ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — For Hispanic Heritage Month 2025, Spectrum News has spotlighted Lisset Hanewicz, the first Hispanic to ever be elected to the St. Petersburg City Council.
What You Need To Know
Lisset Hanewicz was the first Hispanic to ever be elected to the St. Petersburg City Council in 2021
She has served more than half of her first term which expires in January 2027
Hanewicz credits her family for leaving Cuba and putting her on a path to make history in St. Petersburg
The 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is “collective heritage: honoring the past, inspiring the future”
“I truly did not know that there had never been a Hispanic male or female city council member in the City of St. Petersburg,” she said. “It’s overwhelming to think that you actually are the first elected official in our city that represents the Hispanic community, and it’s an honor.”
Hanewicz was elected to the city council in November 2021 and has served more than half of her first term, which expires in January 2027. Her fellow city council members elected Hanewicz to serve as vice chair this year, further cementing her leadership in the city.
“You want to show, no matter where you’re from, that any child can go and be a city council member, be the next governor or be the next President of the United States,” she said. “Even if you are a child of immigrants.”
Hanewicz said her family fled Cuba in the 1960s during the Freedom Flights. She was born in Tampa but was raised in Miami by her mother and grandmother. Hanewicz finished high school at night so she could work during the day to help her mom pay the bills and went to law school at the age of 30.
“They wanted to make sure that I got an education because education was the path for a better life,” she said. “My mom passed away right before I took office and the lessons that both her and my grandmother… taught me in terms of hard work and perseverance always are with me.”
In 2006, Hanewicz moved to St. Petersburg’s Crescent Lake neighborhood. She worked as a Pinellas County prosecutor and then as a federal prosecutor before deciding to leave her career to start a family. Hanewicz became the president of the Crescent Lake Neighborhood Association in 2016, which launched her career in politics.
“I had my daughter, and I was staying home, and I wanted to get involved in the community,” she said. “The timing was perfect.”
Hanewicz is proud to represent District 4 and knows its history well. She has stories about Huggins-Stengel Field, which was the spring training site for the New York Yankees beginning in 1925.
“When Babe Ruth played, and he hit a homer so hard, there used to be alligators, and people didn’t want to go get the ball because there would be an alligator sunning in the field,” she said. “It’s on the national register.”
Hanewicz’s personal story fits well with this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme, “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” She credits her family for putting her on a path to make history in St. Petersburg and hopes to serve as a role model to inspire future civic leaders.
“When you’re a child, a lot of times you don’t see people that represent you in elected government,” she said. “It’s the best way I can honor my family and what they did to come to our country for freedom.”
La Familia Project is building equity, culture, and community through sport, art, and wellness.
Source: La Familia Project
Powered by adidas Community Lab, this grassroots NYC initiative is rewriting what community care looks like.
In the heart of New York City, where cultures collide and communities rise despite systemic barriers, the La Familia Project (LFP) is making waves — not with fanfare, but with impact. Rooted in the belief that health, expression, and community belong to everyone, LFP is a grassroots organization dedicated to providing free sports, arts, and wellness programming for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth, young adults, and seniors across underserved NYC neighborhoods.
Thanks to the support of the adidas Community Lab initiative, LFP has expanded its reach and deepened its impact — creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces where identity and movement are celebrated side by side. La Familia Project’s journey began with a single, powerful question: What if every young person had access to a safe space for both physical and emotional expression?
“The biggest inspiration came from noticing just how few quality & consistent physical and mental health programs were available for inner-city youth and their families,” explains Javana Mundy Quesada, Co-Founder of LFP. “At first, it was really about boxing… but as we grew, we realized the need was so much bigger.”
With a background in the arts, Javana naturally helped expand the organization’s mission from sports alone to a more holistic model — incorporating creative arts and wellness practices like mindfulness, movement, and healing workshops.
“We’re intentional about embedding social and emotional learning into everything,” she says. “It’s not just about throwing a punch or kicking a ball — it’s about life skills.”
In a city as diverse as New York, no single program can serve everyone — unless it listens first.
“We start by listening,” says Founder Vidal Quesada Guzman. “Before we roll out a program, we propose ideas, gather feedback, and build together with the community.”
From bilingual services to hiring instructors who are already respected leaders within their neighborhoods, LFP ensures that its spaces reflect the people they’re built for.
“It’s important that people feel seen and heard… representation matters,” Vidal adds.
Over the weekend, LFP brought its mission to the pitch with a Women’s 3v3 Soccer Tournament, timed to coincide with Mexican Independence Day. The event blended athletic competition with cultural celebration — and all for a good cause.
The event features:
High-energy 3v3 matches spotlighting women athletes 18+
Live Mariachi music & Latinx cultural pride
Local food vendors & community resource tables
Grassroots fundraising: Proceeds support youth sports gear, immigration orgs, and LFP’s year-round programs
“This event really shows what we mean by grassroots equity in action,” says Javana. “We’re celebrating identity, lifting up women’s sports, and directly supporting our community — all at once.”
La Familia Project’s growth has been catalyzed by key partnerships, none more vital than its collaboration with adidas Community Lab — a program that uplifts local leaders driving social change.
“With adidas… their support was the first time we received significant funding to grow our programs,” says Vidal. “That investment gave us the power to create consistency — something grassroots organizations like ours really need.”
For LFP, financial backing isn’t just about expansion. It’s about stability, the kind that creates lasting, generational impact.
For those inspired to get involved, both founders agree: heart comes first.
“My advice is simple — come with love and passion for the mission,” says Vidal. “Everything we do has to come from compassion and understanding.”
Javana adds, “Real change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, consistency, and a willingness to grow alongside the community.”
What’s Next for La Familia Project?
As LFP continues to expand citywide, one thing remains constant: its commitment to culturally responsive, community-rooted care. Whether it’s boxing in schools, mariachi on a soccer field, or healing through art, the organization’s vision is bold and beautifully clear — build family, not just programs.
SACRAMENTO, Calif., September 15, 2025 (Newswire.com)
– As California kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, community leaders are spotlighting the economic contributions of the state’s 800,000 Latino-owned businesses and the challenges many face under rising energy costs and regulations.
Together, Latino entrepreneurs generate more than $100 billion annually and represent nearly one in four business owners in the state. But advocates say those contributions are at risk as small businesses in construction, trucking, food service, and delivery struggle with the added costs of fuel, electricity, and compliance with complex state mandates.
“This Hispanic Heritage Month, honoring Latino businesses must mean more than celebration. It requires action,” said Oscar Garcia, Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Director of Business Development. “State lawmakers should commit to energy, tax, and regulatory policies that give Latino-owned businesses the chance not just to survive, but to grow. Supporting these businesses strengthens families, builds resilient communities, and drives the economy forward.”
For some business owners, the impact is immediate. “My passion for cooking comes from my Mexican roots. But California’s electric vehicle mandates affect me directly,” said Ramiro Alarcón, owner of Cielito Lindo Catering. “My trucks run on gasoline, and switching to electric would be very difficult because charging stations aren’t always available. We ask policymakers to consider us, because too often we are the ones most affected.”
Advocates argue that while Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes culture and tradition, it should also be a moment for policymakers to address barriers that threaten Latino entrepreneurship.
Levanta Tu Voz, a statewide advocacy initiative, is urging Californians to support Latino-owned businesses and press for energy policies that allow these businesses to prosper. To learn more about how California’s energy policies affect small businesses, read the Small Business Fact Sheet and visit levantatuvoz.org.
About Levanta Tu Voz
Levanta Tu Voz (Raise Your Voice) is a program of the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) created to empower voices of the Latino community across California. Efforts to improve air quality and fight climate change are important but will only work if the solutions are affordable for everyone. Even though Latinos will be disproportionately impacted by a rushed energy transition, Latino voices are often absent from discussions on energy and climate issues. WSPA has been working with – and listening to – the Latino community to co-create a program where Latino voices and perspectives can be part of the energy and climate conversation.
Starting Sept. 15, Hispanic Heritage Month brings a flurry of events to the D.C. region that allow the public to discover the cultural impact of the diverse Latino communities. WTOP has rounded up some of our favorites.
WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15 and celebrates all the contributions to culture that Latino and Hispanic people have brought to the American melting pot.
In the D.C. area, there are some events you won’t want to miss! WTOP has rounded up some of our favorites:
DC
Starting Monday, Sept. 15, join the staff at the Juanita E. Thornton Shepherd Park Library in Takoma for a weeklong scavenger hunt. Notable Latin historical figures will be hidden around the library and prizes are in store for those who find them.
At the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, a new exhibit honoring the culture of lowriding cars, “Corazon y vida,” combines the artistic expression of Mexican Americans and the technical understanding of mechanics and car-making. The exhibit opens Sept. 26 and will showcase two classic cars, photos and awards.
For the foodies, enjoy a free 1 ounce snifter of Don Q rum at Cuba Libre in Chinatown when you order their 25th Anniversary Chef’s Tasting Menu all month long. Also, at Amparo Fontina in Dupont Circle, give back to the community at a six-course fundraising dinner on Sept. 24 that benefits at-risk Mayan youth in Mexico — tickets are $175.
Fiesta DC, the annual cultural festival, will take over Pennsylvania Avenue on Sept. 27 and 28. The festival’s purpose is to showcase the diversity and culture of the Latino community in D.C. The festival is free and offers authentic dishes, live music and folk dance performances. There will also be vendors selling handcrafted creations and a parade Sunday down Constitution Avenue featuring a display of the flags from 17 different countries.
On Sept. 27, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery is holding a kid-friendly event, “Fotos y Recuerdos Festival,” with story times from books by Latin authors and arts and crafts in the Kogod Courtyard. The event is free but registration is encouraged.
Maryland
At the Prince George’s Publick Playhouse, performers will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 14 with a celebration for all ages including an art exhibition, live music, dance performances and arts and crafts for kids.
At the College Park Aviation Museum, celebrate Latina women in the aviation field starting with a stunning fly-in by authors who will do meet and greets. The annual event on Saturday, Sept. 27, also offers art, story times and giveaways.
From Sept. 18 through Oct. 9, the AFI Latin American Film Festivalwill celebrate its 36th year of showing Latin American films. Held at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring, the festival will show about 45 films from Latin directors, producers and cinematographers. General admission for all 21 days of the festival is $200, and general admission passes per screening are $15.
Montgomery County’s Hispanic Heritage Month Festivalis being held at Marian Fryer Town Plaza in Wheaton on Oct. 12. Admission is free.
Virginia
An exhibit called “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage through Art“ will put local artists’ work on display at the Loudoun County Government Center in Leesburg. It will feature paintings, photography and mixed media pieces. The exhibit is open from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3. From Monday through Thursday, it’s open 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. On Fridays, it closes a bit earlier at 6 p.m.
The Manassas Latino Festivalis bringing live music, dance and food to the Harris Pavilion in old town on Sept. 27. The festival looks to uplift the contributions of Latin Americans to the community.
At the Arlington Mill Community Center, Arlington’s diverse Latino community will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the “Festival Latinoamericano” on Oct. 3. The free event will showcase art, food and culture with the support of local businesses, chefs and performers.
Fiesta Fairfax in Old Town Square will put Latino culture on display with music, dancing, food and art. The party starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 4. The event is in partnership with the City of Fairfax and takes place at 10415 North St., Fairfax.
Learn the fundamentals of traditional Puerto Rican bomba dancing with Semilla Cultural in Fredericksburg. The introductory class on Oct. 5 welcomes all ages and is $25 per person.
Explore the flavors of Latin cuisine during Restaurante Week throughout Virginia. The weeklong celebration starting Oct. 6 offers special menus and meals at discount, and allows residents to support local Latino-owned restaurants.
WTOP’s Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, 2024, is a time to celebrate the rich and varied cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans, and the contributions that they have made to the United States.
Charlotte Mecklenburg Library is hosting some free events in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Please make sure to follow each link, below, to learn all the details and to register, if required.
This crafting project is inspired by the beautiful artwork of iconic Hispanic artist Frida Kahlo. We will create colorful self-portraits borrowing from Kahlo’s unique style, while making them our own.
Supplies will be provided- just bring your creativity and dress for mess.
Hey teens—come get your hands messy (in the best way possible)! This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re inviting ages 12–18 to a FREE flour tortilla-making workshop at the library.
You’ll learn how to make warm, delicious flour tortillas from scratch—just like abuela would. Along the way, you’ll hear the stories and traditions behind this staple of Hispanic cuisine, discover regional twists, and even pick up a few Spanish food terms to impress your friends.
No experience? No problem. We’ll walk you through every step, from mixing the dough to flipping the perfect tortilla. You’ll get:
Hands-on cooking skills you can use at home
A taste of culture and history
Fun, friends, and free food (yes, you get to eat what you make!)
Duolingo Live! Spanish Thursday, September 30, 2025 4:15 to 5 p.m. Steele Creek Library 13620 Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC Free Ages 11-18
Practice your Spanish language skills in a fun, interactive program for Hispanic Heritage Month at the Independence Regional Library.
Participants will practice Spanish through a low-stakes group game facilitated by library staff. It’s Duolingo but without phones!
All Spanish language skill levels welcome.
Learn to make Arepas de Queso Monday, October 6, 2025 3 to 4 p.m. North County Regional Library 16500 Holly Crest Lane, Huntersville, NC Free Ages 3-11
Join us for a fun and tasty cultural experience! Arepas are a traditional food from Colombia and Venezuela, made from corn flour and often filled with cheese. In this hands-on program, kids will learn about the history and importance of arepas in Latin American culture while making their own mini arepas de queso.
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We make every effort to make sure that everything on Charlotte on the Cheap is 100% accurate.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It’s also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
CHICAGO — “The Sriracha Muchacha is me, turned up to eleven!”
Paloma Vargas is a Lucha Libre wrestler who goes by the stage name “The Sriracha Muchacha”! Wrestling professionally for more than 15 years now, Vargas tried to become a ring girl as a young adult but instead was offered a chance to get into the ring herself.
As a young girl, Vargas reminisced how her mother and grandmother would load the car with family and take everyone to see local Lucha Libre matches. This instilled her love for the sport, and she would often fantasize about becoming a pro wrestler.
Today, she wows audiences from local street festivals all the way to the stages of the Goodman Theater with her trusty bottle of sriracha sauce! For Vargas, Lucha Libre wrestling not only allows her to feel like her full self, but also lets her be a positive influence to other women looking for belonging within the world of professional wrestling.
You can follow The Sriracha Muchacha on Instagram.
Ten days after Hurricane Milton and less than a month since Hurricane Helene, Floridians are still in recovery and cleanup mode.
As residents transition from cleanup to repair, what do they need to know right off the bat? What are the resources available? What are the overall do’s and don’ts when it comes to insurance and claims and getting back to normal?
Guests:
State Rep. Jennifer Canady [R], District 50, Lakeland
State Rep. Adam Anderson [R], District 57, Tarpon Springs
October 16, 2024 — For Ona Diaz-Santin, hair care is more than a profession. Much of her childhood was spent in salons owned and staffed by her great-grandmother, grandmother and mother, where her love for hair styling and self-care developed.
For years, the stigmas surrounding curly hair both within and outside her own community made Ona inclined to wear her hair straight during much of her early life, until on the day of her high school graduation, her blow dryer broke, leaving her with no option but to sport her natural curls.
“Everyone was like ‘Oh my God, you permed your hair?’ and I [thought] wow – people think I have straight hair.”
As an Afro-Latina with textured curls, hair holds a deep personal meaning for Ona. A term often thrown around in the Latinx community to describe curly and textured hair is “pelo malo,” which translates to “bad hair.” It’s often made to emphasize the antiquated perception that natural hair is unprofessional, unclean and overall undesirable. Thus, many Latinx people with textured hair straighten their curls with heat or chemical treatments.
Ona has worked extensively to master curly hair care. For the past seven years, she’s been the owner of 5 Salon and Spa in Fort Lee, New Jersey and has been refining her skill in the styling industry for nearly three decades. Dubbed “The Hair Saint” by her regulars, Ona’s clientele ranges from celebrities like Diana-Maria Rivas and Dr. Oz to now-adults in her community whose hair she’s been cutting since they were children.
“I don’t take it lightly. They can go anywhere else around the world, and they choose to come here,” she says.
While Ona’s specialty is curly hair, she has built up an eclectic mix of talented stylists, manicurists, masseuses and more with the intention of creating an inclusive, empowering space where anyone can feel pampered and beautiful.
The three-generation legacy of hardworking women that Ona comes from, combined with her industry expertise and personal experience, has made her a well-known figure in her own community and beyond. Her mission of empowerment through natural beauty drives her to continue her work and encourages her to look toward the more inclusive future she aims to help create.
“I get glimpses of my daughter, and I’m like, wow, she is strongI think that’s what’s been passed down. That’s important because I got to pass the torch down at some point.”
Regardless of hair type, Ona and her team at 5 Salon and Spa welcome all – and in the true tradition of a Dominican peluqueria, you’ll be greeted with a big smile, celebrity chisme and, of course, a cafecito.
Keep up with Ona and 5 Salon and Spa on their website and her Instagram, @_thehairsaint.
On the inside of La Tejana in D.C., you’d see a chorus of women cooking Michelin-grade breakfast tacos in a tiny kitchen and homages to co-owner Ana-Maria Jaramillo’s Tex-Mex roots.
WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic communities across the D.C. region.
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From Texas to the nation’s capital: La Tejana brings a taste of Hispanic traditions to DC
From the outside, La Tejana in D.C.’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood is inconspicuously humble — from its windowsill and stool eatery to the retro font on its banner. But, on the inside, you’d see a chorus of women cooking Michelin-grade breakfast tacos in a tiny kitchen and homages to co-owner Ana-Maria Jaramillo’s Tex-Mex roots.
Jaramillo — the daughter of Colombian immigrants — grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, before eventually moving a bit north to the border town of McAllen, Texas.
“(It’s) the birthplace of the breakfast taco. It’s like the Mecca of Tex-Mex,” she told WTOP.
During a visit to her hometown, Jaramillo took her now-husband and coworker, Takoma Park-native Gus May, to one of her all-time favorite breakfast taco joints.
“He takes a bite, and he’s like, ‘Oh my god. What is this? I have never had a tortilla like this. I have never had eggs like this,’” she recalled. “He was like, ‘We don’t have anything like this in D.C. If you and I stay together … and you end up moving to D.C., we have to open up a breakfast taco shop.’”
In August of 2022, Ana-Maria Jaramillo and Gus May opened up their first brick-and-mortar location at 3211 Mt. Pleasant St. NW.
(Courtesy Jason Garza)
Courtesy Jason Garza
La Tejana co-owner Ana-Maria Jaramillo (right) talks with front-of-house employees Alexis Urrutia Quintanilla (left) and Kathy Zelaya .
(center)
center
On the inside of La Tejana is a chorus of women cooking Michelin-grade breakfast tacos in a tiny kitchen.
(WTOP/Ciara Wells)
WTOP/Ciara Wells
The tortilleros in the La Tejana kitchen make nearly 6,000 tortillas a week, according to co-owner Ana-Maria Jaramillo.
(WTOP/Ciara Wells)
WTOP/Ciara Wells
The tacos vary from vegan and vegetarian options to the perfect meal for meat-lovers.
(WTOP/Ciara Wells)
WTOP/Ciara Wells
The breakfast tacos come with a flight of side salsitas — cilantro crema, charred tomato and the à la carte avocado tomatillo and habanero salsa.
(WTOP/Ciara Wells)
WTOP/Ciara Wells
Its prices range from one taco for $4.15, three for $13 and six for $24.
(WTOP/Ciara Wells)
WTOP/Ciara Wells
A few years later, they were growing the business from their front door step — literally. The two began their journey doing pop-ups and selling and delivering fresh tortillas during the pandemic.
“I don’t know how, it became this cult thing. Very quickly, everybody was ordering via (direct messages). We were selling 700 tortillas in one day, all over D.C. — not making money!” she said. “We were there, waking up at 3 a.m., making 700 tortillas in our apartment … driving all over, dropping them off, and doing it again the next weekend.”
From there, the business’ cult following led to the couple selling out pop-up after pop-up. As its clientele base grew, they knew they needed to think bigger.
“These are uncomplicated, unfussy bundles of joy that don’t take reservations or require any other kind of long-term planning,” the Michelin guide said of the restaurant.
Mentions of McAllen and Mexico blanket the walls alongside a simplistic menu touting only eight options featuring cheesy scrambled eggs, a slew of sauces, veggies and meats reflecting core Tex-Mex staples. The tacos vary from vegan and vegetarian options to the perfect meals for meat-lovers. They also come with a flight of side salsitas — cilantro crema, charred tomato, as well as the à la carte avocado tomatillo and habanero salsa.
Its prices range from one taco for $4.15, three for $13 and six for $24.
‘Putting out fires’
La Tejana just celebrated its two-year anniversary and lines around the block prove the restaurant has cemented itself in the D.C. foodie scene.
Although she’s incredibly grateful for their success, Jaramillo said it didn’t come without challenges.
“Half of the responsibility you have as a restaurant owner is putting out fires,” she said. “Besides the financial piece — that’s one part of running a restaurant — it’s also finding an amazing team that respects you and respects the vision.”
On top of limiting employee turnover by paying livable wages, Jaramillo said operating a small business was at times “virtually impossible” with roadblocks put in their way by the D.C. government.
“The amount of times I had to call DDOT and ask about permitting the sidewalk just to be able to get a streatery out there. That was like a six to eight month process, because nothing online was working,” she said. “If I’m having a hard time understanding how to open or apply for a grant, can you imagine how (people with less proficient English language skills) are struggling?”
“Hispanic Heritage Month, to me, really is an opportunity to support, financially, all of the businesses that are owned and operated by Latin people in this community. I think there’s not a lot of emphasis on the fact that immigrants, specifically Latin American immigrants, carry the restaurant industry on their backs every single day,” she said. “I think if every Latino worker were to quit, every restaurant would shut down in this country.”
Bolstering their business were the customers (both new and old) that stuck by them over the last two years. Jaramillo said when the couple started the pop-up in their neighborhood, they often saw recurring customers who would come back every weekend.
“I’ve never felt that in any neighborhood that I’ve lived in my life, and I think just being part of that, I was like, ‘Gus, there’s no other place that we can open a brick and mortar. It has to be in our neighborhood. This is where we live. This is where we have roots,’” she said.
“When this place became available, it was like a no-brainer. Was the kitchen too small? Sure, but, for us, it’s worth the sacrifice to be able to be part of the community here,” she added.
What’s next?
Outside of the restaurant, Jaramillo works full-time as a pediatric speech pathologist and part-time as an adjunct professor at George Washington University in the college’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
She said her husband was the one with the restaurant industry skills but her “dream was to always have a clinic and serve the immigrant population in the DMV.”
At her clinic, Voz Speech Therapy, she works with bilingual children that have physical and mental deficiencies and focuses on dropping the barrier between access to health care and the local immigrant community.
“When La Tejana was still a pop-up, and I still kind of had a grip on things … it seemed kind of seamless for me to open the clinic. It’s been really, really challenging juggling both of my lives,” Jaramillo said.
Even though she wears multiple hats, Jaramillo still has her eyes on the next thing for the restaurant. After adding a cocktail bar to its upstairs space earlier this year, La Tejana has plans to expand to a second location.
Their tortilleros in the kitchen make nearly 6,000 tortillas a week, according to Jaramillo, but they have no plans to return to their original format of selling just tortillas because, she said, “we can’t keep up with the demands, and the tortilleros can’t work any harder.”
Where they’ll be opening their next location is still up in the air, but Jaramillo said one thing they’ll definitely need is a bigger kitchen.
“We want people all over D.C. to have access to (our tacos),” she said.
“The goal is just to continue to feed the city with the best, most legit, authentic, Tex-Mex breakfast tacos that you can get, and filling people with happiness. … We’re really proud of what we do at La Tejana every day,” Jaramillo added.
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DENVER — Whether it’s at a rooftop party, a nightclub, or Colorado’s beautiful open spaces, DJs Derek Uribe, Sebastian Vega and Mauricio Diaz are on a mission to move people with their music.
Denver7
“Just being able to let people release themselves and dance as hard as they want,” Uribe said.
All are members of the DJ collective “La Mina” — founded by DJs Josh Moran and Margie Gamez.
Denver7
“We thought La Mina, which means “the mine” in Spanish, was a perfect name for this (because) there are so many unearthed gems in Colorado that just don’t have the means to move their musical careers,” Moran said.
Like a label, “La Mina” helps promote its artists, but it also provides equipment sharing and mentoring opportunities.
Sebastian Vega, who grew up in Colombia, found a lot of competition when he moved to Denver.
Denver7
“There’s a lot of closed doors out here, unfortunately, so when you meet people like La Mina, it really helps, they help you showcase,” Vega said.
Mauricio Diaz recently moved to Denver from Mexico, leaving behind his family. As a young artist, he enjoys collaborating with more experienced DJs.
Denver7
“I don’t know everything about the music, about DJing, so I’m pretty sure in the community I’m going to find another person, another DJ with more experience,” Diaz said.
Gamez and Moran, who are both from Ecuador, have a special connection to Latin American talent. But La Mina is all about bringing people of all backgrounds together. Uribe said his favorite type of music event is something he learned about from artists from Oceania.
“We call it a bush doof — that’s a New Zealand or Australian term for partying… just outside the city limits to electronic music until sunrise,” Uribe said.
DJ collective in Denver provides mentorship and financial support for artists
From the city limits to beyond, Gamez is on a mission to bring electronic music out of the clubs and into the open, to make it appropriate for all ages, and welcoming to all backgrounds.
“It’s in our core, and it brings people together, that’s what music does,” Gamez said.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Experts say one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime — that’s one person every 12 minutes in the U.S.
The two greatest risk factors of breast cancer are being female and getting older. It’s estimated that 168,000 women in the U.S have breast cancer, and to be clear, it’s not just a woman-only disease. An estimated 2,790 men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, and about 530 are expected to die from the disease.
Also, Black women in the U.S. are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.
How can we reverse those numbers and trends?
Guests:
Mayor Trish Pfeiffer, Bartow
Ashley Lloyd, Director, Breast Cancer Foundation of Central Florida
Dr. Hatem Soliman, Medical & Breast Oncologist, Moffitt Cancer Center
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
As a finance professional and fellow Latina entrepreneur, I know firsthand that the path to financial independence isn’t just about numbers; It’s about balancing everything that makes you human while running a business. Your vision, story and overcoming possible financial traumas that many face are part of the mix.
What matters is asking the right questions, creating your own path and sharing what you’ve learned with others so we can set up a new status quo and grow as a community. So, what insights could successful Hispanic founders and CEOs give you to support your path to financial growth?
We all have stories to tell — so it’s time we bring that to our businesses. In fact, this is exactly what Norma Fabian Newton, founder of Fabian Flores, shares as a key component to her success: “One insight I would give other entrepreneurs is to embrace storytelling. Authentic storytelling is the key to differentiation, establishing yourself as a thought leader and creating connections.”
Newton started her business to amplify Latino stories within the traditional book publishing industry and contribute to creating more equity in the literary landscape. But storytelling is essential, even if you are not looking to become an author or public speaker. It plays a role in how you relate to your business, employees, clients and, ultimately, your money. Embracing our voice is an inevitable part of success.
Test your market and invest in yourself
The path to financial growth is more than luck. It is about thinking, strategizing, testing and adjusting. Catarina Rivera, the founder of Blindish Latina LLC, gives that exact insight as a key to her success. She says, “First test your offering in the marketplace. Do people want to buy your offer? Once you have those foundational pieces in place, invest in yourself.”
Rivera built her business from her personal journey with disability, and through public speaking and DEIA consulting, she aims to smash stigmas and foster more inclusive workplaces.
As Hispanic entrepreneurs, we sometimes hesitate to share our creations with the world or believe we can do it all ourselves. But, as Rivera noted, combining both takes us further — and faster. “I have a business coach, brand partnerships coach, therapist, a team of part-time contractors, a bookkeeping firm and a CPA. It’s important to invest in yourself in the most impactful ways when starting your business.”
Diversify your revenue streams and take control
Taimi Soto, CEO of Creativ Hous, journalist and entrepreneur, says, “We can’t put all our eggs in one basket. I learned that to have control over my future and ensure stability, I needed to diversify my income streams. That’s how I started my PR agency and joined the beauty products industry. You have to step out of your comfort zone and create multiple sources of income.”
She learned this lesson after experiencing an unexpected layoff, which made her realize the importance of diversifying. That decision led her to create a new business and incorporate beauty entrepreneurship into her portfolio. The truth is: If you want financial stability, relying on just one revenue stream is not sustainable. Whether you diversify with different products or services within your company or build multiple revenue streams, having options is critical.
Know when to shift and take care of your well-being
Juan Galán, CEO of IG Creator Academy, began his entrepreneurial journey as a content creator, aiming to become an influencer. Along the way, he realized that what he was building was bigger than just content, it was a business. However, the transition to becoming a full-fledged business owner and CEO came with its own challenges.
He emphasizes the importance of knowing when to make these shifts and prioritizing your well-being in the process. He says, “You have to take care of your mental health, define the lifestyle you want and not get caught up in the pressure to scale if it doesn’t align with your goals.”
Get curious and don’t stop learning
Karina Martinez, founder of DRAFTED, shares a critical insight for success while building the first Latina sports media company: “The best leaders are the most curious students, constantly learning and evolving. In the early stages of building a company, staying endlessly inquisitive is crucial — read widely, listen to podcasts, attend seminars and research those you admire.”
Curiosity and continuous learning are often overlooked by new entrepreneurs, who may be consumed by the day-to-day tasks of running a business. But to grow, you must learn constantly. This will pull you out of setbacks and open up new strategies for your business, helping you get closer to your goals.
Uplift others along the way
Bianca Alba, founder of This Latina Travels, launched her platform with a mission to inspire women of color to explore the world. For Alba, this journey is about creating a supportive community where we uplift one another. “If we stopped seeing each other as competition, I truly believe all our businesses would succeed. We each bring something new to the table,” she says.
And I wholeheartedly agree with her. We often believe business and entrepreneurship take us far away from our values, but as Hispanic entrepreneurs, our identity and the values we carry from our community — such as unity and uplifting one another — are what truly make us grow stronger.
Nadine Ramos, CEO and founder of Lasio and Blessed Bananas, shares that saying yes to those new challenges is what has taken her to where she is now: “Become the type of person who says ‘yes’ to new challenges. When I say yes to challenges, I’m really saying yes to myself, to growth and to betting on myself.”
Ramos first introduced Brazilian keratin treatments to the U.S. with her business with no financial support, connections or experience and later founded her second company, Blessed Bananas, to push the boundaries of haircare by blending nature and science with banana oil-based products. For Ramos, embracing new challenges is key to unlocking growth and arriving where you want to go.
J. Alex Kelly currently leads FloridaCommerce as Florida’s Secretary of Commerce.
Prior to his appointment, Kelly held the deputy chief of staff role in the Governor’s Office since April 2021.
Kelly has an extensive background and expertise in education and economic development having served as the vice president for the Foundation of Excellence in Education and the chief of staff to then-Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran in 2019.
In total, Kelly held roles in the Florida House of Representatives on the three occasions and in the Florida Senate — including staff director for the Redistricting Committee in the Florida House of Representatives and chief analyst for the House’s Select Policy Council on Strategic and Economic Planning.
He served as the chief of staff for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, and legislative affairs director at the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.
Kelly earned both a bachelor’s degree in political science from York University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Florida.
Ask the average Floridian what our economy driver is and you’ll probably hear the word “tourism,” and while tourism does make up a significant part of our economy, it’s not the only component.
The Sunshine State, which has been growing in population for years, is home to a robust agricultural industry.
From well-known products like Florida citrus, strawberries, and tomatoes, there are also other products that may not get the same level of attention, such as potatoes, corn, cabbage, and even ferns.
We take a look at Florida’s farming industry, the products that are being harvested and exported to other states and countries, and the balance struck between agriculture and development.
Guests:
State Sen. Jay Collins [R], District 14, Tampa
Scott Angle, Senior Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Florida
A small taco stand on the corner of 7th Street and Termino Avenue that has become a favorite may soon be serving its last taco in Long Beach due to the city’s new street vendor rules.
Lines wrap around the block for the family-run and operated taco stand, Tacos Uziel. Owners Adriana Mancia and Luiz Perez said they started the taco stand for their son’s future.
“My taqueria is called Taco Uziel thanks to my son,” said Mancia. “We started this business for his future, so he won’t have to suffer as much as we had to.”
The young couple migrated separately from Oaxaca but met in Southern California as they worked for other stands around Los Angeles.
“I learned to cook little by little,” said Perez.
The training paid off with rave reviews of the stand’s el pastor and carne asada tacos.
“Sometimes the lines go all the way to the driveway back here, but we will stand in line because it’s that good,” said Chris Marquis, who lives in Long Beach and frequents Taco Uziel. “Hopefully they stay in Long Beach.”
The smell coming from the charcoal grill is enticing enough for drivers passing by to make a pitstop.
“I can smell the food from my car and I had to stop here,” said Donna Aragon, who lives in Long Beach and came for the first time with her husband to taste the tacos.
“It makes you hungry, even if you’re not,” said Keith Aragon.
Despite the taco stand’s popularity, Long Beach’s new vendor rules may force the stand to move.
“We don’t know how much longer we have here,” said Mancia.
Long Beach has been cracking down on unpermitted stands after working for months to educate owners on the new rules passed in February.
The city has even waived the cost of permits as well as licenses and is giving away 40 pre-approved carts that are now required.
To qualify for those carts you have to live in Long Beach.
The couple lives in Compton and said the permit process is difficult to understand.
“It’s very difficult to get permits because there are a lot of regulations for street vendors,” said Mancia,
The owners say if the city forces them to move, they’ll leave Long Beach for another city with more lenient rules.
Customers say it would be a big loss to Long Beach, not just the food, but the dream of a small family to give their 4-year-old a brighter future.
“If they move, we will follow,” said customer Maria Marquis. “Tell me where they are. Instead of walking over, we will drive over, whatever it needs to be.”
PHOENIX, September 19, 2024 (Newswire.com)
– The Academy of Math and Science (AMS) Schools celebrate their students and community with Hispanic Heritage Month events across six Arizona campuses.
Earlier this month, the AMS South Mountain campus kicked off the celebrations with two back-to-back events partnering with local vendors, Mariachi and Folklorico groups, and Phoenix Rising. Past events have also included Loteria nights at the AMS Desert Sky and AMS Peoria Advanced campuses.
AMS invites all members of the community to join our AMS Flower, AMS Camelback, and Math and Science Success Academy (MASSA) Hispanic Heritage events:
AMS Flower Loteria Night:
Date: Friday, Sept. 20
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: 3335 W Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85017
AMS Camelback Hispanic Heritage Night:
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 25
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: 6633 W Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85033
MASSA Hispanic Heritage Night:
Date: Friday, Sept. 27
Time: 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: 434 W Lerdo Rd., Tucson, AZ 85706
The public is also invited to the Academies of Math and Science Trunk or Treats and Fall Festivals. Please see all current and future public events here: https://enrollams.org/events/.
For media inquiries, press credentials or to partner with AMS at a future event, please contact:
Caylee Migliorini, VP of Marketing Academies of Math & Science | AMS Impact Group 3002 S Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282 C: (623) 606-7278 O: (602) 661-7007 ext. 11061 www.amsschools.org
The Mexican Heritage Plaza, home of the School of Arts and Culture and gateway to East San Jose, is now 25 years old.
As the cultural center marks another milestone, new leadership is taking it to the next level.
The center sits on six acres on the same property where Cesar Chavez held his first grape boycott outside the old Safeway. Now it’s home to a slew of community programs, including free or low-cost music and art classes for children.
Pete Carrillo and Fernando Zazueta were part of a team that founded the plaza 25 years ago. They had to fight skeptics, their own community members and some inside city hall who didn’t believe such a center should be on the east side.
“There’s no way to describe the pride that we all feel for what we ultimately achieved,” Zazueta said.
It would eventually become the first redevelopment project outside of San Jose’s downtown corridor.
Together, the Mexican Heritage Corporation raised $3 million in seed money for the idea – an idea that’s now become a beacon.
“It exceeds anything that we had planned,” Zazueta said.
The plaza still hosts weddings, concerts and fundraisers.
“I am so proud of this facility,” Carrillo said. “Even more proud that my daughter got married here.”
New leadership is taking the business plan to the next level, as the School of Arts and Culture. They’ve purchased the building across the street on Alum Rock Avenue. It will house a new health center, a community café and a black box theatre – all in the heart of the Mayfair community.
“We also recognize that Mayfair has gone through advanced stages of gentrification and if we are not informing to build the environment, we are part of the problem,” co-executive director Jessica Paz-Cedillos said.
Paz-Cedillos said it’s not just about cultural programming anymore. It’s about standing up for the neighborhood, about owning the moment, and reminding everyone it can be done.
“If we really want to address the challenges of our community, we need to be able to work at the systemic level, which means addressing policies, championing laws and regulations that ensure that our community does have access to assets like the plaza,” Paz-Cedillos said.
Thirty-four years after coming to the U.S., Jackie Reyes-Yanes is the director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, the outreach arm of city hall, overseeing a dozen community affairs offices.
WTOP celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, with stories spotlighting the contributions, culture and accomplishments of Hispanic people and places across the D.C. region.
Jackie Reyes-Yanes, director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, said she became a point person for the Latino community, who would come to her with issues that weren’t being addressed.(WTOP/Shayna Estulin)
Jackie Reyes-Yanes, director of the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, said she became a point person for the Latino community, who would come to her with issues that weren’t being addressed.(WTOP/Shayna Estulin)
If Jackie Reyes-Yanes could talk to her younger self, newly arrived in D.C. from El Salvador, she would tell Little Jackie, who didn’t speak any English: “This is the best city in the world if you want to become somebody. I wouldn’t have these opportunities back home.”
Reyes-Yanes fell into politics. She started as a single mother of three, advocating for better schools. From there, she was hired to work as a liaison to Ward 1 — which has a large Hispanic population — under then D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and his administration from 2007 to 2011.
Despite going into politics to fix education, she said she soon became a point person for the Latino community, who would come to her with issues that weren’t being addressed.
“When COVID hit, it was an eye opener,” she said.
She was the director of Latino Affairs under Mayor Muriel Bowser when the pandemic broke out. When the first Latino person died, he didn’t get into the ambulance because he lacked documentation, Reyes-Yanes said.
“And the mayor said, ‘We have a problem,’” she said.
Soon after, Reyes-Yanes’s office began working round the clock on education and health campaigns and helping Latinos with rental and housing assistance through the pandemic’s economic upheaval.
While things have greatly improved for the Latino community in D.C. since her arrival in 1990 — when her lack of English was treated like a disability at school — Reyes-Yanes said more work needs to be done. Some of the major issues that needs to be addressed are housing, immigration, jobs, schools and integrating newcomers into the city.
With around 80,000 Hispanic people living in D.C., Reyes-Yanes said the community is the backbone of the city and vital to its economy.
“If you go into a restaurant, go into the kitchen. Who’s cooking?” she said. “If you see the landscaping, who are the people doing the landscaping? If you see a construction company, and you go outside, who’s doing the construction?”
Coming to this country young also meant Reyes-Yanes was never put into a cultural box. She was open to embracing different communities.
“I love Ethiopian food. I love Mexican food,” she said, “I love culture, and I love to learn.”
Now, as director of community affairs, she oversees education campaigns in multiple languages, packaging the mayor’s policies in culturally sensitive and easy to understand ways for various communities.
“I just want to make sure that everybody who wants to prosper in Washington, D.C., they have the ways how to do it,” she said.
She’s the first person from the Latino community to ever be appointed to that role.
She told WTOP that the sensitivity forged growing up in a vulnerable population is a responsibility she now carries to help all vulnerable populations, serving as a bridge between the mayor and the diverse mosaic that is the city.
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Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in the Bay Area are well underway.
Sept. 16 marks the day the Mexican people rose up and took up arms to fight for independence from Spain. The moment is known as El Grito – the cry of Dolores – and it was heard throughout downtown San Jose on Sunday.
Earlier in the day, San Jose hosted Fiestas Patrias filled with music, dancing and charros on horses.
In San Francisco, there was a flag-raising ceremony along with food and music. Next Saturday, the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District will continue the celebration with the annual Fiesta de las Americas.
Redwood City also celebrated Mexican independence and the contributions of other Latin American countries as well.
NBC Bay Area kicked off its own celebration with mariachi music in studio with the son of strawberry farmers Omar Alejandro. While he’s backed up Andrea Bocelli, these days you’ll find him using social media to bridge generations of families through music.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
As the Hispanic population continues to grow in Florida, we take a look at how state, county and local communities are working to integrate and celebrate this growing population.
Guests:
Martha Santiago [R], District 4, Polk County Commission
Anthony Suárez, attorney / former Florida State Representative (1999-2000)
