Welcomed In: Discovering the Heart and Story of South Phoenix
The Explore Class 5 journey through South Phoenix on April 24 was more than a tour—it was an invitation. Every leadership journey is grounded in a sense of place, and in South Phoenix, our cohort found a community defined by its warmth, resilience, and an unwavering pride in its cultural heritage.
As we traveled through the region with transportation generously provided by the Roosevelt School District, the day served as a powerful reminder that leadership is most effective when it is rooted in care and a genuine willingness to listen to the stories of those who call a place home.
Our morning began at Spaces of Opportunity, where we were welcomed with breakfast provided by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation. Surrounded by the greenery of the urban garden, Sowan Thai and Maria Valenzuela shared a vision for urban farming that goes far beyond agriculture. Their work is a masterclass in equity and access, demonstrating how food systems can be used to build community pride and self-reliance.
The spirit of storytelling continued at the Broadway Heritage Resource Center. In a panel moderated by VL CEO Dave Brown, local leaders Darlene Jackson, Matthew Stewart, and Victor Vidales shared deeply personal reflections on growing up in South Phoenix. Their conversation highlighted the delicate balance of preserving a community’s rich history while thoughtfully guiding future development, a challenge that requires both adaptability and a deep respect for the past.
Midday brought us to the RSD Wellness Center for a delicious lunch prepared by Terrance Kennedy. Here, the focus shifted to the foundational role of education in the region. A candid panel featuring Jansen Azarias-Suzomoto, Violeta Ramos, and Dr. Dani Portillo explored the complexities of the educational landscape. Their insights underscored the interconnectedness of school systems, family support, and community health in shaping opportunities for the next generation.
In the afternoon, we visited the Parsons Leadership Center at South Mountain, where Mary Mitchell and Lynda Leavitt facilitated a discussion on leadership principles. Their hospitality provided a space where growth and belonging felt synonymous, reinforcing the idea that effective leaders create environments where everyone feels they have a seat at the table.
The cultural vibrancy of South Phoenix was on full display as we moved to the Sagrado Galleria. Sam Gomez invited the cohort to see how art serves as a bridge between honoring ancestral culture and shaping a modern identity. This theme of cultural continuity was echoed at the Cihuapactli Collective, where Enjolie Lafaurie shared their work in healing and trust. Their model of care is a testament to how deeply relationships matter when building systems that truly serve the people.
We concluded our day at South Mountain Community College, where Liz Warren and Veronica Hipolito guided the group through a storytelling exercise. This final moment brought the day full circle, allowing participants to process the wealth of knowledge they had gathered.
As the cohort shared their final reflections, a common theme emerged: we didn’t just learn about South Phoenix; we were welcomed into it. The openness and generosity of every speaker and host transformed our perspectives, leaving us with a deeper understanding of a community that leads with its heart.
For Explore Class 5, the lessons from South Phoenix will serve as a compass as we continue our journey across Arizona. We move forward with a renewed commitment to equity, adaptability, and interconnectedness, inspired by the leaders who remind us that our futures are tied together.
Big thank you to all of our South Phoenix partners who made our trip such a success! See all the pictures from our trip on Facebook.
| Mary Mitchell | Girl Scouts | Parsons Leadership Center South Mountain |
| Lynda Leavitt | Girl Scouts | Parsons Leadership Center South Mountain |
| Enjolie Lafaurie | Cihuapactli Collective |
| Sam Gomez | The Sagrado Gallery |
| Maria Valenzuela | Executive Director Spaces of Opportunity |
| Sowan Thai | Spaces of Opportunity |
| Dani Portillo | Superintendent Roosevelt School District |
| Terrance Kennedy | Program and Catering Specialist |
| Darlene Jackson | Community Leadership Alliance |
| Victor D. Vidales | SoPho Convening / Local Developer |
| Matthew Stewart | Founder of Our Sister Our Brother |
| Jansen Azarias-Suzomoto | Higher Ground |
| Jason Kyle | RSD | Transportation Coordination |
| Liz Warren | Storytelling Institute; South Mountain Community College |
| Veronica Hipolito | President | South Mountain Community College |
