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MILESTONES
This is where our story lives—step by step, soul by soul.
Here, you'll find a living timeline of the work we’ve done with our community—moments that shaped who we are.
Each milestone represents the voices, spaces and creativity we've uplifted.
ELA RISING YOUTH CENTER
July 2024
We at East Los Soul launched our first weekly community poetry series at the East Los Angeles Rising Youth Center, establishing a consistent and accessible space for creative expression in the heart of East Los. This ongoing gathering uplifts local voices through poetry, performance, and storytelling, building a culture of shared expression and artistic pride.
As the first of its kind in the area, the series marks a powerful step toward making poetry a living, breathing part of community life—rooted in the people, week after week.
SDSU
April 2025
East Los Soul partnered with the Latinx Student Union at San Diego State University to support their efforts in expanding student engagement and cultural visibility. We led a space for creative expression through curated performances and an open mic, encouraging student participation and storytelling. This collaboration amplified diverse voices, strengthened campus-community connection, and aligned with the Union’s outreach and empowerment goals.
East Los Soul partnered with Cal Poly Pomona’s Upward Bound TRIO programs for the annual Student Leadership Conference, an initiative dedicated to developing the next generation of student leaders. Our team led an immersive experience centered on preserving art through poetry, while cultivating leadership skills such as communication, collaboration and decision-making - through the lens of creative expression and community storytelling.
CAL POLY POMONA
April 2025
East Los Soul was proud to partner with Cal State La's
Upward Bound Trio Program for the Summer Student Leadership Conference, to support student-led engagement through a creative leadership session centered on identity, expression, and community building. Our team provided a space where students explored the intersection of storytelling and leadership, using poetry as a catalyst for dialogue, self-awareness, and collective empowerment.
CAL STATE LA
July 2025
CAL SAC
East Los Soul had the honor of presenting at the CALSACS Educator Workforce Summit, sharing creative strategies and poetic practices to inspire fellow educators and uplift community voices through the power of poetry.
July 2026
East Los Soul partnered with the City of La Puente to engage local high school youth in a creative development series focused on poetry, performance, and literary expression. Through guided sessions, students prepared for a community recital that celebrates their voices and cultural narratives. This initiative supports the city’s commitment to youth enrichment while making poetry and literature more visible and valued within the community.