Latina South

"I always say, if you have a brain, if have a body...you have a voice and you can be a leader. And we are all influential in our own networks. - Gigi Pedraza, Founding Executive Director of Latino Community Fund of Georgia

Gigi Pedraza is founding Executive Director of the nonprofit, Latino Community Fund of Georgia. In part two of our conversation, Gigi shares what she loves about living in South including the increasing diversity of people in the region.  She also shares more about the challenges facing nonprofits - from the way the work is perceived to having to face society’s most complex  challenges with limited resources. Gigi invites all of us to become leaders in our own spaces and support the organizations doing impactful work in the Latinx community. 

• Find out more about Latinos for Democracy redistricting work, Un Mapa Para Todos.
• Connect with Latino Community Fund of Georgia and support their work: @lcf_georgia.
• If you missed Part 1 of our conversation, you can listen here: https://bit.ly/GigiPedraza

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"The most important thing that someone can have, if they don't understand something, is curiosity. [If] people just ask why, I think we have already common ground. - Gigi Pedraza, Latino Community Fund of Georgia

Gigi Pedraza is the founding Executive Director of the nonprofit, Latino Community Fund of Georgia and one of the most influential Latinas in the state. In the first of two parts of our conversation, Gigi shares with us the catalytic moments which fueled her journey to become both a social entrepreneur and vocal advocate for the Latino Community in Georgia. Gigi also shares her thoughts on philanthropy and her approach to both creating awareness and securing resources for the organizations tackling the most complex issues for the Latino community Georgia. 

Stay tuned and be sure to listen to part two of this episode where Gigi reveals more about living in the South, nonprofit challenges and critical issues impacting the community.

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"It's important that you network with other leaders, directors - not necessarily just executives - so that they are advocating for you as well. It's not just a one of one, it's one of many conversations that you have to have to build that network and for others to also be able to envision how you can be part of that leadership team." - Ana Baskharone

Ana Baskharone is a Director in a large utilities company headquartered in Houston, Texas. After 30 years of working hard, Ana began to feel stuck in her career - so she hired a coach. That move, among others, helped her to land a new position when she began to advocate for herself and share her story as a leader. Ana talks about her Latina identity and her journey as a first generation college student to corporate director. She describes her love of golf and its parallels to life. She also shares her passion for early childhood education as a Board member of nonprofit, Collaborative for Children.

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Anger is the spark.  You know, anger is good sometimes. It's good if it moves you to action." - Dr. Betina Kaplan, Co-founder, ULead Athens

Dr. Betina Kaplan teaches Latin American cultures and literatures at the University of Georgia. In 2010 she became angered by the policies banning undocumented students from the top 5 public universities in Georgia. Betina shares how anger inspired her to take action - she became part of the founding group of Freedom University in Atlanta, a safe space for undocumented students to continue their education. In 2014, she also co-founded ULead Athens, a volunteer organization enabling college access for immigrant students and students from immigrant families - where she continues her work today.

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“I said: send me, let me go, I want to do this." - Ashley Garcia, COVID ICU Nurse

Tejana and healthcare hero, Ashley Garcia, is a nurse who, early in career and at the height of the pandemic, volunteered to work in COVID Intensive Care Units of hospitals throughout the country. In addition to sharing stories from the ICU, Ashley talks about how being a part of a team and having a self-care routine got her through difficult times while she caring for others. She also talks about getting married to her long-time love in a drive-thru wedding where guests were able to drop off gifts and receive their packaged dinner while enjoying music by a Selena impersonator - a time of joy and celebration during the toughest days of the pandemic.

Mental health is more important now than ever. For resources and help, please visit National Alliance on Mental Illness: nami.org.

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"The only thing we have guaranteed in this world is that we are going to face change. That, to me, has always been an empowering thought...all my life, I have faced change with optimism." - Mariela Romero

Mariela Romero is an award-winning journalist and Univision’s Regional Community Empowerment Director and host of the television magazine, Conexion Fin de Semana. With 27 Emmys and a Latin Grammy nomination among her accomplishments, she has over 25 years of television and radio broadcast experience. Her first day at CNN Radio En Español  took place on the terror-filled September 11, 2001. Let’s listen as she shares how that one day of reporting prepared her for journalism in a way she could not have even imagined. Mariela also shares with us how her time as a hospital and court interpreter opened both her eyes and her heart to the issues impacting the Latino community and inspires her empowerment work today. 

Here are just of few organizations Mariela mentions in her interview. She helps to provide nonprofit heroes a voice in her daily work and invites us to support these organizations as well.

Latin American Association

Latino Community Fund of Georgia

Corners Outreach

Los Niños Primero

La Amistad

Thank you for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Hopefully, like many of you, we are taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen to a REPLAY of Latina South Episode 14, featuring Latina Marcie Chapa where she talks about her journey as a world class percussionist. 

Also make sure you visit the shownotes where we include a link to our recent Latina South listener survey! Let us know what you think for a chance to shape the show and to win some Latina South swag. Thanks for your support! Hasta la proxima, see y’all! To listen to prior episodes and more, visit us: www.latinasouth.com

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Hopefully like all of you, we're taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen mi amiga, my friend, Audra Agen of Women in the Arena podcast where she celebrates everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. Let's listen as Audra speaks to Latina and educational leader, Dr. Lupita Hightower where she talks about her passion for education and her journey to District Superintendent in Arizona. 

Also make sure you visit the shownotes where we include a link to our recent Latina South listener survey! Let us know what you think for a chance to shape the show and to win some Latina South swag. Thanks for your support! Hasta la proxima, see y’all! To listen to prior episodes and more, visit us: www.latinasouth.com

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"We get one ride..." - Women in the Arena Podcast Guest Delilah Buitrón Arrebola

Hopefully, like all of you, we're taking a break! We'll enjoy some summer vibes while working to bring you Series II of some of the most inspiring stories of amazing Latinas making things happen throughout the South. In the meantime, I invite you to listen mi amiga, my friend, Audra Agen of Women in the Arena podcast where she celebrates everyday women living extraordinary lives in plain sight. Let's listen as Audra speaks to Latina and Flamenco dancer, Delilah Buitrón Arrebola where she talks about her journey to dance and more. 

Also make sure you visit the shownotes where we include a link to our recent Latina South listener survey! Let us know what you think for a chance to shape the show and to win some Latina South swag. Thanks for your support! Hasta la proxima, see y’all! To listen to prior episodes and more, visit us: www.latinasouth.com

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"What is being Simply Latina? It really doesn’t have to fit a narrative. It’s just YOU being whatever you feel like as being Latina....We each have our own perspective of what that looks like.”" - Nataly Suarez, Simply Latina

Nataly, Blanca, & Samy Suarez are three sisters and founders of Simply Latina, a growing brand based out of Atlanta, Georgia that began with scented candles and apparel inspired by their Mexican culture. With cute sayings like ‘Sana, sana, colita de rana,” and “Necesito mi cafecito,” they incorporate their bicultural and family experiences into their scents and creations. Let’s listen as they share with us what it takes to start a business and keep it going, all while having each other’s back and putting family first.

Keep up with their newest creations and inspirations on Instagram @SimplyLatinaDesigns or visit their shop on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimplyLatina. 

Thanks for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Your favorite version of you is who you can be every single day. And that is what my biggest lesson is from making the film, working on the next film and doing all the things I've done. My absolute favorite version of Denise is the one that I get to be and the one that I choose to be every single day. And it's actually where all of the success lives as well. It's possible for you because it's possible for me. " - Denise Soler Cox

Denise Soler Cox is an award-winning Latina filmmaker and cultural storyteller dedicated to helping people transform how we experience culture, identity, and what it means to belong. Denise talks about how a night out in Miami inspired her multi-year journey to create the film, Project Eñye, an exploration of first generation Latinx identity. Denise also shares about how she ‘pokes the beehive’ on hot topics via her podcast: The Self-ish Latina. She also reveals her next film project, an idea inspired by the hidden and often painful stories of Latinas shared with her throughout her travels.

Denise talks with Adela about the seeds in her life which started her 17-year journey to realizing the film, Project Eñye, a film about Latinx identity and belonging. Adela says the film will stand the test of time because the message still resonates today especially with the growing Latinx community in Georgia and throughout the South.

Denise describes her experience living in Miami (and we count Florida as part of the South ;) where she embraced her Latinidad, and when she decided not to mispronounce her last name, Soler, ever again. They also talk about how representation matters in all walks of life.

Her podcast, The Self-ish Latina, gives us all permission to take care of ourselves to get what we need to make us happy, even if it ‘pokes the beehive’ of some community norms - if you dare listen to it. 

In her exploration of identity, she has discovered the Eñye experience of belonging is a universal one and can apply to many communities where people relocate across cultures and have families. Denise talks about her next film which encourages healing through the courageous sharing of painful stories. 

Connect with Denise on public speaking opportunities on belonging - she even offers a trade for Atlanta-based Spanx! 

Thanks for supporting Latina South podcast! Please share the show with a friend or drop us a line: hola@latinasouth.com.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"One of the things that I would say was very important for me to run [for US Congress] was because...the reality is that no one else is going to come tell me what that experience is like. It's one of those things that you really have to do, to really understand what it takes [and] what's necessary. One of the things that I learned is what I still need to do to potentially be successful the next time that I may run, or may quite frankly, do anything else. " - Brenda Lopez Romero

In this second of two episodes, we welcome again Brenda Lopez Romero. In this part of the conversation, Brenda talks about the changing demographics in Georgia, her Latina identity including lingering issues within our own Latino community. She also reveals some critical lessons learned about what it takes to run for US Congress in Georgia - a recent process she says she could only learn from by trying it for herself.

In case you missed it, be sure to listen to the first episode where Brenda shares about her early life and how it feels to be among the first and the few Latina-elected officials in Georgia. She also talks about what we can do to offer young people exposure to the places where decisions are made - helping to build experience in the future leaders of our community.

Visit us: www.latinasouth.com and follow us @LatinaSouth.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"As young people, your job right now is to put in a lot of work. And for me, I see that as the investment. You have to invest in yourself first, by putting in the work and by doing the best job that you can. And when you're young...you don't have to sleep." - Brenda Lopez Romero

.............

In the first of two parts of this Episode, we talk with powerhouse Latina, Brenda Lopez Romero. Brenda made history in 2016 when she became the very first Latina elected to the Georgia General Assembly. Born in Mexico, she came to the US at age 5 and became a US citizen in 2008. Let’s listen as Brenda talks about how it feels to be among the first and the few. She shares her personal story, like that of her father’s, as one of responsibility and hard work from a very young age. She also talks about what we can do to offer young people exposure to the places where decisions are made - helping to build experience in the future leaders of our community.

And there we pause the first of two parts of Episode 18 of our interview with Brenda Lopez Romero. Stay tuned and be sure to listen to the second episode where Brenda reveals some critical lessons learned during her 2020 US Congressional campaign in Georgia - a process she says she could only learn from by running and trying it herself. 

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Just because I am an immigrant, just because I am a woman, just because I am half Afro-Latina or half-Malay, I can still do it. You have the same power that I do." - Ish Gayle

Ish Gayle shares with us how she grew up in Panama City, Panama with a Malaysian father and an Afro-Latina mother and her experience moving to the US as a young adult. Ish also talks about her time working for the Atlanta Regional Commission and her path to obtaining a college degree later in life 

She also describes her work with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) and the Center for Pan Asian Community Services in Atlanta (CPACS). Her work with EME Mujer, Empowering, Motivating, and Empowering Latinas, a GHCC program also holds a special place in her heart. 

Thank you for listening to Latina South! Please join us for our first Cocktails y Charlas: A Virtual Conversation event on Thurs @7P US EST, May 6, 2021. Register to receive a complimentary Georgia-made, Latina South pottery mug!

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

"Being from the South and being Latina, at least my experience and in my journey...I felt like they were working against each other. And back to that feeling of 'Ni de Aquí o Ni de Alla,' as I look back I see so much complexity in that story." - Elaine Utin 

Elaine talks about growing up in the South between a pecan and peach orchard. Born in Peru, she describes spending her formative years in faith-based communities influenced by her father while also visiting Peru and experiencing food, music, and language from her mother and grandmother. She talks about using the two sides of her brain when describing the two sides of her identity.

She eventually realizes the complexity of her identity in her experience as a first-generation college student and in her college years. She begins to unpack the many layers of her experiences in the development of her work with the Latinx community.

Elaine talks about LatinxEd and how her lived experience of being a learner in the South influenced her approach to creating the South Carolina nonprofit organization which serves youth in the Latinx community.

Adela asks Elaine, “What does your support structure look like?” Elaine talks about the challenges of being an entrepreneur while being a Mom and using coaching as a tool to help her with mindset and personal growth. She also talks about democratizing coaching for Latinx youth through the program Somos Carolina.

We can support Elaine and her work by visiting LatinxEd.org and learn more about impactful programs like College y Consejos and Somos Carolina.

Words of wisdom from Elaine: She encourages us all to allow ourselves to experience the complexity and nuance that is our own humanity and Latinx identity.

Thank you for listening to Latina South! If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or drop us a note at hola@latinasouth.com. For more episodes, please visit our website: www.latinasouth.com. Or follow us on social media @LatinaSouth. 

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“My words are specifically to the Latinas of the South: Your voice is so important, needed, of value, beautiful. You have a style and an energy that this world needs more of.” – Stefanie Diaz

Stefanie talks about her personal and family journey to claiming her Latina identity, growing up in Georgia and feeling between two worlds. She describes going back to Puerto Rico and feeling as if she’s leaving a part of her heart behind when she leaves the island. She also talks about finding her tribe later in life.

Stefanie tells us what led to her work with Zane Venture Fund and her podcast, She Conquers Capital. Letting go of fear and going after her dreams with intention was an approach inspired by her son. 

One thing we can do to overcome the fears of ‘not being ready’ or imposter syndrome is to flip the script and instead congratulate ourselves for being in a place where we are about to grow and develop.

Adela and Stefanie talk about how she is helping to make the venture capital world more welcoming. One way is how she uses her podcast platform, She Conquers Capital, to educate all about the world of capital while elevating the voices of underrepresented founders. Her advice: go to where you are celebrated and know your own value all while challenging yourself to come out of your safe zone.

Stephanie talks more about the inspiration behind creating the WOE (The Women Only Experience) for female founders. She leaves some words of wisdom for the Latinas of the South – our voices are both important and needed.

Thank you for listening to Latina South! If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or drop us a note at hola@latinasouth.com. For more episodes, please visit our website: www.latinasouth.com. Or follow us on social media @LatinaSouth.

Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“There’s nothing more [important] to life than just being happy and being your true self and who you are supposed to be and who you are supposed to be with. If other people are not allowing you to have that, shame on them. Only you are responsible for your happiness.” – Marcie Chapa

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, world percussionist Marcie Chapa now finds herself in California as an arts educator, sharing her gift of percussion with her students. 

Adela asks Marcie how she felt being surrounded by so many female percussionists back when she auditioned for Beyonce’s all-female touring band. She admits she wanted to say to everyone, “Where have y’all been all my life?” She cherishes the relationships she made during that time on tour.

Marcie talks about her Latina identity and being Tejana - at times feeling not Mexican enough and not American enough. Marcie also reveals about how love and happiness happened for her later in life with the support of family and friends.

Marcie asks us to consider supporting the Arts Council of Monterey County where she serves as a Board member and also the North Monterey County High School music program.

The song  “Higher” by the OGs used with Marcie Chapa's permission. You can find out more about them here https://theogsofficial.bandcamp.com/releases.

Thank you for listening to Latina South & please leave a review! 

“Not only seek mentors, but also seek sponsors. A sponsor is somebody that is a decision maker that will raise a hand...while you are not at the table, who will fight for a raise for you, who will fight for a change in job title for you.” – Adriana Varela, Global Immigration Attorney

In this episode, global immigration attorney Adriana Varela describes her Latina identity and relocating from Mexico to the US as an adult. She describes how these experiences inform her servant leader approach to serving multicultural employees and their families in the sometimes-challenging  world of international assignment relocations.

Adriana talks more about servant leadership and her journey from volunteering with little experience to ultimately being invited to lead as Chair of the Board of Directors of New American Pathways, an Atlanta nonprofit with the mission of helping refugees thrive. She also serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of GALEO, a nonprofit with the mission of increasing civic engagement within the Georgia Latino community.

Adriana provides some words of wisdom to Latinas in the South: get involved. Now is not the time to be an observer, it is a time to act – to educate ourselves and to raise our hands to make things happen. 

Thank you for listening to Latina South podcast. Visit our Patreon page to support our show. Please also leave a review and share this episode with a friend. To listen to more episodes, visit us at www.LatinaSouth.com.

“Don’t assume people are always against something...but also don’t assume that people are going to be supportive. You have to have logical arguments, you have to do your homework, you have to have the statistics and the research as to why you want to implement a change. I think it’s really important that you are prepared.” - Hon. Deborah Gonzalez, District Attorney of the Western Judicial Circuit in Georgia.

Deborah talks about her Latina identity and how being Boricua shows up in her everyday life. Deborah shares her journey to making history by becoming the first Latina district attorney in Georgia and the first woman district attorney in the Western judicial circuit. Before she was able to run, she took on the governor with a lawsuit that was appealed 5 times and ultimately resulted in a unanimous vote from the state supreme court which allowed an election to take place.

Adela asks, “Deborah, what kept you going?” She kept going because she felt that she was right. She thinks about this message often from her father - if there is something that needs to be done and you are the only one that could do it, it is your duty to do that thing.

Deborah has a message to the voters who did not vote for her: give her a chance. Her word for 2021 is to ‘listen’ which for her means having an open-door policy and inviting everyone to conversation. Her approach also includes frequent communication and keeping people informed so they know more about what happens in the district attorney’s office.

She shares some lessons learned from her time serving in the Georgia General Assembly. Being prepared is very important for her and is what the people who elected her deserve in order to effect change.

Deborah opens up about the demands of public service and shares strategies that help mitigate the impact on her time and energy. It is important to have a support system and for each person to define parameters that work for them and their situation. For her, support comes from her husband and taking the time for self-care in order to keep from burning the candle at both ends. Watching Netflix with a glass of wine and her kitten on her lap provides her with needed respite. 

She talks more about her family, her grown children and grandchildren. Her grandsons provide Deborah with inspiration to approach the important work of criminal justice with humanity. While living in the South presented some challenges for her at first, now she feels confident in calling Georgia home. Her choice to live in Georgia inspires her to work harder to make her home a better place for all people.

Deborah shares some words of wisdom – you have what you need inside of you. What you have to offer the world is what the community needs. You have a role to play and people need you to fulfill that role.

Deborah invites us to learn more about criminal justice reform, a bipartisan issue. To support criminal justice work, consider Justice is On the Agenda Fund designed to bridge the gap between resources needed for reform and available dollars. Donations are used for training and community outreach and other activities the District Attorney's office could not fund on its own. Other organizations include The Georgia Justice Reform Partnership and the Georgia Justice Project. You can also contact Deborah directly at deborah@deborahgonzalez.com and follow her on Facebook  @DG4DA.

“I still hold myself accountable for sitting at the table and having a voice at the table when others don’t. For me that’s a huge responsibility but it’s also a huge honor to be able to be a voice for people who perhaps feel unheard or unseen.” – Nury Castillo Crawford 

In 2016, Nury Castillo Crawford was driven to write her own book based upon her own personal journey from Peru to the US in order to counter the negative immigrant narratives being circulated on the time. While doing the research in publishing her book, she decided to create her own publishing house, 1010 Publishing which focuses on bilingual stories. Her book, 3585 Miles to Be an American Girl,  is the first in her Sofia  series.

Nury talks about how being Latina has always been a big part of who she is and how it helped her to thrive in a new and changing world. Education and giving back to the community is very important to her. Nury shares her experience of living in the South and speaking up, even when others may not like it. She has some tips for both children and adults on how to speak your voice – it’s not always what you have to say, but how you say it.

Nury talks about another book, Soy Mexicana, Soy Me, a story of a young girl moving between two countries and two cultures. Her publishing company is also expanding offerings in multiple languages.

We can best support Nury and her work by visiting 1010Publishing.com and by sharing on social media @1010Publishing to help increase awareness of biliteracy which helps to empower bicultural communities.

Nury offers words of wisdom: you can make a difference, even if you help one person. She encourages everyone  to think about elevating others in their daily lives, even just one person at time. 

Thank you for listening! You can support Latina South on Patreon  and by sharing this episode with a friend.