About Placita Latina

The Idea

A group of Hispanic/Latinx Decatur and Avondale Estates residents/professionals/friends came together to propose a colorful, cultural, and historical series of events to be held between the two cities during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 – October 15, 2021.

Hispanic Heritage Month was created to promote the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans, from one of over 30 countries and territories that make up Latin America. Communities all over the US mark the achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans with festivals and educational activities. The team saw an opportunity to bring these rich and diverse cultures to both Avondale Estates and Decatur, in a way that hadn’t been done before – and the city governments for both agreed! The result is Placita Latina: a series of “mini-events” that highlight Hispanic/Latinx performance, food, and culture from September 15, through October 15, 2021.

The Committee

Adela Yelton | Program Chair and Event Co-creator 
Adela is a former Avondale Estates City Commissioner and host of the growing podcast, Latina South. which features inspiring stories of Latinas making things happen in their families, businesses in communities. Adela was recently named as one of the 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia in 2021 by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Maria Álvarez | Program CFO and Business Relations coordinator 
Maria is a recent resident of Decatur, but is originally from Nicaragua, and has also lived in Italy and Alaska. She is the CEO of “My Virtual CFO-ATL,” handling financial services for a variety of large and small companies. She has been very involved in the LBGTQ community, serving as treasurer for the only Alaskan LBGTQ organization, Identity Inc. for three years and as a treasurer for Radical Arts for Women for three years.

Mayte “Maria” Peck | Event Co-creator
Originally from NYC and raised in Peru, Mayte (“Maria”) is president of SheLends Consulting and is the Principal Managing Partner at Mark of The Potter. As an entrepreneur and business advisor, Maria has made it her life’s mission to educate and prepare women and minorities for access to capital. She also served as Board Chair for the nonprofit Latino Community Fund of Georgia. Mayte was also recently named as one of the 50 most influential Latinos in Georgia in 2021 by the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Miguel Martinez | Creative Video Production, Vendor Relations
Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Miguel is a six time Emmy-Award winning, independent contractor for Univision, Atlanta and is active in several Georgia-based Latinx community organizations.

Hector Amador | Photography, Storytelling, and Art Exhibit co-chair
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Hector is a Decatur resident, and the owner of Amador Photo, and is the official photographer for the City of Decatur. He is on the board of the Decatur Arts Alliance.

Christy Amador | Placita Latina Vice Chair and Marketing and Communications Chair | 678.576.9617 
Christy is Director of Communications for ADP. She is a longtime resident of Decatur and has served as a committee co-chair for Decatur’s “Better Together” program. She was also named a Decatur Hometown Hero in 2018.

Kris Webb | Education Advisor and “Kids Zone” Chair
Kris is the founder and director of the Science of Fun STEM Camp for children ages 5 to 10. Prior to opening her own business, she was the science department chair for City Schools of Decatur and co-founded the non-profit Sudbury School of Atlanta.