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Isabel “Isa” Céspedes is an Artist, Event Producer, Diversity and Inclusion Creative Strategist, and the Creative Director for Sista Circle: Black Women in Tech. Her interactive experiences provide safe spaces for Black women to come together as tech professionals to exchange ideas and support community professional growth. Originally from Oakland, Isa brings the rich tradition of Black art and socio-political dialogue to her work drawing cultural connections to the collective histories of Black women from across the African diaspora.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced and how did you get through it?

I am a first-generation Cuban-American. Both of my parents are political refugees to the United States, which has greatly influenced my outlook on life. I’ve been examining my family’s story, the trauma of familial separation and its effects on my ability to confidently envision a life for myself outside of what came before me. I think this is a common experience for many children of immigrants; we often think about our family’s collective survival before our own desires. It can breed self-doubt. So for me, one of my greatest challenges has been nurturing the faith to leap beyond the path my folks laid out for me to dream even further. My ancestors were resilient, and every day that I remember their resilience is in my DNA, I can tap into it to create new possibilities.

What’s something you’ve done that you’re really proud of?

Im really proud of the work I am doing with Sista Circle. I’ve been blessed to witness some incredibly meaningful moments of community recently. They have inspired me to continue pushing the boundaries of how we think about inclusion and diversity in the workplace.