We recently connected with Jesús Castro Gonzalez and have shared our conversation below.

Jesús, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I work for a few nonprofits in northern Colorado that work with the Latinx and Immigrant Communities. In both organizations, I am allowed to create programs related to arts and creativity. I’m working on a storytelling project with a few other nonprofits in town to empower Latinx families. I’m creating a couple of writing workshops for LGBTQ folks and another one with the theme of dia de los Muertos. I’m also collaborating with some incredible community leaders to create short plays that represent our beautiful Latine community, we want our community to see themselves represented in a positive way, representation matters! Even though a lot of my work in the arts spaces is mostly writing and theatre, I’m in the early stages of producing a documentary in collaboration with Fuerza Latina(non profit)about our immigrant community in Northern Colorado, we have amazing leaders that have contributed so much to our community over the years and we would love to elevate their stories and their work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a 32-year-old, openly gay immigrant from Mexico. I am a dreamer, and I’m currently a theatre student at Colorado State University. My goal as an artist and community organizer is to create programs/events and opportunities for the Latinx community to be inspired by art that helps express themselves in a creative way, I believe art can heal and build community.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I came to United States at the age age of 13, I didn’t speak any English, I struggled to learned the language and to make friends, it was very isolating at times, even though it was hard and I missed my family in Mexico I started to become interested in performing arts, without speaking very much English I joined my school choir and auditioned for the talent show and plays at school,  I loved performing, being on stage gave me life, it made me feel welcome and it gave me a sense of community i have not feel before since moving to America, even though there’s was a language barrier I was still able to create art and make new friends, that’s when I realized that performing arts brings people together whether they speak the same language or not, it’s beautiful!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My community means the world to me, I’m proud to be a Latino immigrant and I’m very passionate about working with mi gente. Over the last decade I have been able to be part of projects and programs that empower the Latino community of Northern Colorado, it means the world to me and I hope to keep doing this for the rest of my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Jesus.hector.castr0