About
Candy Isabel
As an Afro-Latina from the Dominican Republic, Candy Isabel has a passion for social justice and a drive to see people take a hold of their futures and outcomes. Candy has a Master of Arts in Family Life Education with 10+ years of experience. Realizing her privilege of being welcomed to various “tables” she uses her influence to advocate for the Latinx and African American communities of Grand Rapids, MI focusing on social welfare, and the K-12 education system.
Candy is a Mother, Wife, Veteran, Business Owner, Social Educator, and Community Advocate. Growing up in both the 49507 and 49503 area codes, Candy experienced firsthand the inequities that she fights to dismantle every day.
Connection To GR, Thoughts on Liberation, Reclamation
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Reclamation: There truly is no reclamation because it was never ours. We must first take claim of what belongs to us. Push for the unraveling of the education system, for more of us in positions of power to make the best decisions for us. Pushing for the power to just be. To be ourselves in our world where we are constantly defined by how we interact with a system that was designed against us. The power to break the generational cycles that exist within our communities.
Liberation: Liberation is seeing our children empowered and nurtured by society instead of broken down and judged. Liberation is owning our neighborhoods, businesses, and holding positions of power. Liberation is a journey we must all make together. Free of the shackles of oppression and the weight of hatred and fear. Where everyone has what they need to truly thrive and change the outcomes of their families for generations to come.