Episode 78: In AWE of Marisol Rerucha-Voices Series

Marisol Rerucha is an educational leader who doesn’t just talk about restorative practices, equity, social justice, trauma informed care, and generational poverty; she has both lived experience and a proven record of doing this work while leading change in education and non-profit systems.The impact of her passion, experience, work, and voice is felt beyond her own community as she serves as the Chief of Partnerships and Strategy for the National Parents Union, as the Director of Culture and Community for DBC Inc, is a member of the UNIDOS US National Institute for Latino School Leaders alumni council, and serves on the board of Youth Empowerments Finest.

She has formed and used her voice as an educational advocate for students, parents and our communities, while creating space and providing resources for staff, students, and parents to elevate theirs. Marisol’s passion is ensuring all students, especially those pushed out and most marginalized by society and our school systems, have high quality educational experience and are provided comprehensive services. She has engaged in the real work of addressing and ending the school to prison pipeline by building and leading career readiness and career technical education in juvenile court and community schools. 

So, let me be seriously real with you, friends. Marisol and I are connected but we had not had a conversation prior to this interview, and she pushed me. Hard. As regular listeners of this podcast know, I have chosen for a long time not to shy away from critical, yet uncomfortable conversations, and maybe you’ve been hearing my growth as the months have progressed. I know I have and am willing to embrace some of the cringeworthy moments I have now as I look back on my own journey through this process of learning.  As I listened back to this episode during the editing phase, I can literally hear Marisol’s Chingona spirit lighting mine on fire right where I need it. She is a fierce and loving spirit who is perfectly suited for the purpose she has been called to, and I know this episode is full of value for you, my friends. Not only do we get to dive deeper into some content about why it may be hard for many of us to face this concept of systemic racism in our world, we gain insight into several resources which I have linked here for you, and Marisol shares with stunning authenticity what fuels her own passion to do the important work and engage in conversations. I am thrilled to have gained a new friend and trusted advisor through the conversation we had and am most deeply honored to share with you today Marisol Quevedo Rerucha’s powerful and wise Voice. 

Connect with Marisol:
http://www.thischingonalife.com/
Marisol’s Email
Marisol on Twitter
National Parents Union Facebook Page

Resources Mentioned:
New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
When They See Us Ana D
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Monique Morris
ACLU of San Diego
Shaun King on Twitter
Equal Justice Initiative
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Just Mercy Movie
Abram X. Kendi: Stamped from the Beginning, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning (with Jason Reynolds) and  How to Be an Antiracist
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
Southern Poverty Law Center on Twitter