Caroline Gonzales is an abstract artist, born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Gonzales’ work reflects her journey as a woman through obstacles, challenges, and celebrations. Gonzales envisages her blank canvas by digging deep into her emotions and realizations. Colors, forms, and movements all playing a part in her orchestrated conclusion- whether it be one piece or a series for this to happen. Caroline Gonzales obtained her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Texas A&M- Kingsville in 2015. Gonzales has since moved back to San Antonio, where she met her husband, Albert Gonzales. Both having a passion in the arts, and goals for a larger picture, they learned to work together on business endeavors, while still encouraging the individuality of one another’s space and freedom as artists. Gonzales co-owns Southtown Art Gallery with her husband in San Antonio. In 2019, they decided to consolidate their studios and the gallery into one place, making it a studio/workspace and gallery. During this year Gonzales also gave birth to their first child. This gave much change and form to new bodies of work she started creating. In February 2021, Gonzales made the leap and went full-time into her art career.

Ms. Alicia Sebastian is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, and has been a San Antonio resident for 17 years. Ms. Sebastian has worked in nonprofit development and program management for over ten years leading and serving several community initiatives that support positive outcomes, focusing on mentorship, life, and career readiness concentrated on youth development. Sebastian is also an entrepreneur who owns and operates several businesses and has focused on employing single mothers and recent high school graduates, emphasizing teaching them to start and successfully operate businesses of their own. Her academic studies include Interdisciplinary Leadership, Business Management, and Educational Leadership. Ms. Sebastian is currently the Director of Marketing and Communications at Essence Preparatory Public School and serves as the Vice-Principal of the San Antonio Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Amanda Dominguez owns and operates Digital Pro Lab, a full-service professional photo lab located in San Antonio, specializing in image printing and archiving. She has a BA in History and Philosophy from the University of the Incarnate Word. With over 20+ years of experience printing, photo editing, and image archiving, she is dedicated to helping photo takers of all levels document the world and their point of view through printmaking. Amanda Dominguez is an active community and industry member, sitting on the Boards of the Independent Photo Imagers (IPI), Musical Bridges Around the World, and the American Marketing Association.

Alexandra is a public health advocate and tech startup co-founder based in San Antonio, Texas. She’s passionate about creating spaces that empower people to form healing connections within their community. In her free time she loves baking, traveling, and exploring food & culture with her partner and their two dogs.

Akaimi Davis, born and raised in Austin, Texas, knew her life’s calling was to become an artist at the age of 5. Fine art is her third career, following 12 years as a licensed hairstylist, as well as a graphic designer and art director for 11 years. Following a very rare cancer diagnosis in 2012, Davis chose to resign from her position as art director for one of the nation’s top 25 retailers. She delved into painting as a full time career to support herself and her three children. While undergoing 2 years of chemotherapy, she sought art as a therapeutic process, which is still utilized today as a form of meditation and prayer. To see more of Akaimi’s story and work, follow her on Instagram @akaimi.the.artist.

In this third chapter, a new cohort of women discusses the topic of rest. These are women who are changing the landscape of our city and making a tangible impact in our community every day. 

The founder and editor-in-chief of ESJ Magazine, Katie has been working to make sure representation exists within the sustainable fashion space, and that real conversations that lead to accountability and action are happening in fashion. Over the past year, her work with the magazine has expanded to create a bigger platform for Black women and femmes, and artists to reclaim and take up space in ethical and sustainable fashion.

Sarah Wooley is the owner of The Impact Guild.

For 15 years Brielle has worked to create brand identities and digital communication strategies for nonprofits, private businesses, and political campaigns ranging from municipal ballot initiatives to serving as Digital Director for Julián Castro’s presidential campaign. She has poured the soul of her work into advocacy and community-building and has made it her goal to uplift women and help amplify the voices of those who are continuously left behind. Brielle currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the board of health equity nonprofit Con Corazón, and the Bexar County Child Welfare Board.

I hope to uncover what’s inside me — my heart, my mind, and my soul — and to use that light to build something bigger than myself. I believe this life is mine to live, but it is not for me.