The inaugural AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event will be a showcase of the most diverse and impactful young professionals in various fields of work across the Philadelphia region.

At the virtual event, taking place August 20, 2020, Joy Soto, 31, will be one of the 40 honorees. She is currently a Community Voices & Engagement Fellow at WHYY. 

As part of the lead-up to the event, AL DÍA asked each of the 40 honorees the same three questions and collected their responses. 

Here are Joy Soto’s responses:

Networking and making certain connections with other professionals has been something that has held me back throughout my career. Many young professionals of color are not taught about the importance of networking and in Philadelphia, it is very important to have that support. I am a very independent worker and person and that can hinder moving forward in your career when you do not know when to ask for help.

I have worked with many youth from all walks of life in Philadelphia. My proudest moments have been when we have established a trust and respect for one another that is not easy to come by in many cases. I have also been extremely proud of my work to empower youth and encourage them to use their voices. Currently, I work to include diverse voices in the news. Every day that I spend learning and working in a newsroom makes me realize how important true community engagement and building trust with the community is.

It is long overdue that more diverse leadership, in all ways imaginable, needs to happen. There is a lack of mentoring for these positions that can start much earlier than we are used to. In many situations, I have been the youngest, one of few women, and almost always the only Latina in the room and it’s 2020. It’s also not about having a seat at the table but a voice that will truly make a difference and be taken seriously.

To register for the upcoming AL DÍA 40 Under Forty event, click here. 

For more information about the event, reach out to alliyahm@aldianews.com.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact martina@aldianews.com.