Hidden Gems: Meet Michael Centeno of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Centeno.

Hi Michael, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story? 
In 2001 I saw an article in the Daily News about a new bookstore and coffee shop catered to artists. As a filmmaker, I said to myself, “I’m an artist! I should go check this place out!” During my first visit to Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural, I met other volunteers and staff and left committing to hosting weekly film screenings. That was my introduction to this amazing place. The for-profit business quickly began to attract local artists such as myself, who began volunteering their time to host workshops, classes, and events. Three years in, co-founders Luis J. Rodriguez and Trini Rodriguez formed the non-profit arm, Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural. At that time, I was hired on to manage a few grants that were awarded for cultural arts programs. 5 years later, the Cafe was forced to relocate, and at that time, the for-profit business donated all of its assets to the non-profit and has continued to this day as Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural. I also left the organization in 2007, eventually making my way back to the Board of Directors, then a consultant and Development Director, and in 2018, I was voted in as Executive Director, taking over the role that co-founder Trini Rodriguez held for 17 years. Today, after 3 moves, we are now in our 4th location in Sylmar, just a few blocks from our original location, and will be celebrating our 23 years of service to the Northeast San Fernando Valley and beyond. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Over the years, our organization has faced many challenges. From being forced out of locations due to extreme rent increases, to navigating through a recession, and most recently a global pandemic. A long-term goal of ours is to acquire and own a building where we do not have to pay rent and worry about those increasing costs. Our bookstore generated earned revenue, however fundraising through private and government grants and individual donors is always constant. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Our mission is to transform community in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and beyond through ancestral knowledge, the arts, literacy, and creative engagement. Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural has provided year-round, onsite, and offsite arts and literacy programming to the Northeast San Fernando Valley (NSFV). Current programs include Cultural Arts Series, 8-12 week arts education classes; Trauma to Transformation, cultural arts programming to systems impacted youth and adults; Indigenous in Us, sharing community-based Indigenous Native Mexica teachings and practices; Major and Recurring Events, consisting of open mic nights, creative writing workshops, art exhibitions, annual Dia de los Muertos workshops, an annual winter arts celebration, and more. Since 2005, we have hosted the Celebrating Words Festival, the longest-running free annual outdoor literacy & arts festival in the NSFV. Through our bookstore, we host literacy-focused programs, including a monthly book club focused on social change books; Lil’ Readers, a bilingual and multicultural story hour and activities for families with toddlers; and Author Events featuring local and nationwide authors whose stories reflect that of our communities. 

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We welcome individuals to support our work and organization by shopping at our curated bookstore, either online or in person. If anyone is interested in donating to continue our work, we have a monthly Dream-Maker membership program and always welcome one-time donations. Donations can be made directly to our website here: 

tiachucha.org/donate 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tiachucha.org
• Instagram: @tiachuchas
• Facebook: facebook.com/tiachuchascentrocultural
• Twitter: twitter.com/tiachucha
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@tiachuchascentrocultural

Image Credits
Noe Montes