Consuelo grew up in inner city Chicago and attended DePaul University. After traveling the globe, from Argentina to Amsterdam, Consuelo and her husband called Minnesota their home. Now Consuelo and her family are embracing another new change: they’re moving to California.

Consuelo has been on the board since the beginning of Joyce’s strategic planning process, and has seen, as well as help initiate, much of the change and growth Joyce has gone through in the past months.

Consuelo is stepping off the board at the end of this school year. We got the chance to hear her final reflections on what it means to be part of the Joyce family.

Joyce Preschool: Tell us more about yourself and your family.

Consuelo Cervantes: I was born in Mexico and I came to the U.S. when I was 2. I grew up in inner city of Chicago, and both of my parents worked full time in a factory. My father always thought it was important for me to get a good education so I would be able to be self-sufficient and I didn’t have to depend on a man. He empowered me, and I always did well in school.

I was able to get scholarships to go to college. So, I went to college at DePaul University in Chicago and I started working while I was in college, an internship as part of my scholarship with Cargill. That’s where I started my corporate career, and I was able to get an international assignment because I spoke Spanish. I was in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years and my husband and I went to Amsterdam for six years. It’s been a great journey for the little girl from the inner city of Chicago to see the world, because of education.

JPS: What do you think your biggest change has been since you’ve joined the Joyce Family?

CC: My husband and I didn’t look at the numbers before we moved, but it’s not very diverse where we live. I still remember going to a school and being the only person of color, thinking, ‘Wow, this is different.’ Especially from how I grew up in Chicago. And with Joyce I really felt part of this diverse group. It’s very welcoming. I felt like I was going back to my Hispanic community.

JPS: Tell us about being on Joyce’s board. What experiences will you remember most?

CC: [I found Joyce Preschool] through Cargill. An ex-board member introduced me to [some board members] and Sarah Clyne and I was sold. I said ‘Yes, of course!’

During the strategic planning process, it was so interesting to see how we are connected to Joyce through some of our deeper values. Everyone there was attracted to Joyce because we value education. Because we value diversity. And those two things came out really strongly and that’s, I think, what Joyce represents. I think a Joyce parent says, ‘I think and I hope that the model of Joyce is the future of our education system.’ Where education is built on your strengths and what you bring instead of your deficiencies.

JPS: What about memories outside “the board room”?

CC: I attended one of the breakfast events and when the kids came in to sing, that amazing to see who benefits from the different activities that we do. I participate in the different events and fundraising and board meetings, but just seeing the faces of the kids — it was great to hear them sing.

JPS: How does your perspective as someone who grew up with a diverse education affect your relationship with the Joyce community?

CC: I think I value, and am more comfortable, advocating for Joyce. I personally see the benefit of being bilingual and multicultural for our family. There’s just no other way. Joyce really celebrates differences and brings value and empowerment to children at a very early age that will lead to further success in the child’s life.

Even though my [school] environment wasn’t very positive, as it was full of drugs and crime, my home environment was very positive. I was always nurtured and cared for at home, and you need to feel valued like that. Joyce provides an environment where all children feel valued for the language and culture they bring. That makes them, in the long term, successful.

JPS: We love books. Could you share what you’ve been readin lately?

I just read this wonderful book called Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She’s from Nigeria and she came to university in the U.S. It was great to see the world from her perspective, from an African perspective. To see the difference of being what she calls a Non-American black versus an American black. It is just fascinating.

Thank you for bringing your unique perspective to our board, Consuelo. We wish you and your family the best as you begin the next stage in your journey!