Formerly Latina Voices, Rising Voices is a series of programs that celebrate the accomplishments, successes, and cultural riches of the diverse people of the Pikes Peak region – sharing the varied voices and experiences of our community. This year’s program consists of two events: a Panel Discussion and a Celebration. The Panel Discussion will feature members of our community, including Luisa Graff, owner of Luisa Graff Jewelers; Kim Nguyen, art therapist at Diversus Health; and Peter Choi, reporter at KOAA. The Celebration will provide opportunities to enjoy foods, performances, and crafts from many cultures represented in our region.
Rising Voices: A Panel Discussion
East Library: Wed., Aug. 20 from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Join us for a compelling conversation featuring local leaders and changemakers as they share their journeys, challenges, and visions for a bright future for all.
Kim Nguyen
Art Therapist at Diversus Health
Kim Nguyen emigrated from Vietnam to America as a child. Her family endured many hardships to achieve their dream in a new home. Overcoming the odds, Nguyen flourished and exceeded her highest hopes and wildest dreams.
Nguyen has worked with adult populations in mental healthcare since 1986 through different organizations and hospitals. In 1990, she earned a BFA and in 1996 completed a Master of Science degree in art therapy. Nguyen is an intuitive and expressive artist who uses her paintings to heal and raise awareness. She has facilitated numerous workshops, classes, and retreats in California, Colorado, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. She served on the Imagination Celebration board, contributed to the Colorado Springs Asian Committee, and curated projects for the Hillside Community Center ARTSpace Gallery.
Nguyen was named as one of 13 Women of Influence in Colorado Springs by the Colorado Springs Business Journal, among other awards. Currently she works at Diversus Health – art therapy services. On top of this, she teaches expressive techniques for veterans and fallen soldiers’ and veterans’ family members part time at Bemis School of Art at Colorado College. Nguyen is also one of the spiritual directors for the Colorado Springs Catholic Diocese.
Peter W. Choi
Reporter at KOAA News 5
Peter W. Choi joined the KOAA News 5 team as a multimedia journalist in July 2024. Choi’s career began at Arirang TV in South Korea, where he was a bilingual reporter covering the Korean peninsula and international news. His multicultural background brings a unique perspective to his reporting. After two years in Seoul, Choi pursued local journalism at KXLY 4 News Now in Spokane, Washington, covering two devastating wildfires, homelessness, and regional and state legislatures.
Choi was born and raised in South Korea and graduated from Seattle Pacific University, where he studied communication. When Choi is not in the newsroom, you can catch him beatboxing and singing.
Luisa Graff
Owner of Luisa Graff Jewelers
Born in Lima to an American father and a Peruvian mother, Luisa Graff escaped the country by herself at age 12 when the government was overthrown and all major industries nationalized by then-dictator Juan Velasco.
Her father was originally from Colorado, and she made her way to Colorado Springs – joining her older sister and an elderly aunt to start a new life. It would be years until the family was reunited. Speaking only a few words of English, but in need of money, Graff smiled her way into part-time work at a local jewelry store.
A springboard diving scholarship enabled her to attend college, and not long after, she earned honors as the first female gemologist in the western United States certified by the Gemological Institute of America. Gaining valuable experience as a minority shareholder at the same store where she worked as a young girl, Graff struck out on her own in 1999 and established Luisa Graff Jewelers.
Luisa Graff Jewelers grew rapidly, attracting national attention for sales success and yielding many invitations for Graff to speak at national forums. The store ranks among the top independent jewelry retailers in the country, with a single location in Colorado Springs.
A self-described “science nerd,” Graff believes in knowing and teaching the gemology behind the jewelry as a basis for assessing quality and value. She travels all over the world to find high-quality items for her customers. Supported by a knowledgeable staff of 29 professionals she considers family, her goal is to deliver on the promise made to every customer of “Helping You Be Unforgettable!”
Rising Voices: A Celebration
Library 21c: Sat., Aug. 23 from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Join us for a fun-filled festival featuring entertainment, food, and crafts for all to enjoy. Celebrate the many communities and cultures that make up the Pikes Peak region alongside friends, family, and neighbors. Enjoy performances, food, crafts, and entertainment that showcases a tapestry of cultures. Highlights include:
- Traditional Native American dance performed by Seven Falls Indian Dancers
- Irish dance performances by Rose Courtney Academy of Irish Dance
- Dance lessons on two traditional Indian dance styles with Bharatnatyam and Kathak
- Performances by The Colorado Springs Children’s Chorale.
