Moving to a new country is never easy but imagine moving to a country where you don’t know anyone and you don’t speak the language. Today’s guest, Donaji Mejia, had that experience after moving to Miami from Nicaragua at the age of 11. We discuss what that was like and how she settled into her new life. We also talk about Donaji’s time in the Air Force, delicious Nicaraguan dishes, and her company’s mission of creating powerful branding for businesses owned by women of color.

I'm so excited to share this conversation with my guest Roberta Berredo, a fellow first generation kid AND a fellow native Angeleno. We covered a lot of ground including Xuxa, diversity in the fashion industry, and her upbringing as a Brazilian American kid in Los Angeles. And yes, there's a lot of food talk so grab a snack and enjoy the show!

(*This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 election.)

Today I’m chatting with my friend Sandy Mays, born in Mexico City to a Swiss mother and a Mexican father, her unique background is not one we hear of often. We discuss her upbringing across two continents, her work as a graphic designer and how her language skills opened up professional doors. We also touch on dating in the Latinx community and the traditions she’s passing on to her two children.

(*This episode was recorded prior to the 2020 election.)

SHOW NOTES

Find Sandy Mays via her website.

Many of us have had the experience of wanting to ‘fit in’ someplace, to not be othered. Today’s guest KC Cibran, a first generation Cuban American from Miami, and I both share the experience of distancing ourselves from our culture to fit in. This of course is a privilege for the white passing Latinx. We discuss how we came back to embracing our cultures, and how we (and you!) can use your white privilege to call out the bullshit, especially at the dinner table. We also talk about representation in media and the interior design space. You should see KC’s beautiful apartment decor which was inspired by her abuelita and has been featured in Apartment Therapy. And get ready to crave some delicious Cuban food because we obviously talk about all the tasty dishes you can find at your local Cuban spot.

SHOW NOTES

Find KC Cibran on Instagram: @thecasaverde

You can see her feature in Apartment Therapy here.

Cuban restaurants mentioned:

@MyCubanSpot

Amor Cubano

Also mentioned:

The 15% Pledge

@stoopingnyc

@house.of.esperanza

I’m excited to share today’s conversation with fellow Angeleno, Jessica De Leon. You’ll have to excuse the background noise on this one, we were both surrounded by construction that day. Jessica sheds some much needed light on the Guatemalan community including the delicious food and important heritage sites. We discuss bearing the additional duty as a child to be your family’s English speaking bridge and the long term impact that causes. Jessica also takes us through her journey as a healer and acupuncturist and shares some much needed tips on prioritizing self care during trying times.

SHOW NOTES

Find Jessica De Leon on Instagram: @whenintao

You can purchase her ‘Luna de’ healing balms on her website, When In Tao.

Guatemalan restaurants mentioned:

El Quetzal 2724 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Panaderia Channy 16822 Hawthorne Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260

I had a great time connecting with my fellow bookworm, Daniela Ayuso. A native New Yorker with family roots in Ecuador and Puerto Rico, she opened my eyes to two cultures I hadn’t really been exposed to before. Of course food is a major topic, the ceviche comparison was quite unique. But Daniela also shares her touching experience visiting Ecuador with her grandmother and getting to see her family history up close. We talk about her finding her footing in the publishing industry and how diversity and inclusivity are being addressed. And don’t worry, we have some solid book recommendations for you, too.

SHOW NOTES

Find Daniela Ayuso on Instagram @daniela.ayuso

Books mentioned in this episode (affiliate links):

Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quiñonez

Taina by Ernesto Quiñonez

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Brood by Jackie Polzin

Finding Latinx by Paola Ramos

Take A Stand by Jorge Ramos

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

You Had Me At Hola by Alexis Daria

Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine

Alejandra Owens discusses growing up Mexican-American in Arizona, what it means to be Latinx enough, and taking care of ones mental health. Oh yeah, there’s also an intense declaration of love for flour tortillas and the dissecting of decking out your baby in gold jewelry, bougie abuelita style.

Find Alejandra on Instagram @frijolita and at alejandraowens.com.

Episode note/clarification from Alejandra: When I was discussing the cultural context in which my mom grew up I misspoke when I said she was born as anti miscegenation laws were being challenged. While she was born in 1954 and spent much of her youth in Virginia, my mom experienced racism first hand and would later experience racism in the context of her interracial marriage. It still boggles the mind that only 15 years before I was born, Loving v. Virginia made it possible for my family to exist!

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