Hella Latin@

Irving Hernandez is a Dreamer from the border region of San Diego, California. Arriving to the United States at the age of 6, he persevered through various barriers and ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelors in Aerospace Engineering. Currently, Irving is a manager at an immigration law firm and an activist in the DACA movement. He has been widely interviewed by local, national, and international media outlets about his experience being a DACA recipient in a border region. He also served as a guest editor of The Guardian and has helped shape the narrative about Border Dreamers, deepening an understanding of what it means to live in the border region as a Dreamer. In this episode, he shares his story and the realities of the immigration system in the United States.

Connect with Irving on LinkedIn and read more about his story here.

For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Ana Gabriela López is a Guatemalan-American Social Impact Founder, Designer and Latina in tech living in Los Angeles, CA. She immigrated at the age of 11 and worked hard to make the most of her new opportunities in the US. 

Her grit and love of personal growth earned her a business development role at LinkedIn and the opportunity to make a difference for her home country through the work of her social impact business, Chica Mala. 

Chica Mala is defined by a passion to commit to conscious and impactful consumerism. Ana Gabriela partners with over 70 artisans from rural Guatemala to energize small economies specializing in handmade one of a kind clothing. These artisans incorporate the rich Mayan weaving traditions and designs into beautiful finished home goods and lifestyle products. Chica Mala directly contributes to the livelihood and sustainability of the indigenous communities whose jobs are at risk to fast fashion and machine-manufactured goods.

Ana wants to shine a spotlight on the richness of her culture and the tangible beauty of her home – all while creating a business that makes a social, environmental, and educational impact. More at https://shopchicamala.com/.

For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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The Latino community has seen a recent trend in folks loving on our culture and some even going a bit too far with appropriating it. In the words of Bad Bunny (or 'Ben' depending how you feel about him right now), todos quieren ser Latino pero les falta sazon which translates to "everyone wants to be Latino but they're missing the flavor."

On a positive note, we also see an increase in our people stepping into their culture proudly — something that wasn't always common for our U.S. Latinos.

Through one of my favorite partnerships with the Intuit Latinos Network, I met someone who shared their own story and struggle with identity. Meet Antonio Rodriguez, who joined Hella Latin@ to talk about how it wasn't always "cool" to be Latino. Growing up in Texas in the 70s, Antonio said being Latino wasn't celebrated, it wasn't a trend in media/entertainment and it wasn't something he took pride in. Instead, he was taught to speak English and to act American as possible.

"I could hide Spanish but I couldn't hide my brown skin."

Tune in to hear from Antonio, a 2nd generation Mexican-American on his dad’s side and 4th generation Tejano on his Mom's side, as he shares his story of owning and embracing his Latinidad.

For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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I'm joined by two incredible people behind 3Pas Studios, the global multi-platform entertainment company co-founded by the biggest Latino actor in the world Eugenio Derbez and his award-winning producing partner Ben Odell. With its focus on heart, humor, and humanity, 3Pas stories are experienced by fans around the world through film, television, and audio in both English and Spanish. They’re the creators behind Overboard, How to Be a Latin Lover, Acapulco, and De Viaje Con Los Derbez.  

Meet Steven Wolfe Pereira, the Chief Business Officer of 3Pas Studios, Co-Founder and Chairman of Encantos PBC and currently serves as a board director of the Latino Community Foundation, Save the Children, and Whalar. From Tufts University to MIT’s Sloan School of Management to Stanford University’s Directors’ Consortium — Steven never forgets his roots. He's a proud Dominican-American, born and raised in New York.

I'm also joined by 3Pas co-founder, CEO, and long-time award-winning producer, Benjamin Odell. In television, Benjamin is executive producer of the award winning Apple series, Acapulco, and Emmy award winning unscripted Amazon show, LOL. Prior projects include The Valet, How to be a Latin Lover and Overboard. Benjamin has spent most of his career writing, producing and amplifying Latino and Bilingual content. From Colombia to Spain to LA and Miami, Benjamin is set on putting the culture at the forefront of mainstream media through storytelling.

Learn more about 3Pas Studios and the incredible team here. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Ruben Rojas is a Colombian-American artist, fashion designer, podcaster, and activist. In 2013, he traded in his suit for a paint brush and began transforming blank walls into unique empowering messages that today are uplifting communities and challenging the public to create new dialogues. For Ruben, love isn’t a word but rather a way of life and a way to change the world. Through his ‘love’ artwork, Ruben encourages people to live through love actively, to participate in a ripple effect of positivity, and to love themselves and care for each other. Ruben’s ‘Life Through Love’ message started with his murals.

In our current climate of chaos, division, and uncertainty, his artwork is a supercritical reminder that love is a powerful verb; choosing to live through love can transcend labels, bring people together, and break down stigmas. From France to Florida to California, Ruben Rojas’ vibrant murals not only inspire viewers to dream hard, live in joy, and love big but they also beautify gray urban spaces. View his Most Popular LA Street Art & Sculptures.

Ruben’s work is also found in surprising places. Putting his philosophy of love to the test, he worked with inmates at Lancaster state prison in 2018 to create a Ruben Rojas-style mural with the message “Forgive/Forgiven.”

In 2018, Ruben was painting his “Love Yourself” mural in Sherman Oaks and realized his hand-written ‘love’ would have just as much impact printed on a t-shirt. After posting the mural and accompanying ‘love’ t-shirt, he ended up selling 100 shirts, sparking a pivot to start a mission-driven clothing brand and have been worn recently by talent including Paris Hilton, Snoop Dogg, Cedric the Entertainer, members of NFL’s LA Rams, and more.

In this episode, you'll hear about Ruben's journey in stepping out of his suit, and completely into his art that's deeply rooted in love. His story is just another reminder that taking the "non-traditional" career route can bring success and happiness, too.

Visit RubenRojas.com and follow on Instagram and Twitter. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Meet Rubén Darío Villa, a first-generation Mexican-American Chicano artist and Bay Area native who worked for Silicon Valley's most notable tech companies before becoming a full-time entrepreneur. Ruben describes himself as a hella chill designer, artist, community builder, and eternal side hustler.

After being laid off from Google, Ruben found it a blessing in disguise and a chance to hone in on his work as THE Mr. Fuchila. Ruben started Fuchila Freshners years ago selling air fresheners and nostalgic decor that emulate Chicano iconography. Most recently, he’s opened up his own studio and invited the public to an open house that hosted live music, local artists, and food vendors. 

In this episode, Ruben shares his love of art, how he keeps up his work ethic, and what his plans are for his art career now that he is officially out of the tech industry. 

Connect with Ruben via www.mrfuchila.com and @mr.fuchila on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Today I'm talking to Christopher Rivas  — a storyteller, actor, social commentator, podcast host, speaker and filmmaker. He's the writer behind the Brown Enough book and voice behind the Brown Enough and Rubirosa podcast. He's also the creator of "The Real James Bond... Was Dominican!"

Christopher has a breadth of experience amplifying stories that matter and spark conversation, one that we unpack in this episode is his work in creating Brown Enough. He openly talks about his journey with Brownness, identity, and the struggle to be “perfectly” Latinx. 

For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Cloud Kent, a proud Latino with Colombian and Ecuadorian roots 🇪🇨🇨🇴 uses acrylics, oil sticks and spray paints to illustrate his message from the heart. His work embodies the freedom and child-like innocence that connects the audience back to that pure part of themselves.

In the heart of New York City, his morals and his world view were nurtured by his single mother. His creative spark came in the form of art that his father would send from jail. Through an innocent mind, he channeled his empathy from his father as fuel to power and grow his love for art.

In 2015, at the age of 25, Kenneth Jeremiah Gomez underwent life saving open heart surgery. After this rebirth, his heart illustrations gained new meaning full of vulnerability. Calling on the imagery of a superhero’s flight, Cloud Kent emerged as an alter ego to save him from himself - his fears, depression, and emotional incarceration. 

In this episode, he shares about it all — his story, his surgery, his love story with art, and his relationship with vulnerability.

Connect with Cloud Kent via cloud-kent.com and @cloudkent on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Meet Gabriela Milla, an actress, writer, creator and one of the stars in Apple TV+'s hit bilingual comedy series, "Acapulco." Gabriela portrays Isabel, the main character's outspoken, tough, and mischievous love interest that challenges him like a mujeron would. 

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gabriela was immersed in the arts and a melting pot of culture from a very young age. Her Venezuelan mother and Honduran father decided when she was seven years old to make the move back to Honduras, where she spent the rest of her childhood and attended high school. 

In this episode, she shares her beautiful story of owning her bicultural roots, moving back to the U.S., becoming an actress in LA, moving to Miami and going on her own self-love and self-discovery journey. In choosing herself, doors of opportunity opened up — including her role in Acapulco.

I hope this episode serves as a reminder for you to continuously choose and love yourself. When you do, opportunities that align with your purpose can and will open up. 

For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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Lester is a First-Gen Latino professional from LA with years of experience in higher education, non-profit organizations, community development, and more. Son to immigrant parents, the oldest of siblings and cousins, and the unofficial lawyer/event planner/advocate/etc. of la familia, Lester knows the challenges and resilience of navigating a world where you don't know what you don't know and figuring it out as you go.

Lester is passionate about Men's mental health/issues, empowering others, and inspiring Black & Brown communities to thrive. In this episode, he talks about his story and the systemic disrespect Black and Brown first-gen men experience.

Connect with Lester on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram @llarios116. For all Hella Latin@ updates, follow @hellalatinopodcast on Instagram and connect on LinkedIn. More at odalysjasmine.com.

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