As a former civil servant, I suffered severe injuries in a life-altering car accident. As a result of multiple surgeries, I found myself in a hospital bed feeling helpless and unseen. I decided to transform that feeling into a fully lived life. In that hospital bed I discovered my purpose. To highlight and uplift those who feel unseen.
But where to start?
I thought about my experiences as a Latinx person living unseen in two worlds. One world, as an American that grew up in hip hop culture as a minority. The other world, as a Puerto Rican that grew up on rice, beans, salsa, and reggaetón but a tourist in Puerto Rico. I spoke to family members, friends and colleagues about this feeling that limits us, causes insecurity and aids in imposter syndrome. I realized the answer was in front of me the whole time...
The Bridge
My mother used to have a painting of a beautiful bridge on the wall of her office. One side of the bridge was the island of Manhattan filled with skyscrapers, glass and busy streets. The other side of the bridge was the beautiful and lush island of Puerto Rico. I could not get that image out of my head...Continuously, I drift back to that painting and wonder how can we build this bridge for all unseen Latinx diaspora. A bridge for us to stay connected to our culture and be seen.
My entire career has been dedicated to becoming that bridge. As founder of the Latinx Travel Club and Nexus Latinx. As consulting for Latinx cultural institutions. As organizing conferences in New York, Miami, Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. As creating the first ever Latinx Travel Summit. As working the streets of Washington Heights and the Bronx. As a speaker to college students and business professionals about the importance of representation and highlighting cultural identity.
Today, the Latinx generation is the youngest, fastest growing, and most diverse population in the world. I help brands connect on a fundamental level to the needs, wants and likes of this surging demographic. I offer this through consulting services, conference organization and ideation such as identifying panelists, keynotes, and topics, moderating, motivational speaking, advising political and marketing campaigns, managing activations, writing, and producing projects that holistically speak to the Latinx person.