Voices and Dreams Academy: Our Stories Have Value

Introducing the Voices and Dreams Academy by Midwest Mujeres

This summer, we’re proud to launch the Voices and Dreams Academy—a 14-week storytelling and speaker development journey that culminates in our signature showcase event, ¡Yo Quiero Dinero: Our Stories Have Value!  Happening in November.

Whether you're building a business, seeking to grow your confidence, or dreaming of taking the stage, this program is for you. Our academy helps participants gain practical skills in financial wellness, branding, and storytelling—preparing you for real-world speaking opportunities and entrepreneurial growth.

Sign up, Now!

Why join?

• Comprehensive training – Financial wellness, branding, and storytelling workshops designed for real-world impact.

• Career & business boost – Polish public-speaking skills that translate to pitches, panels, and boardrooms.

• Supportive community – Learn alongside women who, like you, believe their stories have value.

• Access & inclusion – Child-care stipends, light snacks, and semi-bilingual instruction (ESL learners welcome!).

Networking begins at 5:30 PM Class runs 6 – 7 PM every Wednesday

Location: Midwest Mujeres HQ, Madison, WI

306 E Wilson St, Second floor, Madison, WI 53703

And Karina Sucasaire's story from last year will take your breath away!

Voices and Dreams Course Roadmap

Phase	Date Wednesday	Topic & Guest
Kickoff	Jul 16	Welcome with Araceli Esparza & the Midwest Mujeres team
Financial Wellness	Jul 23	Stephany Peñate, Old National Bank
	Jul 30	Investing 101 with Olivia Buenrostro-Soto, Wisconsin Financial
Two-Week Break (Aug 4–19)
	Aug 20	Money mindset for entrepreneurs with Stephany Peñate
Branding Bootcamp	Aug 27	Guest Speaker: Gregg Potter, Owning your presence. Working the Canvas Business Model.
Wednesday	Sep 3	Guest Speaker Katie Myers. She is a TikTok influencer who will discuss how to promote yourself on social media.
Wednesday	Sep 10	Meditation review Canvas business model. Writing your biographical statement as a speaker, human, or business owner, with Araceli Esparza 101 ChaptGPT
–– Break (Sep 14–20) ––	Storytelling Section: You must join by this date and attend 100% moving forward to get on stage	Zoom Voice Coaching Session! With Prenicia Clifton !!!***Thursday, Sept. 18th

Storytelling	Sep 24	Qiana Holmes - Embody your voice
Wednesday	Oct 1	Paquita Purnell – speaker & entrepreneur
Wednesday	Oct 8	Veronica Figueroa – storyteller coach & nonprofit leader
Wednesday	Oct 15	Miriam Hall – Overcoming stage fright, Mindfulness coach. Spanish Storytellers will be recording this day.
Stage-Ready	Oct 22	Final prep class with Araceli, Free Your Voice, What is it? And the History of Liberation and Storytelling.
MyArts Theater	Wed, Oct 29	Theater run-through #1: With Johnathan Delgado, pick your stage partner, and walk-up song.
MyArts Theater	Wed, Nov 5	Theater run-through #2
Showtime!	Saturday, Nov 8th	¡Yo Quiero Dinero! live performances

📚 Speaker & Faculty Biographies

Araceli Esparza – Founder & Director of Midwest Mujeres Araceli is the lead facilitator of the Voices and Dreams Academy. She is an award-winning speaker, poet, and author who brings over a decade of experience in community storytelling and women’s leadership development. Her facilitation style is culturally rooted, healing-centered, and always joyful. Araceli believes that storytelling is a tool for economic empowerment, and her mission is to amplify the voices of women who are often left out of the spotlight.

Emiliano Vera – Membership Manager Emiliano supports onboarding for new participants, helping them access tech tools and connect to free digital assets and resources. As a Membership Manager, he ensures women feel confident navigating the tools that will support their business and storytelling journey.

Marta Carrion – Program Manager & Madrina Marta acts as both Program Manager and Madrina (godmother) for the women in the Academy. She offers hands-on guidance, emotional support, and logistical coordination throughout the program. Marta is a trusted and nurturing presence who makes sure every mujer feels seen, supported, and celebrated.

Johnathan Delgado – Stage Manager Johnathan coordinates rehearsals and handles all behind-the-scenes logistics for the ¡Yo Quiero Dinero! showcase. His attention to detail and experience in live events help ensure a smooth and empowering stage experience for all participants.

Katie Myers - Social Media and Your Business, Insurance Agent and Business Coach

Katie is a small-town entrepreneur turned content creator whose business and leadership content has reached over 30 million views. Katie will share how small business owners and dreamers alike can grow their business, amplify their impact, and create the life they truly want.

Gregg Potter – Speaking & Presentation Coach Gregg is a professional speaking coach who guides participants through public speaking techniques, including vocal strength, body language, storytelling structure, and overcoming stage fright. He helps women unlock the confidence they need to command any room or audience.

Veronica Figueroa – Guest Speaker & Facilitator Veronica has over ten years of experience facilitating support groups and is the Director of DAMA (Developing Artists, Murals & Alliances). She is also an artist, graphic designer, and nationally sought-after speaker who brings a deep understanding of healing through creative expression.

Prenicia Clifton – Business & Success Coach Prenicia is a trusted coach who specializes in helping women of color build successful businesses. With a keen understanding of systemic barriers, she offers clarity, accountability, and strategic planning to help entrepreneurs break through limitations and grow with purpose.

Miriam Hall – Contemplative Arts Teacher Miriam is a Madison-based photographer, writer, and contemplative arts teacher. She is the co-author of Looking and Seeing: An Introduction to Contemplative Photography, and she helps participants connect with their story through mindfulness and artistic reflection.

Qiana Holmes – Guest Speaker: Embodiment & the Dynamics of Storytelling Qiana is a seasoned adult educator and skilled facilitator who specializes in women’s leadership and embodied storytelling practices. Her session invites participants to move from head to heart, connecting the body to the voice.

Olivia Buenrostro-Soto – Guest Speaker: Financial Investing Olivia is a financial educator from Wisconsin Financial who teaches about investing through a culturally grounded lens. She helps women build confidence around investing by making financial education relatable and community-centered.

Stephany Peñate – Guest Speaker: Financial Wellness & Budgeting Stephany represents Old National Bank and brings expertise in financial wellness and budgeting, with a special focus on women’s financial needs and realities. Her interactive sessions help demystify money management and promote financial empowerment.

Paquita Purnell – Guest Speaker: Faith-Rooted Entrepreneurship. Ms. Purnell is a graduate, professional speaker, and multiple business owner based in Beloit, WI. She is the visionary co-founder of Blessed Divine Creations and founder of The Divine Solutionist, where she equips purpose-driven entrepreneurs with faith-rooted strategies and empowered coaching. With a deep passion for personal growth and leadership, Paquita inspires women to align their businesses with their values and divine purpose.

Voices and Dreams Academy: Our Stories Have Value

What you’ll walk away with

• A polished seven-minute TED-style talk

• Deeper financial confidence & an actionable money plan

• A personal brand kit and social-media content strategy

• A new network of mentors, peers, and potential collaborators

How to apply

1. Fill out our quick interest email!

2. Complete the online application with our member manager(first 25 spots go fast!).

3. Look for a welcome email confirming acceptance.

4. Our mentor or Membership Manager will email you to schedule a 1:1 session to map your goals.

5. Attend the kickoff on July 16.

6. Rolling applications accepted until September 15 (must apply to get on stage).

Apply now and show the world that Our Stories Have Value! Questions? Email us at info@midwestmujeres.com

Need-to-knows

• Child-care stipends available • Light snacks every session

• Semi-bilingual classes – basic English required; final talks may be in Spanish or Spanglish

• Commitment matters: from Sep 24 onward, 100% attendance is required for stage performers

Whether you’re an emerging leader, an entrepreneur, or simply ready to claim your voice, this academy was built for you.

Join the VVoices and Dreams Academy: Our Stories Have Value and step into the spotlight with Midwest Mujeres—helping close the wage gap, one story at a time.

See you on July 16!