In this episode of the Performance Parakone podcast, hosts Marcos Becerra and Suleyma Garcia sit down with Tony Aguilera, the president of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF) board. As they dive into the importance of community support and educational opportunities for Latino students in Nebraska, Tony shares his inspiring journey and the pivotal role BSF plays in empowering first-generation college students.

Tony discusses his experiences in mentoring youth and building career pathways, emphasizing the significance of internships and mentorships in navigating the workforce. He reflects on the challenges he faced while pursuing higher education and how those experiences shape his vision for the future of BSF. Marcos and Suleyma explore the foundation's growth, including its expansion into trades and the introduction of the Student Success Skills Program, designed to equip students with essential life skills and career readiness.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the scholarship application process, which opens on March 1st and closes on March 31st, as well as the importance of community partnerships in creating opportunities for students. Join us as we celebrate the power of perseverance, mentorship, and the transformative impact of education.

You can go to the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation website to apply:

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/apply-now

List of scholarships: 

BSF, In Honor of Ella and Vidal Barrientos, Arts/Education - $6,000

CHI Health, Healthcare - $1,000

Cinco de Mayo Omaha, Communications, Journalism, Marketing - $4,000

Clarkson College, Healthcare - $2,500

Geena Gomez, Masters in Education/Special Education - $5,000

JE Dunn, Construction Mgt. at UNK, UNL, or UNO - $5,000

Lozafina, General - $1,000

MagicTouch/Eddie Sandoval, Nursing - $2,500

MagicTouch, Business - $2,500

Methodist College, Healthcare - $2,500

Nebraska Furniture Mart,

Business/Communications - $3,000

Metro Community College Only

BSF/MCC, Any - $5,000

CHI Health/MCC, Healthcare - $5,000

JE Dunn/MCC, Trades - $5,000

MagicTouch/MCC, Trades - $5,000

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)/MCC, Trades - $5,000

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!

In this milestone 10th episode of Performance Parakone, Marcos and Suleyma celebrate with special guests Tally Velasco and Michelle Vega from Lozafina Marketing. As partners of the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation, Tally and Michelle share their insights on the importance of community engagement and the role their Latina-owned marketing firm plays in uplifting diverse voices in Omaha.

Tally, the executive digital content curator, discusses her journey in digital content creation and the challenges of promoting clients while managing a busy schedule. Michelle, the executive director of creative designs, reflects on her path from a sports marketing internship to leading design efforts at Lozafina. Together, they explore the dynamics of working in a predominantly white industry and the impact of being a woman of color in the marketing field.

Xitlally “Tally” Velasco is the Executive Digital Content Curator at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. She is a University of Nebraska at Omaha journalism graduate with a concentration in public relations and advertising and a minor in Psychology. Velasco is a first-generation college student with roots in Oaxaca, Mexico. Her work interests include copywriting, editing, marketing, social media management, and event planning. You can contact Tally at [email protected].

Michelle Vega is the Executive Director of Creative Designs at Lozafina Marketing and Public Relations. She also proudly served in the Girl Talk Sports Marketing & Communications Internship Program, co-created by Lozafina and EPIC for Girls. Michelle is a University of Nebraska Omaha graphic design graduate and a Goodrich Scholarship Scholar. You can contact Michelle at [email protected].

Link to their website https://www.lozafina.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lozafina/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lozafinallc/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/LozafinaLLC

Twitter: https://x.com/LozaFina  

This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!

In this episode of Performance Parakone, Marcos and Suleyma welcome Diego Martinez, a passionate student and advocate for the immigrant community. Diego shares his compelling journey from Guadalajara, Mexico, to Omaha, NE, detailing the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new culture and language. His story is one of resilience and determination as he navigates the complexities of higher education without the privileges many take for granted. 

Diego opens up about his aspirations in aviation and the importance of giving back to your community through the Barrientos Scholarship Foundation (BSF). He discusses the struggles of finding financial aid without a Social Security number and the crucial role BSF plays in supporting the dreams of students who may be in similar situations. Diego's dedication to helping others is evident through his involvement in various projects, including developing a mental health app for students and volunteering his interpreting skills for the Omaha Public Schools. 

This episode is a testament to the power of perseverance and community support, showcasing how Diego uses his talents to uplift others while pursuing his dreams of becoming a pilot. Join us as we explore Diego's inspiring journey and the impact of BSF in empowering students like him. 

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In the 8th episode of Performance Parakone, we turn the tables and dive deep into the inspiring journey of our very own co-host, Marcos Becerra. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Marcos shares his experiences navigating life as a second-generation Latino, the influence of his family's legacy, and his passion for storytelling through film and marketing. From his upbringing in Houston, TX to his academic journey in Austin, TX, Marcos opens up about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped his path.

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

Live from the Omaha Michelada Fest, join Marcos & Suleyma for another exciting episode of the Performance Parakone podcast! This episode features an in-depth conversation with Carlos Hurtado, founder of the Omaha Michelada Fest and Toximiche, and his business partner and wife Dayana Hurtado. They dive into the challenges and triumphs of organizing the first Latino festival at the riverfront, the importance of community and family support, and their entrepreneurial journeys.

00:00 – Welcome Carlos

04:02 – 1st Latino festival at the riverfront

09:26 – Advice to new entrepreneurs

10:40 – Listen to ¡Ay Apa! Podcast

15:18 – Welcome Dayana

20:34 – Supera Designs

26:04 – Expectations as a Latina

Resources

Omaha Michelada Fest

https://www.omahamichefest.com/

¡Ay Apa! Podcast

https://www.instagram.com/ay_apapodcast?igsh=dW5uOWFsNzdqazFi

Supera Designs

https://www.instagram.com/superadesigns?igsh=MW1wZDg0a3owbGNjdg== 

Embolden Network

https://www.instagram.com/emboldennetwork?igsh=NjA0Ym00d3B4enRh  

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

Join us for a special episode recorded live from the Pinnacle Bank Championship at the Indian Creek golf course. Hosts Marcos Vidal and Tony welcome Mike Agostino from Nash and Scott Henderson from Nmotion, powered by Gener8or. This episode dives deep into the essence of community building at events like the Pinnacle Bank Championship and explores the intersection of healthcare and entrepreneurship, particularly focusing on opportunities and pathways for the Latino community.

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this exciting new episode of Performance Parakone, we have the privilege of hosting Yanira Garcia, a distinguished member of the Latino Economic Development Council and Senior Strategic Implementations Associate at FNBO. Yanira shares her inspiring journey from Mexico to Omaha, navigating the challenges of being a first-generation college student, and her impactful work in the community.

Yanira delves into the importance of mentorship, getting involved in extracurricular activities, and overcoming imposter syndrome. She also highlights her experiences in the marketing industry, her time at Telemundo, and the significance of representation and support for Latinas in professional spaces. Yanira's story is a testament to resilience, community, and the power of challenging oneself to achieve greatness.

Resources

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanira-garcia-m-a-b3376a86/?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

https://www.thedream.us/

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

In this episode Itzel Lopez, CEO of the Latino Economic Development Council (LEDC), delves into the data shaping the Latino population's growth, both nationally and locally, and discusses solutions to challenges like Brain Drain in Nebraska including putting more focus on areas of education like STEM. We’ll also speak with a special guest, Efren Mendoza, a former BSF Scholar, to learn about his path into the health workforce and the opportunities he has built for himself and his family.

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel.

Join us as we bring in leaders in Omaha’s Latino community; Geena Gomez from Alvarez Insurance, Loreno Jameson with the Latino Society of OPPD (LSO), and Jason Studt, VP of JE Dunn Construction. We discuss the challenges, and the reality of giving back as a small business like Alvarez Insurance. As well as the ways companies like JE Dunn and OPPD get involved, get engaged, and then get connected. No matter the size of the company, there’s a way for everyone to make a difference. And for students, this is a great opportunity to learn about how employers think and what they’re searching for. Don’t miss out on this specially formatted episode of Performance Parakone!

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!

On this episode we get the opportunity to talk to Barrientos Scholarship Recipient, Odwuar Quinonez, about his journey and obstacles in pursuing his Bachelor’s, and now Master’s Degree as a 1st-Generation Latino in Nebraska. He brings on his mother who describes the struggles of raising her son her in America, but preserving through it all and providing her son the opportunity to pursue his dreams. 

Resources

https://www.barrientosscholarship.org/

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!