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INTERVIEW #32: YAMILEX SANCHEZ
At 242 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14201 you will find El Coquito, impeccable architecture, and the smiling face of founder Yamilex Sanchez.
The new kid on the block, literally, “On Allen” is a lifestyle, a way to tell time, and a destination for locals. Located on a busy business heart valve of the traditionally diverse, vivacious, well-known, forward-moving, and food-centered neighborhood of, the West Side, El Coquito is the new worst-kept secret in Buffalo.
Yamilex is although, the perfect archetype of the entrepreneurial spirit that has long nourished our neighborhood for centuries, and the tenacious, internationally in-tune, and trend-setting spirit of the young and bright creators, “westside babies” as I like to call us, who make up the new regime. A woman of many passions, the first of which, is her children and motherhood, The second, is food and community building. A third is storytelling and community building.
Food tells us stories about ourselves, that we don’t know. We know the flavor, the texture, and the smell, but sometimes we don’t know the story of our history. Like Yamliex’s Taina bone structure, Mofongo, a feature on the Coquito menu, gives heavy main character vibes. Mofongo can be accompanied by shrimp, chicken, or served alone. Your first bite is a crash course in Puerto Rican history. The lesson: Mofongo, like the island’s culture, is eclectic. Our beautiful West African ancestors were sold into slavery, and brought with them, fufu, a doughy food made soften. Fufu was then pounded with a mortar and pestle. Over time, Taino and Spanish flavors were stirred into fufu, and out came mofongo. After generations of perfecting, every cook has their own secret.
A Buffalo girl by example, Yamilex’s story was one that could have been written differently. Her life was touched by the ravages of the unjust and heavily one-sided criminal justice system; our nation continues to reform. The weight of Yamilex’s journey extends into the hearts of those unseen by ones. many, but very present in the minds of their loved ones from plantains, cassava, or yams that were boiled to.
A motivator, a unifier of stratified spaces and peoples, when I think of Yamilex I think of Cacique Yuiza “Loisa”. Predominately for one reason, Yamilex like Cacique Loisa, is recognized, and lifted by her own people. And the admiration of her own people, forever in time, is the highest compliment a woman can be given outside of motherhood. FYI Cacique is the indigenous word for leader amongst the Taino.
Memorialized by the Spanish, much of Cacique Loiza’s story is unknown but we know two things: (1) she was the ONLY female cacique recorded in history; (2) she was loved and that love inspired pride of self in others. Yamilex Sanchez brings light to dark spaces. Her inner light is seen in the faces of the people who love her. I maintain that one of the greatest measures of a person, in today’s digital era, is the look on the faces of the people around them. Not the face of the subject of the photo frozen in time and perfectly poised, but the faces of those who inhabit their space willfully.
When you follow the Coquito Facebook page, and when you visit in person, you will see and experience a neighborhood, a street, a building space, and people made to be more hopeful and more fully alive by Yamilex. and her business. Yamilex, kindly has created a refuge for so many of us who crave the familiarness of our neighbors and flavors, sounds, and laughter of “home”, but remain thousands and thousands of miles away.
INTERVIEW #31: MARIA CRUZ
On June 2, 2007, I posted my first Facebook photo. I made identity-affirming Latina-centered student content before it was seen as such. After 16 years on Facebook and another 10 on Instagram, I am confident about my relevant perspective on our shifting marketing economy. The Internet economy’s contribution to US GDP grew 22% per year since 2016, in a national economy that grows between 2-3% annually, according to the Wilson Center.
Decades of content for specific media audiences, professionally and personally, was a whirlwind as technologies, our Puerto Rican dialect, my interest areas, and my biliteracy both in Spanish and in technology have made leaps and bounds in capabilities, and form. Now, I have a desire to better understand my place in the community media ecosystem and the larger advertising market. Community media is defined as media platforms run for the community, about the community, and by the community #wepa. Looking back, though seemingly random my calamity of Facebook status and growing pains and social/ political thought mean something. Together they reflected the “mood” of parts of my demographic and provide a map of turning trends for one of America’s largest consumer bases, Latinas. Social media became important over time to the economy and my early investment means my voice has a keener business perspective.
In the beginning, there were no “rules” about “appropriate” expressions because the concept was new and fluid. I leaned in and found the outlet for a lifetime of being the “only” “Latina”. Joining Facebook as a senior in high school I have become a consumer and professional ONLINE, and I know how I want companies to talk to me as a consumer. A strong community media scene is an indicator of a healthier democratic society, which likewise relies on independence and a participatory nature to exist. I am a part of a larger community of strong Latinas online and therefore I post community media, which can also be social and personal media. Seemingly random profiles of Americans, in a collective chorus, make up our democratic society’s voice.
I think of Maria Cruz when I think of women. I aspire to model my media presence around. Maria is relevant, decisive, authentic, humble, and firm yet gentle. An excellent mother, to her own children and a role model to the community, President of the Hispanic Women’s League in Buffalo New York, elected by her peers, she champions her neighbors’ voices and empowers change.
In her own words when asked if she has a role model? How we understand the media that empowers us to serve as role models will continue to shift, as will the technology but what will not shift is the organic collective process in which we, as a community define what is “ours”. Let us continue to allow ourselves and each other generous space in doing so because our voices are those of experts, we are our own consumer base. Please read my interview with Maria Cruz; give due weight to your own voice in honor of hers.
1. Who are you and what values were taught in your home? My name is Maria Cruz, born as Maria Margarita Monte Rivera in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. My mother moved us to Buffalo, NY in 1991. In my home we, specifically the females, were taught the importance of education and making sure we did not depend on a man. It was important for all of us to be kind to everyone we encountered in this world. Above all, it was important that within the four walls of the different apartments we moved to (from the Perry projects to the West Side, to the Jasper Parish projects, back to the West Side, to then back to the Perry projects, to the Jasper Parish and finally back to the West side of Buffalo- were we finally semi-settled) that only Spanish be spoken, my mom cooked meals every day and it was not until my parents separated that I saw my mother drive and work outside the home. So, you can say that I had to be a multifaceted woman- managing education, and family traditions, learning English outside the home, maneuvering my surroundings while living extremely sheltered, and realizing that I was expected to be a housewife and a working woman.
2. What was being a student like & what was your favorite learning moment growing up? I loved school! I loved knowing that through education I could discover different aspects of our world. I have always loved Science and Mathematics. I enjoy problem-solving and the classroom allowed me to home in on my skills. Honestly, my favorite learning moment did not really come until my first year at Hamilton College, where I received a full academic ride right after I attended The Buffalo Seminary High School (I attended there on a Math and Science Scholarship.) During my freshman year my whole world as I knew it was challenged. Everything as I knew it was revolutionized. I grew up idolizing my hair (cut it off for the first time in college), not knowing my own power, and unaware of how much action, mobilizing, and coming together can impact change. I became the president of the Latino organization on campus called La Vanguardia, and unbeknownst to me, I became enthralled in politics. It was not till many years later (2023, LOL) that I came to realize how much politics have been a part of my journey to where I am today.
3. Do you see yourself as a leader? If so, why? This is a heavy question. It took me a long time to see myself as a leader. But, yes, I do see myself as a leader. My first leadership role was as an older sister and then as a mother. When I think of a leader, I believe it is someone who safeguards their team and has sustenance and tools to achieve their goals. It goes beyond having vision and passion. It is about sacrifice and the willingness to work a little bit harder to make sure all see the leader in them. I see myself as a leader because it is my goal to help others reach their full potential.
5. Do you have a role model? If yes, who? What type of role model do you hope to be for future generations? The average (and I use this world very lightly) woman is my role model, the woman who makes something out of nothing — the woman who sees herself as power. My role model is the woman who, unapologetically, breaks walls down because they understand the importance of clearing paths for those who are still in search of their own power, the woman who breaks the status quo and shows up for other women. —— I hope to be this type of role model for our future generations.
4. How do you define an advocate and an ally? How do you see the future of your advocacy growing? An advocate is willing to stand by me when things get ugly! An advocate is driven by intentional activism (action-driven) while an ally is a supporter and not necessarily guided by action. In my experience, for the most part, allies support the cause because of someone they know but not for ALL the people affected. I am currently the president of The Hispanic Women’s League| (Liga de Mujeres Hispanas) which dedicates itself to Latina women and Latina issues, but I am actively involved in many other causes. My advocacy work is truly to influence decision-making and help eliminate social, political, and economic systems that affect all underrepresented groups. I am in my second year of a three-year term as the president of this organization, but as insane as it may sound, once my term is done, I plan to submerge myself in deep, loud action and advocate work.
INTERVIEW #30: CASSANDRA BOCANEGRA PONCE
My son is a six-year-old CEO. We started a brand because he likes art and I found it easier to teach him if we centered our energies around a shared project. It is going amazing, www.buffalokidceo.com if you want to learn about his bilingual socio-emotional coloring books and his mission to tell the world that “KIDS CAN BE CEOS too! Since things are going well, but the world around us is changing and he is a very LATINO child, with a Latino name, he is taller, shyer, and a little bit bigger, it is time to have the “talk” with him. It is time to explain different parts of his privilege and some of his vulnerabilities to him. I want him to be able to explain his privilege like Cassy.
Cassandra talks about her privilege in her interview (An excerpt): “I am a first-generation Mexican American, a Tejana/Chicana, and the eldest daughter in my family. I was born in McAllen Texas about 20 minutes from the Laredo border crossing. Growing up, I was always a headstrong and stubborn child to the point that if I genuinely wanted something nothing would stop me.”
Cassandra is the Manager of Organizing and Strategy Finger Lakes at the New York Immigration Coalition, I met her on Zoom and instantly started pursuing a feature. We talked on the phone, and I felt braver after, I felt freer, and I was like ok this is perfect because I write with my heart, I need features that inspire me personally (kind of selfish right)?
Cassy talks about her privilege: “Since I was born in Texas and had the privilege of being documented I was taught to appreciate that privilege and use it to speak up when I saw injustices in my community. My parents are both undocumented immigrants, so there are certain things that I can do that my parents and others in my community could not. My parents fostered a home and environment where we helped each other and others when we could. “
As an American, my mother, white as snow, as she is, taught me the right thing is to love liberty and to love people who were willing to fight for it. I will not ever change that and teaching lessons and showing parts of the world I advocate for but am not a part of is easier with art. Organizations like New York Immigrant Coalition are supporting an entire universe of artists who are willing to spend their careers making art about people AMERICAN enough to love the red, White, and blue through the other side of the fence of oppression.
Enter films like “After I Pick the Fruit” made about the lives of my sister Latinas in 2011. Enter films like “From Here” debuting on the World Channel – America Reframed Strand of PBS on June 1st at 8 pm ET. Director Christina Antonakos Wallace and Taina Mattos are people to watch just like Cassandra.
How do we teach our children and the adults around them empathy? How do we teach our children to lead?
We will be talking about it all month, with Cassy, who is not a mom yet but is a PROUD BIG SISTER, shout out to the big sisters/mothers out there. I have two but one specifically showed out for me.
She must tell me “What God has for you – is for you.” What God’s got for me is a good old AMERICAN desire to fight for what I think is right. It is not just for me, I have ancestors to honor, William Cary, my 2nd great-uncle (son of ORANGE county New York) left his body on …the battlefield at the Battle of Dallas, at 30 years old and it broke his mother’s heart, an immigrant from Scotland. He believed in liberty, so do I, and there is enough LIBERTY here for all of us and I am going to keep writing about it until I am blue in the face, just as blue as my uncle’s union uniform. Read the rest of Cassy’s interview at www.makinglatinaherstory.us and learn the story of all American show me, do not tell me kinda later.
Who are you and what values were taught in your home? My name is Cassandra Bocanegra, I am a first-generation Mexican American, a Tejana/Chicana, and the eldest daughter in my family. I was born in McAllen Texas about 20 minutes from the Laredo border crossing. Growing up, I was always a headstrong and stubborn child to the point that if I genuinely wanted something nothing would stop me. Although I am sure that it terrified them to have such a headstrong child, my parents never discouraged that trait. Since I was born in Texas and had the privilege of being documented I was taught to appreciate that privilege and use it to speak up when I saw injustices in my community. My parents are both undocumented immigrants, so there are certain things that I can do that my parents and others in my community could not. My parents fostered a home and environment where we helped each other and others when we could.
What was your experience as a student and your favorite learning moment growing up? When we arrived in the NYS in 1999 we lived in the inner city of Rochester. I did not know any English and spent 6 months in a bilingual school before we were able to move to a suburb of Rochester where I went to elementary and middle school. The suburb of Greece did not have much diversity so there were not many students at my schools that looked like me or that had parents that did not speak English. Often, I was the interpreter for my family at many school functions. When I was in Middle School, I decided that I was not being challenged enough and sought out a scholarship to a private all-girls high school. The diversity did not get better. I ended up graduating from there and attending SUNY Geneseo as an EOP student and was a first-generation college student. My experience in college was incredibly stressful. Between my freshman and sophomore year my parents were picked up by immigration and their deportation proceedings were started. That meant that there was more on my plate and more responsibilities that I had to take care of on top of being a student. I was lucky enough to receive support from some amazing professors whom I was able to talk things through with and who offered support and encouragement for me to continue my studies. I think my favorite learning moment growing up was when I wanted to volunteer at a teen book fair and my mother said she could not take me, so I figured out how to get there myself and made it there and back on my own. I was 13 and had the best time and was able to meet one of my favorite authors Matt De la Pena (Mexican white boy and Ball Do not Lie) and Holly Black.
Do you see yourself as a leader? If so, why? At times I do but I am hesitant to label myself as that since I know that I have much to learn. I think other people would call me a leader and maybe someday I will be able to agree with them. At this time, I can only say that I am learning how to be a better version of myself and how to lead myself toward my goals.
How do you define an advocate and an ally? How do you see the future of your advocacy growing? I would define an advocate and an ally the same. I believe that you must be an ally to be a good advocate and you must be an advocate to be a good ally. An advocate stands on the front lines and uplifts and works to end the marginalization of a community and part of doing that is being an ally who supports and hears what the struggling are without assuming that they know best. I think allies are only better when they can advocate for voices to be heard in a way that does not take up space. For example, one of my favorite ways that I have seen an ally advocate for me was when they saw that I was struggling to be heard in a new space and brought attention to the fact that I was not being listened to as a Latina. There is a fine line, but I think it is easily blurred when it comes to a community. I think allies are also people who maybe have not experienced the same traumas and hurdles that people in a community have and who use their privilege to make space for those communities and advocates who are allies or directly impacted community members that are tired of only listening and ready to lead the charge in making change happen.
Do you have a role model? If yes, who? What type of role model do you hope to be for future generations? I do! My role models are my mom and my grandmother. They are all strong women who have continuously gone against the current to achieve more for themselves than what their society/generation expected. I hope that if anyone does see me as a role model, they see me as human. I want anyone who looks up to me to see that it is okay to make mistakes and to fall because that is part of growing and learning, it is much more important to learn from that and to pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Being a leader or a role model does not mean that you are perfect, to me it means that you keep moving forward with humility, grace, and strength.
INTERVIEW #29: CHRISTINA RODRIGUERZ
“The movie must have at least two women in it, who talk to each other, about something other than a man.”
20 words that will flip your literary, cinematic, artistic, and otherwise critical lens inside out. The Bechdel-Wallace test is a measure of the representation of women in film and other fiction. The day I learned about this “test” which seems so obvious “test” seems like a misnomer, was the day that Christina Rodriguez answered my pleas, and agreed to let me write about her. I grew that day.
Christina is from California, just like Hollywood, and strikingly brilliant- just like the Bechdel-Wallace Test, my May column was shaping before me.
The founder of “Latinas with Masters”- Christina’s genius is wise, and not all genius is so. My first Latina representing Nicaragua is the proud daughter of undocumented Americans, and that is a specific use of the term on my part, a mother, and ‘Latinaherstorymaker.’ She created “Latinas with Masters” as an Instagram page and it later grew into a movement, one of which I am humbled to consider myself part of. A doctoral student, a wife, a sister, a homie, a cool kid, a city dweller, a teacher, a friend, a poet, the list could go on, she is a strong spirit. A beacon of light- one that I could see from 2,657.00 miles away in the dark through my swiping.
I saw myself in her, in her path to becoming Dr. Rodriguez, in her passion for the brilliance of everyday people, and in her dedication to telling their stories. The ancient home of highly organized and expressive artisan indigenous people, Nicaragua has been the site of complicated coalitions of diplomats for thousands of years. A posit into why Christina’s oratory skills seem highly practiced. Descendant of leaders are modern Latinx people, who like Nicaragua, have multiracial and multilingual contemporary histories I uncovered in my research.
Christina is the perfect ambassador for her culture, her state, her city, and for our way of life, which centers healing and family values over material possessions and trending superficialities. A sister in the celebration of lifting other people, her Instagram stories are often full of hopeful faces of the recently graduated, the newly admitted, and the award-winning Latinx student. Her gift to the world is the counter-stereotype. There have been times I have walked into a room full of people and insisted that even though I have not personally lived some of the experiences that my sisters have, that women who have the same last name as I have, and that for the RODRIGUEZ reason, it was my duty to speak for them.
Christina is the epitome of who I was talking about. For every two of us, there are two million more Latinas who deserve better, and I do not even need to ask Christina, because she is a Rodriguez for one and two, she and I will be FIGHTING FOR THEM… sure thing, bet your bottom dollar…
For every little girl who is working tonight as I tap my fingers across this keyboard, because they are out there, and they are going to have to go to school in the morning, and they are going to be exhausted, going to be sitting in class worried sick; thinking about if someone is going to think that her parents are not American enough, and is going to take them away.
Those kids are out there, and working harder than us, and for them, and for every other story of incomprehensible bravery, fortitude, and love we will be here. The storytellers, waiting, and my stories will be stronger told next to Christina’s.
A TALK WITH CHRISTINA: The name of my business is Latinas with Masters, which I originally started as an Instagram page. I wanted to share my experience of how I obtained my master’s degree. That included being the only Latina for most of my cohort but then also sharing in real-time my experience of attaining my Doctoral degree. So, what originally started as just an Instagram page, organically turned into a business, which turned into a movement, and turned into a brand. I was motivated because I was receiving a lot of feedback from people that were starting to follow my page; the content that I was sharing was resonating with them.
And the content that I was sharing was that I wanted to drop out of Graduate School, as I felt like I did not belong. I had feelings of imposter syndrome even though, technically, I did not even know what that term was. It was not until my doctoral program, that is when I dug deeper as to the meaning of impostor syndrome, but I was able to now name a lot of these experiences that I was dealing with both in higher education and in the workplace.
There are a lot of things that are not told to us right; we are sold and told “a dream”, and so it works to a certain extent but then you walk into these spaces where people do not look like you or you feel like you do not belong and then, suddenly, you start thinking, wow nobody told me this. You know, I was going to experience these microaggressions or that my education is still going to be questioned even though I have advanced degrees and that is more education than most of the people in this room. Those are the things that were not told to me, those are the things that I had to experience on my own, so I am here to change that narrative, here to tell you the things that many people may be scared to share for whatever reason. But I could only speak for my personal journey, the lessons that I have learned from those experiences, and those that are also willing to share their experiences you know I share my platform for us — to have a counter space and provide a counter-narrative of the perception of Latinos in higher education.
I get asked a lot if “Latinas with masters” is a business, and I say, yes, it is a business. But organically it became several things, a brand; It became a movement, a sisterhood, and a support system.
I honestly feel that Latinas with masters can be anything that you need them to be, everything you wanted to be, there are no limits to Latinas with masters, that is the beauty of it, it is a journey that you know. I became an entrepreneur by just being a friend, an amiga, and a sister. It just all happened organically. It represents us showing up as our authentic selves. It represents us preserving and embracing our Latino culture. It represents us being proud of being educated, proud of being the first in our family to attend or graduate from college.
I do not see Latinas with masters as necessarily one reaching a diploma if that makes sense. One might notice, I do not promote graduate schools, and I do that for a specific reason. There are a lot of inequities with Graduate School admissions. I would be insincere if I were here trying to promote a Graduate School that still has a GRE or GMAT which is a barrier for a lot of people to get into Graduate School. I am trying to break those barriers.
If you’ve always dreamed about attaining an advanced degree a master’s degree, a doctorate, a Ph.D., a bachelor’s degree, or an associate’s degree, doesn’t matter what type of higher education you want to pursue. You have a whole gang of Latinos that look like you, and shared experiences as you. They can help you along the way should you come across any challenges or barriers, working against you not to achieve your dream of becoming a college graduate.
In closing, I am also learning how to accept those compliments and so that kind of transitions with the values that I have been taught. I was born in San Francisco, so I am from the Bay Area. My parents came to this country from Nicaragua. Our family values are very much embedded in our Latino culture and identity, growing up very engrained in the Central American culture. Overall, my Latino culture or values, as you know, are to always honor and respect one’s parents.
Follow @latinaswithmasters and join a community that will allow you to dream, in fact, it will demand you to.
INTERVIEW #28: FEATURING CHANEL J. LOPEZ
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LGBTQ AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, NEW YORK STATE
“Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.”
Standing in the parlor at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany, I thought about that phrase. I ran my newly manicured finger over the name “Chanel J. Lopez” on the stark white business card. I learned something about Governor Hochul (fearless leader/her boss) in 30 seconds. I learned the Governor believes in innovation. On Chanel’s card, I read a title I never knew existed before “Deputy Director of LGBTQ Affairs”, with the seal of New York State, a masterpiece. Meeting Chanel was firstly a lesson about my Governor, but secondly a moment of relief for me. As a SUNY-trained policy analyst, I am always weary of homogenous voices governing all. I knew Chanel could speak for me. — And that was before I learned that Chanel was from Harlem, a place I love dearly.
To go first in history is to be “damned if you do and damned if you do not.” It never goes perfectly. Never. Chanel J. Lopez accepted that privilege/responsibility on her first day. I am thankful for that. The voice Chanel brings to the government is one that has been, maliciously, silenced for too long. Politically speaking, Chanel, identifying as an Afro-Latina transwoman, is an asset to our government. As a Latina political scientist, I will have greater faith in the policies emanating from Albany because Chanel is there. Effective governance requires understanding and empathy for “the average citizen”, and RIGHT NOW, the average citizen in New York is beautifully complex. Those complexities are also opportunities if you seek to leverage them. Patriots see the most vulnerable Americans and center them in conversations and planning. I trust Chanel to do that. When you meet Chanel, you will see the light behind Chanel’s eyes. The light — that’s evidence of a person who has accepted the love of their creator and the fact they were made in the eyes of perfection.
“Rise to meet your place in history,” I tell the youth during workshops. Chanel did that; did I mention that Chanel’s from Harlem (New York City)?
When I discovered that Chanel was Puerto Rican, I felt lucky. Supported by a family with strong values and an abuelas love. A public-school kid and graduate of an “alternative school” and a survivor of childhood bullying, Chanel will bring stronger perspectives to government policymaking. Taught at home to always stand up for what you believe in, and in an inner-city neighborhood life is a runway and should be treated as such. The journey to the white business card (with the state seal) was not always glamorous and in fact, required finding the courage to live in the full expression of the human spirit in middle school. Many of our neighbors are lost in pain on the journey of self-discovery and for those New Yorkers, I am confident, Chanel will speak for them, too. I crave authenticity in my leaders and so do the close to 10 million Puerto Ricans living in the United States. Puerto Ricans are among the Latinos leading the way in overall percentages of new voters, every year, in major states like ours. Puerto Rico’s population dropped by 11.8% between 2010 and 2020 (according to the Center for Puerto Rican Studies at Hunter College), and 440,000 of us left the island and took our votes with us (BIG WEPA). In hiring CHANEL, our governor has sent a message about how our state will welcome our new neighbors — with inclusion.
Join me in recognizing National Day of Silence(*), and stand up for somebody with the courage to stand up to the world, to be there, to be counted!
INTERVIEW WITH CHANEL J. LOPEZ:
How do you define an advocate and ally? How do you see the future of your advocacy growing? I define an advocate as someone who knows their community, who knows the needs and fights for the rights of their community, and someone passionate about their community. An ally in my opinion is someone who wants to be educated about the community and who is right next to us with a passion for fighting for our rights. I see my advocacy growing by running for office in the future.
Who are you and what values were taught in your home? I am Chanel J. Lopez, an Afro-Latina transwoman, who was raised by her grandmother, grandfather, and my mom in what they called “El Barrio” which is referred to as East Harlem these days. The values I was taught at home were to always stand up for what I believed in and to always watch whom I have in my surroundings.
What was your experience as a student and your favorite learning moment growing up? The school was not the best of memories growing up for me, I was always teased and bullied for being feminine, and I was jumped two (2) times after for just being me. When I went to high school, I was in one of the most dangerous schools with nothing but gangs, so I transferred to a vocational school and obtained my diploma.
Do you see yourself as a leader? I do not see myself as a leader, I see myself as an advocate, a representative of my community, and an activist. I am much behind the scenes these days and make a difference from the inside, especially working for our governor, I get to have an input in policymaking and make decisions that would protect our community and give them equal access.
How do you define an advocate and ally? How do you see the future of your advocacy growing? I define an advocate as someone who knows their community, who knows the needs and fights for the rights of their community, and someone passionate about their community. An ally in my opinion is someone who wants to be educated about the community and who is right next to us with a passion for fighting for our rights. I see my advocacy growing by running for office in the future.
Do you have a role model, if not, what type of role model do you hope to be for our future generation? I do have a role model, she was my Abuela. May she rest in peace with whom I lost to covid three (3) years ago, who helped raise me. I owe her for the person I am and the person I want to become because we are always evolving and learning so much about ourselves. She will always be the role model I would love to aspire to become.
(*) National Day of Silence: Observed annually on the second Friday in April, the National Day of Silence sheds light on the disastrous effects of bullying and harassment of LGBTQ students in schools. This day students across the US take a vow of silence to illustrate the silencing effect when LGBTQ students are bullied.
Interview #27: NORMA SANTIAGO
Norma Santiago was a loving mother who fell victim to gun violence perpetrated inside her children’s public school at the hands of her estranged husband. She was the first person I ever knew whose life was taken.
My father and Norma’s husband were both law enforcement officers and our families were bonded one summer, but not for long; Mom noticed Norma’s husband was “not the nicest” and though my father was no boy scout (he was – but you get what I’m saying), and he agreed. During our last shared family outing, I was never able to forget…
I didn’t like Ferris wheels. I volunteered because I could see she feared going up with him alone.
A milestone, in the building or development of my young self-confidence, I felt proud that I could help someone.
That moment was immediately followed by a sobering sense of dread. While we were suspended in the air, I watched his eyes as he mentally fantasized about pushing her over. Being from the hood, guessing at what was coming next — the struggle for survival.
He never pushed her out of the car that day, but I’ll never forget his eyes, full of rage.
Ten years old and smart enough, I knew something bad was going to happen. I told mom he was going to kill her. I remember her taking me seriously; that was the last time we saw them, but I continue to see his eyes forever.
A handful of years later, she was gone.
There’s a blog I found memorializing her life and news coverage about her passing. I teared up when I found the page, there she was, in a bumper car, at an amusement park.
Part of my life is dedicated to advocating for vulnerable women and children as I had once been. Being honored as a storyteller this coming month I reflected. Whose story is left to tell?
I decided Justice is best served in the form of a celebration of one’s life. Norma, may you rest in peace you have not been forgotten.
The following is an anonymous contribution by someone on the site of the murder:
How did the act of violence that culminated in Norma’s passing affect your life? The act of violence changed my life because it was the first time, I remember experiencing trauma. I couldn’t articulate that as a child, but I distinctly remember knowing something evil just took place. I remember feeling scared and I remember seeing the body bag being rolled out of the door. I remember thinking “she’s dead” there were people everywhere, and so much confusion.
What did you learn that day? I think what I learned that day was that men are dangerous. That I should fear my future husband. No matter how long it’s been, I always think back to that man taking his wife’s life. I feared men. I feared having a husband.
What do you remember overall? My overall impression was fear. I think there was fear instilled in me that day that has never left my body, now I’m triggered when I must do active shooter drills at work.
I was 7 years old back then; I was in second grade. I knew the family because one of their daughters was my classmate at the time and the other daughter was in my sister’s class. I haven’t spoken to them since 1997.
INTERVIEW #25: FEATURING STEPHANIE CLAIRE MOSS
I don’t know why I am less susceptible to patriarchies’ lie that professionalism is emulating whiteness. Maybe because I am already white (thanks mom) and that in fact being a white professional doesn’t make you even any ounce more professional. And that’s coming from my lived experience. Professionalism is about your ability, not your identity and or appearance. On top of being white, I am also Puerto Rican with a strong sense that Latin America has instilled in me called – glamour. And Those of us who have watched Univision know that the news can be read in almost any outfit and mean the same thing. Being surrounded by innovative and free-thinking women lead me here – being less susceptible. My aversion to the “professionalism myth” is fortified by the amazing authentic women around me. Living testaments that- a woman is an art. Art cannot tone “it” down or dial “it” away. Art is seen- thus Stephanie Claire Moss. Haitian. Bold. Genius. Elegant. Regal and her fashion love her as if to say “thank you for wearing me today “. Her kindness helps guide people through different worlds. An ambassador for me and the rest of our friends on campus to everything Harlem, Haiti, fashion, and Brooklyn related she guided me. Well truthfully, I begged her to bring me with her. And from Rochester to Brooklyn, we went!
I have the fondest memories of waking up in a big white house on a Brooklyn summer Sunday afternoon surrounded by art. The art curated by Stephanie’s Amazing Mother depicted women whose experience is fundamentally the history of Haiti. A history full of joy but such sorrow. The pain from the island- even though she was young. She carried it with her. I was stricken by her keen understanding of privilege and her knowledge of history.
The thing about Stephanie that mimics Haiti is the way she carries joy so strongly – joy is in her soul. Pure Joy can withstand any policy created from a place of darkness and envy. Because those that seek the light will find it. Haiti’s history seems punctuated by three words – joy, jealousy, and freedom. Others are so jealous of Haitians, that throughout history so many leaders have tried to penalize their very existence because (I reckon)- to be Haitian is to be excellent. The people have proved many a time they are stronger than any natural or man-made disasters that come before them. So much is known to the world about their boldness- about their desire to be free that it’s almost like the word “Haiti is synonymous with the word “Freedom”. Actively fighting to understand what that freedom means every time it is challenged is the opportunity of history. An opportunity Haiti has paid over and over starting with its French slave owners. Who were paid to free their slaves as were the Spanish in Puerto Rico –But the Haitians paid the evil price for freedom for a nation cumulatively. Over a period of about seventy years, Haiti paid 112 million francs to France, about $560 million in 2022. I think that Stephanie’s motivation to serve the people when she is most needed and to coach others to succeed is part of the determination displayed by the richness of her culture. A teacher and life coach. She has purposely spent her time in schools where her talents were most appreciated and with children who need her. The youth are a source of great inspiration to her. Motivation is one of her emerging passions. Looking toward the future Ms. Moss sees the next phase of her professional journey in business, doing what I believe she has been doing for me for a while- life coaching. Trilingual she speaks English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish. Stephanie has been striving for excellence her entire life and every time she achieves her goal, she adjusts the bar and sets it even higher and for that alone, she is #latinaherstory.
THE INTERVIEW:
What is the name of your business/artistry/passion? As of today, I am not a business owner, but do have dreams and aspirations of becoming one. Over the past year, I’ve developed an affinity for life coaching, particularly relationship coaching, as I’ve had to navigate relationships in the past that were not favorable to my mental health. I was able to overcome grief and depression through therapy and life coaching but found that the consistent coaching practices from some very talented people I’ve had the pleasure of working with, helped to stabilize my emotional state more than ever. The talented coaches I’ve encountered have now inspired me to open my life coaching practice, specializing in the mitigation of relational trauma. My goal is to help people identify the negative ways they may be showing up in relationships and carve out a synchronized plan of attack that will elevate their relational skills romantically and personally. My 2023 goal is to enroll in an accredited Life coaching certification program, so be on the lookout for me!!
Where were you born and what values were taught in your home? I was born in Brooklyn, NY. Growing up in a very traditional Haitian household I was taught that education was the only catalyst to success. Education was the vehicle to financial freedom. Additionally, my mother and father, both Haitian immigrants, felt it Important for me to be well-rounded socially and educationally. I was enrolled in a multitude of sports activities, musical groups, dance, and frequented enrichment programs geared towards college preparation. I played the violin, basketball, and ran track. If I wasn’t playing sports, I was playing the violin at the MET in NYC. The standards and values in my household were set high. The expectation was to always try my best at any and everything because unlike my cousins in Haiti that were constantly being plagued by political chaos, I was privileged to receive an uninterrupted education.
What was your experience as a student? As a student, I maintained above-average grades. I was a B+-A+ student, although college exposed my struggles with being a bilingual student. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an English Language Learner because I was born in the US and never received ESL services as a young child, but learning Haitian creole first created some barriers to me excelling at first in college.
What was the name of your favorite school and why? Frederick Douglass Academy was my high school located in Harlem, NY. I would say my high school was my favorite school as I was nurtured, challenged, and well-educated. The entire faculty assumed high standards for all of their students. While attending, I also played Varsity basketball. I had the most amazing coaches that facilitated opportunities for us to compete on a high level and ensured that we were able to travel cross country to play against teams above our competitive level. In addition, our principal brought free SAT, Regents Prep, and Paid internship opportunities to our school that further aided in my academic growth. FDA gave me experiences I am forever grateful for.
How do you define an educator? A person who not only builds students’ minds through knowledge but teaches a student for Life. A GOOD educator imparts critical thinking skills and experiential knowledge to develop a student.
What’s the most important thing a student/person taught you? It is okay to mess up. Failure is the best teacher.
What is your theory on human potential? Human potential is attainable with the right mindset and the right amount of intrinsic motivation.
What is your remedy for a long day? Turning off all electronics related to work, a warm shower, and Hulu in bed with a sweet treat.