About Cuéntame
Cuéntame is an an intergenerational, bilingual book and story-sharing project celebrating SELA's storytellers and readers.
This project centers the voices of residents and explores how books and our favorite stories activate our memories, imaginations and creativity to welcome and celebrate our most authentic selves. Through various free book-sharing pop-ups at community festivals and events, schools and local businesses across SELA, residents were invited to share book recommendations for their neighbors and describe how these books influenced or transformed their own lives. The project also included a series of free zine workshops where community members learned how to create their own personal zines while collaborating on a collective community zine highlighting their individual stories and artwork.
The project culminated with the Cuéntame art exhibit at Cruzita's Deli & Cafe in Huntington Park. The exhibit included audio recordings, hand-drawn portraits, recommended books, testimonials, and a Spanglish zine created by SELA neighbors and friends. It opened on July 13, 2024 with a community reception and was on display at Cruzita’s through October 5, 2024.
About Libros con Alma
Libros con Alma, based in Southeast Los Angeles, is a book sharing project that amplifies the stories of BIPOC authors and increases access to books in Spanish. Through books and storytelling, Libros con Alma fosters feelings of belonging and community care by inviting readers to explore the beauty and complexities of our diverse cultures, histories and identities.
Land Acknowledgement
Cuéntame took place in southeast Los Angeles, ancestral and unceded lands of the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples. We honor and thank the original caretakers of these lands and pay our deepest respect to them, their Ancestors, and future generations.
