Quién soy

 Ofelia “MexMama” Faz-Garza was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Oak Cliff, Dallas. As the proud daughter of Mexican migrants, she was grounded in the beauty of her ancestral heritage while encouraged to embrace her freedom. She draws inspiration from living in Nepantla, or the in-between space.

Ofelia is also a mother to three spirited children and a small group of pets, and she is married to a wild-haired Tejano who has enriched her love for Spanglish and Tex-Mex culture.

 Ofelia has nearly 20 years of professional experience in the non-profit and social services sectors before transitioning into cultural work. As a bridge builder, she creates programs and activities that leverage the arts to bring the community together around social justice issues. 

Some of her projects include:

Semillitas Literary Initiative:  a literary arts initiative aimed at cultivating a love for lifelong reading through monthly book chats, story times, community book exchanges, and designated reading nooks. 

Con Safos Initiative:  an initiative to create multicultural and intergenerational spaces in North Texas that celebrate cultural experiences through the arts. This includes community cultural art festivals, storytelling and book-making events, and a self-guided tour of Day of the Dead ofrendas. 

Señora Things:  a creative project that explores aging and changing bodies through gatherings designed for women entering this new phase of life. This journey will include a visual art and literary project to further reflect and celebrate these experiences. 

Libro Tianguis:  a community market centered around books and the written word, providing a space where authors and creatives can sell their work directly to the public. 

En La Mesa:  writer's programs and performances that connect established and emerging QBIPOC writers, providing opportunities for learning, collaboration, and networking.