Tata G is a respected elder, a keeper of wisdom, and a community leader with more than 52 years of experience in teaching, supporting men, and promoting community involvement.

Grounded in his P’urhépecha heritage, he is committed to restoring ancestral memory, fostering cultural belonging, and enhancing holistic well-being through both traditional andcontemporary healing practices. His work combines Indigenous knowledge, energy practices, and emotional wellness, guiding individuals and communities toward both personal and collective transformation.

Tata G is a proud father of five, a grandfather to seven, and co-founder of the Xangari Institute, a healing and reconnection space dedicated to BIPOC, Latinx, and Indigenous communities. He has led workshops, trainings, and ceremonies throughout Southern California, emphasizing intergenerational healing, wellness, and resilience. His methodology is deeply rooted in sacred reciprocity, respect, and the transformative power of storytelling and shared experiences.

This workshop explores the profound impact of conscious fatherhood, emphasizing the sacred role fathers play in the emotional and spiritual development of their children.

Drawing on ancestral wisdom and modern parenting practices, we will delve into how fathers can raise children with intention, love, and deep presence.

In this session, we will reflect on the concept of "fatherhood as ceremony," where each interaction with our children becomes an opportunity for healing, growth, and connection.

Speakers Bio:

Efrain and Jose’s friendship began in high school in the mid-2000s. After graduating from high school and college, they each set out on their own paths, navigating the complexities of manhood within Latino culture—where masculinity is often shaped by stoicism, strength, and the pressure to provide, while vulnerability is seen as weakness.

As they both delved deeper into their personal healing journeys, they began to challenge these traditional narratives. Years later, they reconnected—bonded by their shared experiences of working in the community and navigating fatherhood alone. They realized that breaking generational cycles required creating spaces where fathers could embrace their full humanity—strong yet vulnerable, providers yet emotionally present.

Inspired by their growth, they decided to join forces and create a safe, courageous space for fathers to connect, heal, and redefine masculinity. This vision eventually evolved into Latino Dad Connection. Today, Jose and Efrain are not only co-founders of this fatherhood movement but compadres at heart, united by their commitment to reshaping what it means to be a father and a man.

In this workshop, participants will experience the power and importance of having like-minded fathers in their corner. It highlights why it’s essential for men to build deep, meaningful friendships with other men and how to overcome the cultural stigmas that often discourage emotional openness. Participants will explore how vulnerability is a strength and how redefining masculinity can lead to deeper connections, both with their children and themselves.

Speaker Bio:

Fernando Deveras is the son of immigrants of Mexican descent, a father to a beautiful 10-year-old son, community organizer, certified educator, and the Resident Dad at Latinx Parenting.

Fernando’s advocacy work has centered around empowering working class families through education, neighborhood organizing, and direct action to enact change in our communities. Professionally, Fernando served 5 years as a middle school teacher where he taught English, World History, Social Emotional Learning, among various other subjects. During his time in the classroom, Fernando also took on the role of Restorative Justice Practitioner, helping to mediate conflicts and teach social emotional skills to students.

In 2023, Fernando joined Latinx Parenting as a Facilitator and Director of Community Engagement. Founded by Leslie Priscilla, Latinx Parenting brings trauma-informed healing-centered family education to the Latine community in a way that is culturally relevant, accessible, and compassionate. Their work emphasizes the importance of helping families heal intergenerational traumas so that they can be more fully present in the lives of the people they love, especially their children.

What have we been taught about what it means to "be a man?” What does it mean to be a good father? Answering these questions can be difficult, especially for those of us who didn't have many positive examples in our own lives. In this session we'll unpack the lessons we learned about what it means to be a father, and more generally, what it means to be a man in the Latino and Chicano community. We'll share our stories about our own experiences growing up, and we will carve a path, for fathers and father figures alike, to raise the next generation of men who will move in truth, love, and a sense of pride in who they are.

Dr. Cholula specializes in supporting individuals and families to manage stressors that affect daily functioning and family dynamics. His areas of specialization focus on treating symptoms of anxiety, depression, parenting, trauma, ADHD, grief & loss, and sports performance.

As a Licensed Psychologist in California (PSY 32179) and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado (LPC#0012058), Dr. Cholula has the privilege of helping individuals, couples and families as they struggle with difficult situations using evidence-based and research-based treatments to help families, modifying treatment as needed to meet the need of the client.

Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children

This workshop empowers Latino fathers with the tools to nurture their children’s emotional intelligence, fostering strong parent-child connections. Through interactive discussions and practical strategies, dads will learn how to recognize and regulate emotions, support their children's emotional growth, and create a safe space for open communication. We’ll explore the impact of cultural expectations on emotional expression and how fathers can model healthy ways to process and express feelings. By strengthening these skills, fathers can help their children build resilience, empathy, and confidence, setting them up for lifelong success in relationships, school, and beyond.