her community. In 2018 she worked with a nonprofit called Youth Speak Collective as an after school Enrichment Specialist. She also did a 3-month artist residency with Pacoima Beautiful ash the Pacoima Arts Incubator. After her residency, Cecilia volunteered with MEND poverty as a Marketing and Outreach coordinator and then moved to working as an afterschool specialist in two schools, one of which she transitioned into working in administrations while teaching art to students grades TK-8th. Cecilia has always found away back to the arts. As the Program Coordinator, Cecilia is dedicated to the cultural arts and believes that they heal and transform communities. Her favorite pastimes are painting, sewing, and watching movies with her sisters.