Community honors ‘relentless storm’ of Chicano culture (starting with its unsung women)

An emotional celebration of Chicana women leaders, artists, and advocates earlier this month centered on honoring resilience and reclaiming identity — something Deanna Muñoz once felt pressured to hide.

Winners of the first-ever ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards stand with Deanna Muñoz at the Chicano Center for the Arts; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

“I used to shrink myself,” said Muñoz, founder of the Chicano Center for the Arts and the first-ever ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards. “To fit in, to hide the word ‘Chicana’ like it was shameful. But not anymore. We rise in hoop earrings, in sharp eyeliner, in activism, in art, in healing and hustle. We rise because we’ve always had the power, and now we claim it.”

The awards evening — organized April 10 (what would have been civil rights icon Dolores Huerta’s 94th birthday) at the arts center, 2203 Lexington Ave. — spotlighted community, cultural pride, and the resilience of women who lead with love, fight for justice, and carry generations of stories forward.

“This is a beautiful, powerful night,” said Muñoz. “Tonight we gather to honor the spirit, strength and resilience of the Chicana. Not just through our words, but through our presence, our stories and our love for one another.”

She described the ceremony as the realization of a dream nearly four years in the making; one rooted in honoring women who “lead with fire and pour love into their communities with unapologetic pride.”

Susana Elizarraraz, chief community officer at the Latinx Education Collaborative, left, speaks during the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards; photo by Nikki Overfelt Chifalu, Startland News

A partnership between the Chicano Center for the Arts and the Latinx Education Collaborative, the awards celebrated women often made invisible, but never powerless.

“Chicanos, we show up,” said Susana Elizarraraz, chief community officer at the Latinx Education Collaborative, as she delivered a powerful, spoken-word reflection of her view of what being Chicano represents.

“Chicano culture is a relentless storm that remembers,” she said. “It remembers what you did to our people. It remembers that you silenced our fathers and our mothers… Chicano culture knows that we are not as strong when we are apart. And it wants us back.”

Danny Soriano, High Resolution Media, reads a poem about his mother during the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Edgar Palacios, founder of the Latinx Education Collaborative, hosts the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

The evening’s host, Edgar Palacios, founder of the Latinx Education Collaborative, shared a tribute to the often-unsung women behind community movements.

He recalled a conversation with Paul Chávez, son of labor leader and Civil Right activist César Chávez, in which he asked not about César, but about the woman who stood beside him: his mother (Helen Fabela Chávez).

“His mother gave advice on everything from his mustache to his speeches,” said Palacios. “She pushed him to lead. That’s what we’re honoring today, women like Helen. Women like Deanna. Women whose power sustains us all,” he said.

Click here to follow the Chicano Center for the Arts, organizer of the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards.

2025 ¡Viva La Chicana! Honorees

Tania Y. Sosa, founder of Tania Sosia Photography and dance and creative studio La Pista KC – Adelita Leadership Award
Award honors bold Chicana leaders who break barriers and pave the way for future generations with courage and vision.

Sue Moreno, artist, LGBTQ+ advocate, and educator – Inspiración Chicana Mentor Award
Award recognizes dedicated mentors who empower others and uplift the Chicana and Latinx communities.

Gisselle Guardado, law student at Johnson County Community College and president of LUNA – Mujer de Fuerza Award
Award celebrates resilience and leadership, honoring women who create lasting impact through strength and determination.

Marisa Moreno, longtime volunteer with the Low Rider community – Corazón de la Comunidad Award
Award acknowledges heartfelt service and commitment to building and uplifting the community.

“Kansas City is home. Kansas City is love. Kansas City is a community,” Moreno said. “I want my daughter to grow up knowing her mommy pushed to make our community stronger.”

Al Lopez, founder of The Fish Tin, LGBTQ+ advocate, and student at the Kansas City Art Institute – Emerging Chicana Powerhouse Award
Award spotlights rising Chicana leaders making bold contributions in art, advocacy, and culture.
“I hope that by receiving this award, I can show the transgender youth of today that no matter their race, upbringing, or gender identity, they too can make a difference,” said Lopez, “Thanks to the gorgeous, gorgeous community that supports them.”​

Monica Mendez, executive director, Armourdale Renewal Association – Mariposa Award
Award symbolizes transformation, community impact, and service through Monica’s leadership and youth advocacy.
“I do have a lot of passion for the community,” Mendez said. “And I do believe that youth is where we need to start. I’m an older Chicana… it took me time to learn what that word meant. But I know who I am now.” 

Jenny Mendez, cultural arts director at Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center – Icono Cultural Award

Award celebrates visionary cultural leaders whose work in the arts preserves heritage and inspires generations.

Christina Loya, public historian and archivist at Mattie Rhodes Cultural Center – Chicana Visionary Award

Award honors innovative changemakers shaping the future through culture, justice, and community empowerment.

“It’s just incredible to work in a community I’ve always been a part of, but now get to be fully immersed in,” said Loya, “Seeing all these Chicanas and being honored tonight is just incredibly humbling.”​

The ceremony closed with a promise to keep showing up and moving forward — and to never doubt the power of being unapologetically Chicana.

“To be badass, to be sure, to remember and to know, to be clear and to be here — that is Chicana,” said Elizarraraz.

Up next: The Chicano Center for the Arts’ 4th Fridays — now in its third year of celebrating Chicano art, lowrider culture, and KC creativity — returns to the West Bottoms 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, April 25 in the Liberty Courtyard; between 13th Terrace and 14th Street off of Liberty Street under the I-670 Bridge.

New this year: The Moon Market, a monthly nighttime farmers market joins 4th Fridays featuring plants and fresh produce, locally made artisan goods, food from local vendors, tarot readings and more — “all under the glow of city lights and community love.”

Deanna Muñoz, founder of the Chicano Center for the Arts, speaks at the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Susana Elizarraraz, chief community officer at the Latinx Education Collaborative, left, speaks during the ¡Viva La Chicana! Awards; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News