My guest today is Maria Luisa Whittingham. Maria Luisa is a business owner, community builder and advocate for social justice. Born in the Bronx, NY, Maria's family moved back to Puerto Rico for Maria's early formative years, then back to NYC when Maria when 10. Maria studied fashion design at Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in NYC and worked in the garment industry for a couple of designers before opening her own shop "Maria Luisa Boutique" in Nyack, NY. She has thoughtfully grown her vibrant Nyack business over the past 32 years and has expanded to 2 stores where she provides unique fair trade, Eco-friendly and handmade items (clothing, footwear, bags, wallets, books and gifts). Maria Luisa has known the wisdom behind collaborating with her fellow merchants in town. She created a scholarship fund for graduating female high school seniors, supports a variety of local non-profit organizations and has been recognized as a 'woman of vision' for the Rockland Women Leaders Hall of Fame, as well as "Rockland County Entrepreneur and Community Activist of the Year" at Social Justice Day. She shares her involvement, thanks to her son, with NAACP, her repeated participation in "Undoing Racism" workshops and her dedication to being a "gatekeeper" for people of color. Check out the show notes for a link to Maria Luisa Boutique and help me support this inspiring woman, who has been an instrumental support to so many!! Enjoy the podcast! Links: Maria Luisa Boutique