In the quiet disruption of a global pandemic, while the world seemed to stand still, Araceli Esparza observed a profound internal migration. She watched as individuals began to “wake up from working too hard for other people’s dreams” and started, for the first time, to pivot toward their own. It wasn’t a single lightning bolt of inspiration that changed her trajectory, but a collective awakening that reaffirmed her life’s conviction:
“If we can tell the story that set us free, we can set others free.”
Today, as the founder of the Midwest Mujeres Collective and a dedicated storyteller coach, Esparza has become a vital bridge-builder. Her work is not merely about representation; it is about “story as medicine”—the radical act of using creative writing and narrative as tools for healing, helping women move from a place of survival to one of deep, self-authorized trust.
Roots in Sociology and Storytelling
Araceli’s path to becoming a healer through words was paved with deep academic and artistic exploration. She earned her BA in Sociology and Chicano Studies from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, later complementing this with a Master of Fine Arts in Children’s Literature from Hamline University. Her artistic excellence has been recognized at the highest levels; she is a two-time Pushcart Prize nominee for her poetry and was nominated for an award for her PBS illustrated short film, “Traveling Down the Street: Las Chicas y Chicos de Blossom Street.”
These early influences were never purely academic. For Esparza, the craft of creative writing is a sacred tool for liberation. By studying Chicano literature through a critical race lens and practicing contemplative writing, she developed a methodology that treats storytelling as a form of medicine, one that repairs the spirit while reclaiming the narrative.
“My approach is rooted in building meaningful connections and amplifying diverse voices,”
she notes, reflecting on a career that has always sought to humanize the data of sociology through the heart of the arts.
Reclaiming the Narrative Through Midwest Mujeres
The transition from artist to community catalyst culminated in the founding of the Midwest Mujeres Collective. Over the last four years, Esparza has led the organization’s evolution from a grassroots project into a formal nonprofit, fueled by seed grants from city, county, and national foundations. Under her leadership, the collective has become a sanctuary for Latinas and women in the Midwest to upskill and reconnect with their power.
The impact is visible in the community gatherings she creates. Since its founding, Midwest Mujeres has produced three live storytelling shows at the Madison Youth Arts Theatre, each drawing over 150 people to witness the transformational power of voice. Furthermore, she has graduated 30 women from the Voices & Dreams Academy, a program she designed in collaboration with art therapists and transformational coaches to ground women in their own truth.
“The most critical shift is moving from survival to self-authorization. Reclaiming one’s narrative means recognizing that your story is not a liability; it is a source of power, insight, and connection,” she asserts.
Her work was honored in 2024 when she was named the Most Influential Latina by the Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce, adding to her long legacy of community leadership.
Healing, Rest, and Radical Trust
Araceli’s impact is centered on the “silent truths” of recovery. In her book, Healing from Racial Discrimination! ¿Ahora Qué? Now, What?, she offers grounded practices centered on trust, mindfulness, and rest. She recognizes that for many women—especially those from marginalized communities—the body holds the trauma of exclusionary spaces. Her methodology prioritizes radical rest and intuition as the primary vehicles for moving forward.
This philosophy is the heartbeat of her coaching program, TRUST. It is a space designed to help women reconnect with their inner wisdom and release the internalized pressure to “perform” or “assimilate.” By teaching women to listen to their bodies and their ancestors, she helps them dismantle the baggage of workplace trauma and take leaps rooted in joy.
Whether she is serving as an Equal Opportunities Commissioner or teaching AI foundations, her goal remains the same: ensuring that ethics and humanity remain at the center of innovation.
“Belonging should mean that people are seen, protected, and invited to shape the future, not merely adapt to it,” she says.
Whether she is serving as an Equal Opportunities Commissioner or teaching AI foundations, her goal remains the same: ensuring that ethics and humanity remain at the center of innovation.
A Legacy of Storytelling as Medicine
Araceli Esparza continues to design a future where leadership is defined by care and authenticity. Her legacy is one of “flow”, a state where a woman’s lived experience is honored as a source of wisdom rather than a hurdle to overcome. By integrating storytelling, healing, and professional development, she ensures that women don’t just take up space; they transform it.
“Araceli and Midwest Mujeres makes a very unique and important contribution to this place that we call home,” says Wesley Sparkman, Director of the Tamara D. Grigsby Dane County Civil Rights Department.
It is a contribution that ensures the next generation of leaders will find their way back to themselves, armed with the stories that set them free.
Editorial Note
Araceli Esparza’s journey is a powerful reminder that healing is the most vital form of leadership. For more information on her mission to break isolation through the Voices & Dreams Academy, her TRUST coaching program, or to engage her for strategic storytelling and healing-centered facilitation, reach out to the Midwest Mujeres Collective.
