Women of the Valley Episode 46 Jessica Flores

In this episode of KCBP Community Radio's Women of the Valley, host Linda Scheller interviews Jessica Flores, Cultural Services Program Manager for the City of Modesto, who shares her journey of returning to her hometown after 15 years to lead cultural preservation efforts at the McHenry Museum and McHenry Mansion. Flores discusses the rich, often overlooked histories of Modesto and Stanislaus County, emphasizing the importance of centering Indigenous, African-American, and Latino communities—especially through exhibitions like 'Writing Ourselves In' and the lowrider community showcase. She highlights how storytelling, community collaboration, and digital archiving are transforming the museum into a more inclusive space. Flores also speaks passionately about the museum’s future, including plans for a participatory strategic plan, immersive audiovisual exhibits, and youth engagement through the junior docent program. Her vision is to make the museum a living, evolving cultural hub that reflects the full diversity of the community it serves. Key takeaways include: 1) Museums must evolve from top-down storytelling to community-driven narratives; 2) Local history is deeply personal and best preserved through oral histories and community partnerships; 3) Inclusion isn’t just about representation—it’s about trust, dignity, and giving people ownership over their stories; 4) Small museums can have outsized impact by leveraging technology, volunteers, and strategic collaborations; 5) Youth engagement through programs like junior docents helps build long-term community support; 6) Preservation isn’t just about collecting artifacts—it’s about ethical stewardship and knowing when to say no; 7) Cultural identity in Modesto is shaped by car culture, agriculture, and intergenerational traditions; 8) Accessibility and free programming are essential to building inclusive community spaces.