The months of September and October are of special significance for the Hispanic community. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sep. 15-Oct. 15) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9. We sat down with Mandy Medrano, a long time resident and community advocate in the Westwood neighborhood to chat about the role she has played in the community.
My work in Westwood has varied based on the needs of the community. Back in 2012, I worked with Colorado School of Public Health to bring information and focus groups about hands on CPR in the neighborhoods of Westwood, Barnum, Villa Park, Valverde and Baker. I collaborated with Denver Health and Dr. Comilla Sasson to execute this project. Through this work I understood the importance of data and the health disparities that existed within the Latino communities in Denver. This sparked some ideas such as providing spaces to offer Zumba classes and installing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in places around Westwood.
In 2011, I started to bring my children to the After School is Cool program at the Westwood Branch Library. Back then, Westwood was not as active as it is now. I come from a creative family, so I decided to start some events and art classes in collaboration with the library. Our first program was a sugar skull class and from there, many programs and events extended to various branches with the Denver Public Library. I also created a space where every Saturday families and community members would participate in intergenerational and culturally relevant activities. My goal was to ensure that the community had a space that felt like home, rooted in our Mexican Indigenous traditions, and not like an art gallery.
In October 2011 we hosted the very first Día de los Muertos in Westwood which took place in the Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC). We had well over 100 people come to partake for the first time in the Westwood neighborhood. We prepared food, pan de muerto and various art activities along with Aztec dancing, all free to the community. That same year, I created the first Frida Kahlo event, called Kreative Kalpulli (community); and as Frida’s birthday was coming up, I decided to bring my Frida cookbook and some art activities. We got together and created her traditional dishes and drinks! After that, Frida became an annual event accompanied by an art show, dress up contest as well as art activities that has grown larger every year. Last year, in collaboration with D3 Arts, we organized the Frida Kahlo Mole Festival, and Westwood is now home to Kahlo’s, a Mexican restaurant inspired by the work that was created in the neighborhood. As you can see, the many seeds that were planted through artwork and creation more than a decade ago are now thriving and being celebrated every year.
Yes! I almost forgot about the guitar sculpture, “Un corrido para la gente” (A Ballad for the People), by Carlos Frésquez, installed in 2009, on Morrison Road thanks to the Public Arts Committee that I sat on back then. Last but not least, I want to recognize my grandmother Vidilia Medrano and my mother Martha Medrano, both leaders and artists from the La Alma community. I appreciate the strong seeds they both planted within me. I would not be who I am without the fire and spark that was ignited through their work and love for their community. I am extremely honored to have planted many seeds within my home community and will continue to create and organize relevant and bicultural spaces rooted in my Indigenous Mexican culture.