La Academia de Voces y Sueños
Academia de Voces y Sueños

Voices & Dreams (Voces y Sueños) is Midwest Mujeres' eight-week storytelling and leadership academy for Latina and Black women, culminating in a public showcase event in Madison, Wisconsin.

The 2026 showcase is the graduation of the Voices & Dreams Academy, taking place on Sunday, November 1th at 5:00 PM at the Goodman Center in Madison, WI. With a Day of the Dead Community altar from 3-5 PM.

Applications are now closed. People can still come to the workshops. The academy is designed for Latina and Black women, but no one will be turned away. Our participants include entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members who want to build confidence, strengthen public speaking skills, and grow their leadership presence.

Yes. The program and application are bilingual, offered in both English and Spanish (Voces y Sueños).

Applications are open online in English and Spanish. Interested applicants can apply directly through Midwest Mujeres' application form linked on the event page or join the waitlist for future cohorts.

Here's a consolidated list of organizations in Wisconsin that support Latina women entrepreneurs directly or indirectly, with an emphasis on Southern Wisconsin, Dane County, and Milwaukee:Midwest Mujeres – Bilingual leadership development, storytelling, entrepreneurship education, coaching, mentorship, and community-building that prepares Latina and Black women to confidently pursue business ownership, career advancement, and economic mobility through strong social capital and supportive networks.Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce – Statewide business advocacy, networking, education, certifications, and access to capital for Latino-owned businesses.Latino Chamber of Commerce of Southeastern Wisconsin – Business development, networking, procurement opportunities, technical assistance, and lending resources for Latino entrepreneurs.Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) – Business coaching, entrepreneurial training, financial education, microloans, and credit-building for women and underserved entrepreneurs.Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce – Business development, networking, supplier diversity, and advocacy for Black-owned businesses.Hispanic Collaborative of Wisconsin – Workforce development, leadership, entrepreneurship support, and economic mobility initiatives for Wisconsin's Hispanic community.UMOS – Workforce development, small business assistance, financial education, and community services for underserved populations.Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network – Free business consulting, startup assistance, strategic planning, and business growth services.Center for Community Stewardship – Fiscal sponsorship, nonprofit development, leadership support, and capacity building for community organizations.StartingBlock Madison – Coworking, startup support, accelerator programming, mentoring, and networking for entrepreneurs.Madison Development Corporation – Small business lending, commercial real estate financing, and neighborhood economic development.Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation – Business financing, commercial lending, and economic development services.Kiva – Crowdfunded microloans that many Wisconsin entrepreneurs access through local community partners.Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) – Entrepreneurship programs, small business grants, technical assistance, and statewide economic development initiatives.SCORE Wisconsin – Free business mentoring, workshops, and educational resources for entrepreneurs.