Yo Quiero Dinero!

Now in its fourth year, ¡Yo Quiero Dinero! continues to transform the stage into a space of economic storytelling, healing, and community connection. Each year, Midwest Mujeres curates a lineup of Latina and Black women who boldly share their stories of survival, entrepreneurship, and growth — stories that challenge stereotypes and reshape the narrative around financial resilience in communities of color.

The 2025 theme, “Our Stories Have Value,” centers on women of color over 45 who have turned life’s barriers into bridges. Through raw honesty and humor, the event reveals the personal truths behind the racial wealth gap, redefining success through self-determination and community care.

KEYNOTE SPOTLIGHT: JAMIE PEREZ

Jamie Perez, founder of Beyond Words Productions and former award-winning journalist, headlines this year’s event. Her keynote reflects a story of rebirth—surviving abuse and financial struggle, rebuilding across the country, and creating a storytelling agency that amplifies voices often left unheard. Perez’s accolades include:

Do Good Wisconsin Business Impact Award (2023)
In Business Executive Choice Award – Bronze (2024)
NAWBO OWL Achievement Against All Odds Award (2025)

Her talk, “When Your Voice Shakes,” reminds audiences that vulnerability is power, and storytelling is a tool for liberation and economic empowerment.

FEATURED STAGE STORYTELLERS

Tennisha Loggins
Entrepreneur and mentor, Tennisha shares the journey of building a family-run business empire rooted in faith, motherhood, and the vision of passing generational wealth forward.

Stephany Penate
Community advocate and creative, Stephany speaks about navigating financial independence and identity while championing Latina leadership in local civic spaces.

Jo Fernandez
Through laughter and raw truth, Jo explores the balance between caregiving, survival, and self-worth, bringing humor to the heavy topic of economic struggle.

Aida Laflore
Bilingual accountant and founder of Leflore Accounting, Aida brings the numbers to life through her story of helping women-owned businesses gain financial clarity while overcoming her own self-doubt and barriers in the financial sector.

Jenise Judon
A powerhouse in community health, Jenise discusses mental wellness, resilience, and entrepreneurship—the unseen emotional labor behind success stories.

Stephanie Habeck
A creative spirit and survivor, Stephanie offers a tender reflection on finding purpose through art and community storytelling after personal loss and reinvention.

Gina Guerrero
An educator and cultural leader, Gina’s story highlights education as economic resistance, showing how investing in young people uplifts entire families.

Francelia Lara
A recognized childcare advocate, Francelia has trained over 300 childcare providers, sharing her evolution from home-based care to community leadership and financial empowerment.

VIDEO STORYTELLERS

Joanna Roland – Madison College student whose piece explores dreaming beyond limits as a first-generation scholar.
Olivia Buenrostros – Financial advisor offering practical insight on Latina wealth building and long-term planning.
Maria Elena Matos-Schultz – Nursing assistant and dementia care specialist reflecting on care work, migration, and emotional sustainability.

PROGRAM FLOW

4:00–5:00 PM: Networking Hour in the Starlight Lounge
5:00–6:00 PM: Main Stage Show – Part I
6:00–6:15 PM: Intermission: Gratitude & Connection
6:15–7:00 PM: Main Stage Show – Part II

COMMUNITY VALUE

This isn’t just a show—it’s a movement for visibility, voice, and value.

Inspiration: Each story heals, uplifts, and reframes success through lived experience.
Practical Wisdom: Lessons on business ownership, childcare leadership, and creative resilience.
Connection: A bilingual, intergenerational audience closing the racial wealth gap together.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Araceli Esparza, Executive Producer & Director
Marta Carrión, Emcee & Program Manager
Johnathan, Stage Manager
Isa, PR & Media Relations
Yaja, Social Media Lead
Hedi Rudd, Photographer
Jamie Perez, Videographer

SPONSORS & PARTNERS

PRESS & MEDIA ACCESS

Press passes and interviews available upon request.
Contact Isa (PR) at hola@midwestmujeres.com or info@midwestmujeres.com for media coordination, photography, or backstage storytelling opportunities.

Published on October 28, 2025