Vivian and Christina flew down from San Francisco to Los Angeles to host a meetup. The event was well attended and there was a wide range of experience in room- from students, to newly licensed SLPs, to veteran SLPs with over 35 years of experience, and retired SLPs. We had the pleasure of interviewing some of the attendees, and the stories that came from them were definitely worth sharing.

1:00 Yesenia Aguilar

4:20 Crysta Song

6:50 Mai Ly

9:30 Jimmy Tovar

13:05 David Dean

17:35 Yola Robateau

23:06 Debra Moody

The @slpsofcolor Interview Series aims to share the experiences of minority speech-language pathologists because visibility​ and representation are incredibly important. ASHA reported in 2018 that "8.2% of ASHA members, nonmember certificate holders, international affiliates, and associates are members of a racial minority (compared to the 27.6% of the US population)." We want their voices to be HEARD, and to inspire the next generation of speech-language pathologists.

Follow us on our social media accounts at @slpsofcolor. You can also email us at [email protected]

Karina Saechao (@rinasaechao) is a licensed, certified, credentialed, Speech-Language Pathologist, AAC Specialist, and private practice owner. She really is all the things! Karina talked with us about her experience in school, how she came to the field, some challenges she's overcome, and gave some great advice.

Lucia Lainez, SLP, C/NDT (@lalaspeechtherapy) is a bilingual Spanish-speaking, private practitioner who focuses on a holistic approach to speech therapy and feeding therapy. She graciously welcomed us into her home, and sat down with us to talk about family, school, career, and advice she would give her younger self.