Leslie Alvarez

Leslie Alvarez is a visionary leader, cultural healer, and lifelong advocate for immigrant justice. Born in Tlalnepantla, Mexico and raised in Minnesota from the age of three, Leslie has dedicated her life to uplifting marginalized voices and organizing for meaningful change. Her advocacy spans campaigns, community education, and cultural healing, with a particular focus on immigrant rights and racial equity.

An Aztec dancer and cultural practitioner, Leslie uses her indigenous heritage as a tool for healing and empowerment—bringing visibility to the cultural rights of immigrant communities across Minnesota. As Co-Executive Director of T.O.N.E. U.P., she leads with empathy, courage, and an unshakable belief in the power of community.

Leslie is also a founding member of The People’s Canvass, a worker-owned cooperative rooted in grassroots power. Her work centers Black and Brown women, offering pathways to leadership, personal development, and resource access. Driven by her own journey of resilience, Leslie continues to build spaces where healing, advocacy, and transformation can thrive.

For speaking engagements or leadership inquiries:

Contact Leslie Alvarez, Co-Executive Director at leslie@toneup.org

Connect:

T.O.N.E. U.P. on LinkedIn

@t.o.n.e.u.p._ on Instagram