Finding Community: Katherine's Journey from Colombia to Lynn, Massachusetts

Katherine Gravenhorst, a 22-year-old economics major at UMass Boston, narrates her journey from Valledupar, Colombia to Lynn, Massachusetts. Despite loving life in Colombia, Katherine moved to the U.S. after not receiving college scholarships. She talks about living with her aunt and cousins, feeling isolated, and struggling to find a sense of belonging in a new country. Through college and programs like La Vida and the Latino Leadership Program, Katherine discovers the importance of building supportive communities.

Produced by Heloiza Barbosa and Katheryn Gravenhorst

Edited by Heloiza Barbosa

Music and MIx by Paulo Pinheiro

Eileen Ortega's Story: Exploitation and Deportation

In this episode of 'Boston Stories and Numbers,' demographer Phil Granberry introduces the new audio series 'Emerging Latino Voices: Building Boston's Future,' focusing on the experiences of four Latino students at UMass Boston.

Eileen Ortega, a junior psychology major who moved from Laurel, Mississippi, shares her personal story. Narrating her family's challenges as Mexican immigrants under the U.S. Guest Worker Visa Program (H-2B Visa). Eileen recounts a 2008 immigration raid at Howard Industries that drastically affected her family. Through research and interviews, Eileen illustrates the harsh conditions faced by her parents and many other immigrant workers, emphasizing the exploitation within visa programs and the severe consequences of mass deportation. This episode highlights the resilience of immigrant communities amidst systemic challenges.

00:00 Introduction to Boston Stories and Numbers

00:19 Introducing Emerging Latino Voices

01:16 Eileen Ortega's Journey Begins

02:45 Life in Laurel, Mississippi

03:22 The Immigration Raid of 2008

04:29 Struggles and Resilience Post-Raid

12:50 The Labor Exploitation of Mexican workers from Bracero to H-2B Program

28:22 Boston: A New Beginning for Eileen

 Reflections on modern slavery

In this episode you will meet David Camacho. David is an energetic 18 years old resident of East Boston. He is always smiling and bouncing from one activity to another. Heloiza interviewed David, and he shared with her the most mortifying story of the loss of his father. At such a young age, he has experienced unimaginable pain and violence. David, his mother and older brother left Colombia and arrived in Boston seeking refuge. David promised  himself that no matter what, he would be happy just like his dad was. 

David is one of 9,154 Colombians living in Boston. In East Boston, where his home is, Latinos make up more than half of the population. Right now, he is one of the 6.6 percent of Bostonians working in a food prep or service job, and he takes the T to his job and school, along with 27 percent of the city’s residents. One day David hopes to be part of the 8 percent of the city’s population that works in finance. His dream for the future is that he will  join the 52 percent of Bostonians that hold a Bachelor’s degree. His name is David Mutis Camacho, he is 18 years old, and he is the future of Boston.

Produced  and hosted by Heloiza Barbosa

Interview edited by Colleen Martin

Music Score and sound design by Paulo Pinheiro

In January of 2023, Heloiza Barbosa, the audio producer of this project, went to the Boston International High School, dedicated to attending the recently arrived immigrant youth in the city of Boston who have limited English proficiency or some gaps in their formal schooling. There, Heloiza met a group of 9 seniors who were in the midst of applying for college. She recorded them reading their college essays. She also gave each one a recorder and asked them to capture sounds of their lives.  What you will hear in the episode are five very moving audio essays that infuse our spirit with imagination and hope for the future of Boston. 

But, you can also also appreciate individually all the 9 essays by watching the beautifully produced audiograms. Click in the image to watch and listen. Enjoy!

Produced by Heloiza Barbosa

Hosted by Phill Granberry

Music score and sound Design by Paulo Pinheiro

This is an audio-diary story recorded by the soon-to-be 15 year old, Chrisnel Peña. Chrisnel is a born bostonian, she is a freshmen at  the John D O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, and she self identifies as a Latina teen. Chrisnel recorded for three weeks her life. She talks about her neighborhood, Roxbury. She takes us inside her school conversations, and she shares with us the intimacy and stress of planning a quinceanera party.

Did you know that 5.6% of Boston's population is from the Dominican Republic? Besides Dominicans, there are plenty of other Hispanic nationalities living in Boston today, meaning there's plenty of other girls planning and dreaming of their quinceanera party. This means a lot of jobs and a lot of money goes into the city's economy.

Produced by Heloiza Barbosa

Audio captured by Chrisnel Peña

Music score and sound Design by Paulo Pinheiro