Join us in welcoming Cultural Coalition’s newest Board Member, Elvia Díaz!
Elvia is the former editorial page editor and longtime columnist at The Arizona Republic — and the first Latina to lead the paper’s opinion pages. In addition to her vast experience in journalism, she also has a great passion for the arts and community engagement, which she shared directly contributed to her decision to join our organization:
“I’ve always believed education expands the mind while the arts enrich our souls.
So, when asked to consider serving on the Cultural Coalition board, I didn’t think about it twice. It felt like a natural fit. Not because I am an artist or an expert, but because I understand their value and the lasting impact they can have on individuals. I’ve seen firsthand what creativity, culture, and self-expression can do for people.
As an immigrant, I arrived in this country hungry to learn. My focus was on the fundamentals—English, math, reading, and writing. But community organizations and educators broadened my world. They took students like me on field trips to museums, aquariums, and theaters. They took us camping, where we painted, danced, recited poetry, and tried new activities.
Those experiences taught me that the arts are far more than painting or performance. They are about imagination, curiosity, confidence and connection. They help us discover who we are and how we relate to the world around us.
The Cultural Coalition reminds me of those formative experiences. Its vision of the arts is expansive and inclusive, it embraces whatever inspires the heart, sparks creativity, and brings people together. We need more of that in our communities, especially now.
That’s why I’m honored to support its mission.”
You can learn more about Elvia and her thoughts on what’s happening in our community through platform NOTAS. Here she takes on Arizona’s political power struggles, border battles, and the national consequences that start in the Southwest. Find her sharp and independent analysis — on Substack and her bilingually podcast on all digital platforms.
She has reported for the Statesman Journal in Oregon and the Albuquerque Journal before joining the Arizona Republic. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from UC Berkeley and spent nearly a decade mentoring future journalists as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University.
We are thrilled to have her expertise, knowledge, and passion for connecting communities to the arts on our board.
Follow her:
▶️ elviadiaz.substack.com
▶️ YouTube: NOTAS con Elvia Díaz
▶️ Contact: elvia@notasmedia.com
