More than 4,000 women and girls are expected to gather at Exposition Park Sunday for LATINAFest: Mind, Body & Soul, an annual event celebrating Latina culture, entrepreneurship and community leadership.
The festival, billed by organizers as the nation’s largest outdoor event focused on Latinas, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Jesse Brewer Jr. Park in Exposition Park.
This year’s theme is “UNSTOPPABLE,” highlighting the influence of Latinas in business, culture and public life.
Organizers said the event comes days before Los Angeles hosts World Cup matches and will feature a soccer-themed opening ceremony with youth athletes from the ELLA Sports Foundation and choreography by Stephanie Stevenson.
Founded in 2018 by journalists Bel Hernández Castillo and Naibe Reynoso, LATINAFest brings together entrepreneurs, authors, business leaders, wellness advocates and community organizations for a day of networking, education and entertainment.
Featured speakers and guests include CNN contributor and bestselling author Julissa Arce, author Reyna Grande, SUMA Wealth CEO Beatriz Acevedo, leadership expert Dr. Yasmin Davidds, author and filmmaker Denise Soler Cox and beauty industry executive Margarita Arriagada.
Organizers said more than 100 Latina-owned businesses and exhibitors will participate. The event will also include panel discussions on entrepreneurship, publishing and financial literacy, along with wellness activities, art installations, musical performances and cultural presentations.
Programming is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. with a Mayan yoga session accompanied by Indigenous drumming. The World Cup-themed opening ceremony is planned for 11 a.m.
According to organizers, Latina-owned businesses are among the fastest-growing segments of entrepreneurship in the United States, with Latina entrepreneurs starting businesses at rates significantly higher than the national average.
The festival is open to the public.