12 Dec Food and Fashion Come Together at Latina Center’s Pozole Festival
Participants in the Latina Center’s Mujer, Salud y Liderazgo program walked the runway at the Pozole Festival on Saturday, wearing traditional Mexican clothing curated by Yessica Roca.
Story and photos by Ana Tellez-Witrago
The Latina Center in Richmond came alive Saturday with the vibrant sights, sounds and flavors of the Pozole Festival. This festive event brought the community together to celebrate Mexican culture and support a worthy cause.
The Pozole Festival featured a delicious array of the traditional Mexican soup representing different Mexican states, including Jalisco, Acapulco and Nayarit. Attendees could savor these dishes while enjoying a family-style atmosphere filled with karaoke, games, vendors, music and a Mexican artisan clothing runway show.
The event’s primary purpose was to raise funds for the June 2025 graduation celebration of the Latina Center’s Mujer, Salud y Liderazgo (Women, Health and leadership, in English) program. According to the Latina Center’s Executive Director, Miriam Wong, the event was a successful fundraiser. “By 1 p.m., all the pozole was running out — and we made two large pots of each pozole style,” said Wong. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“I heard about the event from my mom, and I came with her and my sister to eat the pozole,” said Anahi Lopez. “I didn’t know that it would be so entertaining — [from] different performances to a runway. It’s also nice that the money will help these women.”
“The $3,000 raised at this event will now be used by the MSL participants to help organize their graduation,” said Wong.
By the time they graduate, program participants will have created a community initiative on a topic they are passionate about. Wong emphasized that creating their personal initiative helps these Latinas, many of whom have experienced traumatic life events, realize that they can change their lives and communities.
The MSL program aims to empower women through health and leadership initiatives. Participants from Richmond, Antioch and Roseville learn skills-based training such as time management, budgeting, project planning, community outreach, advocacy, health seminars, reflection on leadership styles and peer networking.
“It was really important for me to be part of this event because the MSL program has been very supportive,” said Ines Davalos, a program participant. “I want to return that support.”
She welcomed the opportunity to walk in the runway show. “It was a very important goal in my life because I always wanted to be a model. However, I am short, and this was an opportunity to achieve this.”
Davalos felt comfortable modeling the artisan Mexican traditional clothing because she is a folklórico dancer with the Dance Studio Maseuani based in Bay Point, and wearing that style of clothing is part of performing the dances.
>>>Read: Dancing to Preserve Tradition: Pittsburg Youth Uphold Folklórico Legacy<<<
“I felt very me, very Mexican,” she said.
For more information about The Latina Center and its programs, visit thelatinacenter.org.
More scenes from the Pozole Festival:
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