OUR MISSION
Casa Azul de Wilson provides a homebase for Wilson’s Latinx families to feel valued so that they may own their power and ascend in their educational, leadership and civic pursuits. We build community through culturally affirming events, programs and campaigns that allow us to celebrate our complex and diverse identities.
OUR VISION
We envision a space where the Latinx community can feel seen and safe to nurture their authentic self and recognize the cultural wealth they bring to Wilson. Our dream is to have a Latinx community center where our gente will be taken care of without judgement and in their language.
OUR COMMUNITY
Casa Azul de Wilson is the first and only Latinx led and Latinx serving nonprofit in Wilson, which is a small rural town of less than 100,000 people. Even though the Latinx community makes up roughly 10% of the total population, we have zero representation in local government. Some of the earliest Latinx immigrants settled here more than three decades ago but our community has almost no resources tailored specifically to us. We believe our community is resilient and doing the best we can with the little resources we have, but we are tired of having to be so resilient. Casa Azul de Wilson wants to invest in young leaders and the community so that we can be empowered to hold systems of power accountable and demand for equity. We are building collective power in order to create change for the next generation.
OUR Team
FLOR
Co-founder
Executive Director
I am the oldest child in a family of ten. I am the first in my family to go to college and I struggled with the college application process. I had no one to ask for help.
I have a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Masters in Textile and Apparel Design from North Carolina State University.
I began to celebrate my Latinidad until I got out of Wilson because there were no spaces to celebrate my identity in my hometown.
IZA
Co-founder
Director of Community Advancement
I am the third oldest child in a family of ten. Growing up I molded myself to fit in spaces I felt like I didn’t belong in. Now, I’m a loud and proud Latina that takes up space. I’m proud of my big family, my culture, and my parent’s story.
My wish is for the Latinx youth to have safe spaces where they can explore and embrace their full identity. I have a Bachelors in Exercise and Sport Science from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and I have been a college adviser for three years.