DEIB Committee Interview with Ariel Safdie

We invite you to read this very insightful and informative interview with Ariel Safdie, Director of Development & Strategic Growth at Conexion Americas, led by ICFTN's Past President and current DEIB Committee member, Donna Yurdin.

Tell me about Conexión Américas and your services:

At Conexión Américas our mission is to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed. Every year we assist more than 11,000 individuals and their families in their desire to start a business, improve their English, help their children succeed in school and become an integral part of Nashville’s social, cultural and economic vitality. 

Conexión Américas is the lead partner of Casa Azafrán, a nonprofit collaborative at the gateway to Nashville’s International District that is home to Conexión Américas and nine partners. We focus on 4 areas of community Impact: Education (college access and success and parent programming), Economic Prosperity (English Language Learner classes,  micro-entrepreneurship and taxpayer education/assistance, workforce development), Civic and Community Engagement (advocacy and placemaking), Direct Assistance (help and referral hotline, food distribution, emergency response). 

What are some of the critical needs of Tennessee’s Hispanic population?

Tennessee’s Latinx population continues to grow and enrich our state. Many of the families we serve at Conexión Américas are newly arrived to Tennessee and in the process of learning English and seeking affordable accessible classes as they grow their language abilities. We work with parents and students who are adapting to and learning how to navigate the U.S. school system for the first time, developing trust and relationships with teachers and principals at the school. Conexión Américas works with hundreds of entrepreneurs seeking to start, grow their business, or enter the workforce.

Most of the entrepreneurs we serve are in the process of building knowledge around systems and processes related to licensure, insurance, contract rights, and best business practices. They may lack access to capital and traditional lending opportunities, and as a recently arrived resident, may not yet have a wide breadth of networks, which can open up opportunities. Especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase of families seeking immediate and often urgent needs around housing, food security and medical/health related issues. Locally and at the state level, diverse populations are facing anti-welcoming policies that marginalize and discriminate against many diverse groups, including immigrant-origin Tennesseans. These kinds of policies and hateful rhetoric from decision-makers generates a sense of fear that further marginalizes families, and can prevent them from accessing the critical resources available to them. 

What are some important things coaches should be aware of when working with Latinx clients?

Tennessee’s Latinx population is incredibly diverse. Families and individuals are all in different moments of their immigration journey- whether first generation, second generation or even third generation. People will arrive to Tennessee for different reasons and in different socio-economic situations, as well as having different educational backgrounds. Countries throughout Central and South America are diverse and each area within a country has its own complex history and culture. Families also experience language diversity- speaking Spanish, being bilingual, non Spanish speakers, or speaking indigenous languages.

Regardless of the client, we advocate for businesses to approach their services with a culturally and linguistically relevant lens, being curious, asking questions, not making assumptions and approaching people with humilidad (humility) and a learning mindset. Latinx clients will not all be the same, or have the same needs, so it’s important to understand their cultural context and specific story. In order to work with our community, it is critical that those we serve feel seen and represented. In any field it is important to ask who is at the table, who is not, and why. Linguistic equity is another key piece of how Conexión Américas champions inclusivity and diversity both within our workforce and within the greater Latinx community in Nashville. We are strong advocates with our allies and partners in government, at corporations and in other nonprofits in helping key players understand the importance of ensuring that critical services are offered in languages other than English, and of recruiting and hiring a diverse coaching team that can reflect clients.

What resources exist throughout the state?

There are wonderful and trustworthy organizations throughout the state serving Tennessee’s Latinx and immigrant communities, outside Nashville you can find La Paz Chattanooga, Latino Memphis, Hola Lakeway, and Centro Hispano of East Tennessee to name a few.

How can I get involved?

This work is so important and you are a critical part of this work. Conexión Américas offers many ways that you can join us in building a welcoming community where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed! For coaches in the Nashville area you can get in touch to volunteer! You can support this important work by making a donation towards our Education, Economic Prosperity or Civic Engagement programs. As a small business you can consider donating a percentage of profits during Hispanic Heritage Month to our organization by emailing us at [email protected]- or offering reduced - scaled- pricing for clientele who otherwise might not be able to access your services. We invite you all to stay engaged. Join us as a voice to welcome our neighbors and exercise your right to vote. 

Since 2002, Conexión Américas has been building a welcoming community and creating opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed. You can find more about their work at www.conexionamericas.org.