Vanessa Castro
Lead Community Organiser
She/They
WHAT MAKES ME HOPEFUL?
Fighting against injustices is exhausting, but the individuals who wholeheartedly embody the values of a just world and those building life-affirming infrastructures provide glimpses of a future that I cannot wait for - this gives me hope.
WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?
The way my area has changed over the last 10 years makes me angry! Gentrification is violent, when my loved ones are forced to move out of the area they grew up in, when I can no longer enjoy my favourite Colombian cafe because it's been replaced by a sports brand, the list is endless.
Bio
My journey with The Advocacy Academy (TAA) began in 2015 when I joined the Fellowship programme, and later on completed the young changemaker apprenticeship program. I am now a full-time staff member - a full circle moment!
I am co-organiser of LatinXcluded - a youth collective that originated under the guidance of TAA which fights for the representation of the Latin American community. I am a 2022/23 Civic Futures fellow - a growing Fellowship facilitated by Koreo, Dark Matter Labs and The Young Foundation, in partnership with the GLA. I am a proud South Londoner and I’m passionate about creating intergenerational spaces for community building, meaningful discussions, and joy.
