Inspirational speaker, Latina media dynamo, and Mamiverse contributor Nely Galán has partnered with Coca-Cola and Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence (CMI) to create the Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante a digital community and series of forums intended to empower Hispanic women by providing them with the tools and information to reach their goals.
“Latinas ,and particularly Latina moms, are the new cornerstone segment of our economy with the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs,” says Nely, adding, “They are the pillars of the Latino community.”
Taking the day off from work or other responsibilities will be well worth it, she says. “In the vein of the TED conference, and CNN Heroes it will honor, support and help Latinas create a movement of change and growth in our community. We have a powerful curriculum of transformation and action,” Nely says.
A culmination of two years of work that she describes as her calling and a duty, Nely is passionate about this initiative. The goal, she says, is. to “… create a movement that informs, mentors and inspires Latinas to take action by providing them with the right tools to make their dreams come true.”
Nely, who has been busy on a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, says this is her way of paying it forward. “As a Latina who is self made, I believe at this stage of my life this is where I want to give back. I know that the answer for Latinas is in creating a community, in beginning a conversation about the movement we need to create and I am inspired to begin this work,” she explains. “This event will help Latinas take action by getting information not just from other Latinas but from powerhouse women in the mainstream who will show us how to fund a business, how to get ideas started , and how to take steps every day to become self realized and financially secure.”
The tour kicks off on Saturday December 3rd in Los Angeles with a one-day forum featuring speakers Nely, novelist and Latina advocate Sandra Cisneros, and CMI founder Nell Merlino. They will focus on giving Latinas the knowledge and motivation to flourish in five basic cornerstones of success:
• Health: Latinas are nurturers of a healthy America.
• Education: Latinas are builders of intellectual capital.
• Money: Latinas are drivers of the entrepreneurial spirit.
• Community: Latinas are pillars of their community.
• Politics: Latinas shape the political future of the U.S.
Adelante was inspired, in part, by Coca-Cola’s 5 BY 20 commitment to enable the economic empowerment of five million women entrepreneurs by 2020. According to Reinaldo Padua, Assistant Vice President, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America, “Women, especially Latinas, are an integral part of The Coca-Cola Company’s 2020 Vision. As we embark on this journey, we want to provide Latinas with the necessary tools to succeed by triggering their entrepreneurial spirit. Coca-Cola looks to inspire Latinas to pursue their dreams—whether these dreams are about getting physically active, going back to school or opening your own business. Stronger women will create stronger families and communities.”
Nely encourages every Latina to join the Adelante movement, follow the tour, participate, and spread the word. Working together, Latinas are an unstoppable force, poised to make a real difference for generations to come.
