November featured poet/facilitator: Ara Cruz

Born and raised in Denver, Ara Cruz is a spoken word artist, educator, and organizer who finds himself standing on the shoulders of those women and men who have struggled to maintain traditions and dignity. With this strong sense of responsibility, he tries to walk in a good way every day in order to better his community. Graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies (emphasis in Chicana/o and American Indian Studies), he now works with youth in Denver as an educator, advocate, and workshop presenter. Using the experience he gained in campus and community organizing through MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chican@ de Aztlan), Oyate (Native student group), and other organizations, Ara became a co-founder of Café Cultura and now serves as Executive Director. He has shared his flor y canto (flower and song) with people of all ages. Through his poetry, he attempts to place a smoking mirror in front of his people and society in general, in an effort to make all of us think, speak, and act in positive ways.