Interviews

Sometimes God doesn’t give you what you want. He gives you what you need. Trials and tribulations, you later realize, are blessings. One such blessing – the ability to speak two languages at varying levels of confidence- unites me with so many of my readers. In a deep breath, I reflect -my life has been -linguistically fluid. In my mind, I see all my readers. Smiling, waving at me. Publications that I contribute to are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods — like the  smell of sofrito and casas that start their day before the sun rises with ‘cafesito and una oracion de Dios.’ Readers with souls full of music and pain. Every time I write, It’s centered around one girl — a version of my inner child — Una “Nena”. In her life, our papers are the most relevant and most identified affirming publication she has. She struggles to access digital material outside of school. She has a sharp tongue, too impulsive, a dreamer’s spirit in a gray town and in when she grabs our paper, and she sees herself in the stories. She’s less than ten but she knows she’s bigger than her hometown and her dreams stretch further than the highways that isolate her. It’s all for her – really. I know she’s out there. If you know that little girl lift her up. If you are her grandmother, or if you are mother, or if you know a little girl (inside yourself) or in your community. Give her our paper. It’s a gift to give someone a reason to dream. I described that girl to Marisol when we first zoomed- she just smiled- she knew. I knew God sent Marisol to my life. Marisol was waiting for me, before I met her. Her path aligned with mine as she also is a bright thinker, empathetic, a leader. A graduate of SUNY Empire State College’s – like me, a fighter- like me. Marisol’s spirit was created to light the torches of other women’s intellect across the world. 1,400 miles away from her homeland of Puerto Rico there is something wild about her refinement almost exotic about her deliberateness in speech. She is a woman with many different chapters inside her writer’s soul. All those chapters led up to the creation of the most humble and significant Puerto Rican literary minds in the state. Marisol- (the version of her I love the most- Marisol my editor). The lead chief editor of CNY Latino publication with a circulation of 6,000 papers, she is the leading lady of public opinion for one of the fastest-growing Latino communities in our state. Love independent papers, advertise in them, submit to them, blog about them, just love them.  And know, when you talk papers in New York State, la Reina de todo esto es Marisol Hernandez, Senior Editor, and a great role model and mentor  for our young generation. THE INTERVIEW   Where were you raised, what were the values taught in your home? I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. When I was 12 years old, we moved to the tiny island of Vieques. That is when my parents divorced. I am the middle child of seven. For us, family comes first, even now as adults and living in different countries/states, my siblings and I are very close. Faith has always been a strong value in my family but also integrity, honesty, and humility. One thing that I also learn growing up is to have fun, enjoy life, and help others. When we were struggling, I remember my mother saying “has bien y no mires a quien, las cosas se hacen bien o no se hacen and mañana será otro día”. With that said, we as a family pray for others which is a habit, I have included in my daily prayer ritual.   What was your experience as a student?  My first experience in kindergarten was not good and I struggled in school. I didn’t learn how to read and write until 3rd grade. I remember hearing my mom say “pobrecita Marisol, déjala tranquila, ella no puede dar más”. That made me feel bad about myself and my own abilities to do things. I was one of those students that pass thru school under the radar. I finished high school with low grades and entered college on a special program at the InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico. When I move to the Bronx in 1984, I met my aunt’s “Comadre”. As the manager of a women’s clothing store, she hired me to do inventory, merchandise pricing, and to keep an eye on thieves. I didn’t know any English and I already had 2 years of college in Puerto Rico that was when I realized that if I didn’t learn English, I was not going to be successful in New York. She encouraged me to get back into college, I enrolled in Eugenio María de Hostos Community College and within a year, I was fully bilingual. I worked very hard every day that year, but it felt very empowering to make the honors roll. My outlook about the school, myself, and my own abilities changed forever at that moment. I realized that I could make things happen, that I can do anything I put my mind to do. In 1999, I completed my bachelor’s degree from Empire State College, State University of New York Auburn, New York’s branch with a degree in Human and Community Services and a concentration in Child and Family Studies. It took me 18 years on and off from college to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I feel very proud of the things I accomplish at work and for my community all those years while pursuing my education.   When did you start working and what was your first or favorite job? My first job was babysitting my neighbor’s daughter and cleaning my boyfriend’s bosses’ house, feeding their cats, etc. I was just 16 years old, with

This month I had the opportunity to meet and interview a brave, young Latino, named Yaleyska Medina. She is committed to addressing public health disparities in her community. Raised by two loving parents, she was born with a family on the strength of prayer. She is grounded and unafraid. She is motivated by her children and especially by her father who she considers her hero. It is said that energy is our most precious currency, and you may not interact with Yaleyska without absorbing her energy of strength.  A supernova is an exploding star. You can add in the parathesis “Yaleyska”. An overcomer, she has faced numerous social ills in her life (domestic violence, hunger, housing insecurity, depression, gender, racial bias), and survived – always applying the strength of a supernova. With her persistence, she uses her strength, surrounding and attacking the historical lack of health and medical trauma faced by Latino women. For Puerto Rican women, sovereignty over our bodies is like sovereignty over our land. We never had it! I felt like I knew her when we first met, and I was elated to learn that she worked at United Health Care.  I took that to mean she was empowered; I trust them to show up for my community whenever in need. Her curiosity about how I ended up a lawyer, public housing, and conducting a back-to-school drive (which she supports), I confided that I used to stand in line for food, backpacks, summer lunch, Christmas presents, whatever the social agencies or institutions were offering – not knowing the “who” or the “they.” All I knew was that we were in need. Before I could finish explaining, she immediately asked me, “so, now, what are you going to do about it? That is always the question. That’s when I began to see what Yaleyska wants to see in all women – motivation, inspiration, to show and demonstrate how we have unbreakable strength and energy.  We just must learn how to channel these elements; I see all those elements in her.  Physics says Force is equal to change in momentum (mass times velocity) over time. In other words, the rate of change is directly proportional to the amount of force applied. Yaleyska learned that a long time ago. THE INTERVIEW March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate our contributions.  Even though our #Latinaherstory community is across the state and beyond, we are going to celebrate together with an exercise: Pull out a calendar, each day write the things you like about yourself and make sure to always remind yourself, and draw from the strength of others.  Read the following interview, but make sure to take a deep breath, and say: “I am going to make it!” Where were you born and what were the values in your household?  My family is from Puerto Rico. We are a Pentecostal family. In my household, God was always first. My parents were strict. They taught me the importance of honesty, respect, kindness, and humility. We were humble, we lived in projects called Castillos. My parents were always willing to do everything in their power to survive. My father was a mechanic and knew the value of his work and the cars that he fixed.  As a single mother who is raising her children totally independent of anyone’s financial help, I look back on the sacrifices my parents made. One time, we needed food. My father was so resourceful that my father went to his car and took a car part out, so they could get food, you know? One of my father’s values that I’ve always taken- with me: is that no matter what you do, no matter what situation you are in, you don’t go out there stealing. You don’t go out there doing harm. Secondly, you know how to stay determined to survive. Even though I am alone in the parenting journey, one thing that I take from my family, from my parents is: that no matter how hard it is. You gave it your best and with God you are capable.  Don’t let anybody bring you down. Don’t let anybody discourage you, you have in your hands the power to do whatever your heart desires. Did you enjoy school? I did in part. It’s tricky because in Puerto Rico I enjoyed school. I enjoyed school as it was amazing because I was very smart. I was always outstanding. My grades were perfect. They did what is called the NASA project in Puerto Rico and they were picking from every single school. The two most outstanding in the whole entire school. I was one of the two picked. I was so proud. However, when I moved here, they placed me back in 12th grade where I had a complete, I think like six months’ worth of school to qualify for graduation. At that time school became a challenge because of the language barrier. You know it’s intimating. I was very smart but learning a whole new language is challenging. It’s a difficult challenge to assimilate into a school environment when you do not speak the instructional language. Still to this day, I think in Spanish, and I must translate in English when I speak to make sense. I feel like I’m always doing double the job because for me I think in two languages. At the same time, it’s amazing to be able to understand two different cultures and two different backgrounds. I am proud of my culture, but I also consider myself to have American grit because I overcame the challenge of moving to Buffalo with no fear whatsoever.  What was your first and was is your favorite job? At 17, My first job was at McDonald’s and then after that, I went into restaurants. However, to be quite honest and I’m being authentic. And I’m not saying this because I currently work with the company, but my best job is the one that

Winnifer Guerrero, the owner of Elevate Permanent Makeup Studio in Buffalo, New York, realized, what I did. If you try you can’t fail. Physics says energy can be transformed from one form to another but it can neither be created none destroyed.  Experiencing the forward motion of trying is a success. And you earned it — to a higher degree than those standing still will ever know. Never in motion, Latina women statistically have a better chance at cleaning a board room than ever sitting at the table. Women like Winnifer will change that. Kind, hilarious, and inward, she is constantly evolving her energy and craft. She has the skill of seeing people’s beauty stronger than they could ever see it for themselves. Her bright smile is one of a solider though quietly she is fighting centuries of economic exclusion and degradation of her demographic by the hands of history. All competitors in the system of capitalism are made equal, but not with equal access to power. Constantly fighting for a seat at the table (we build and clean), Latinas universally fought for the right to vote until 1942, especially in the case of the Dominican Republic. Undervaluation is a good term to describe the Latina state in economic politics. A valuation is the estimate of something’s worth. Demonstrably, Latinas make 67 cents to every $1.00 dollar a non-Latino white man makes. Aware of these facts, Winnifer doubled up and invested in herself. She is brave, considering that Latinas are often excluded from systems of capital that finance business. Despite that, as an economic community, we are working to address the apparent opportunity gap, specifically when doing business with local, state, and federal governments. For example, the creation of the MWBE Classification (Minority Women Business Enterprise), a classification that opened the door for minority businesses to apply for government contracts. Winnifer Guerrero is a third-generation “Buffalo Beat the odds” businesswoman. Her generation of female entrepreneurs are going to change the way people conduct business. In many ways, they already have. Never count anyone out in capitalism, not because they are too young or too inexperienced, or under-resourced, or whatever descriptor you want to use in place of “young” and “black/brown.” Never. Latinas will find a way. And for those of us who have the “privilege” to have a “seat” at the table we cleaned or built, make our presence reflect our intolerance for the language of sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, ageism, racism, patriarchy, and classism. We are successful. Read Winnifer Guerrero’s full interview: Interview Where were you born and raised? What values were taught in your home?  I was born in Brooklyn NY and came to buffalo when I was 11 years old. I am blessed to have been rooted in values of integrity, humility, and compassion.  What was your experience as a student: As a student I always found myself trying to find new ways to connect with my peers and build connections with people. When did you start working and what was your first/favorite job? My first job was washing hair and doing roller sets at my mother’s salon when I was 15 years old, I was her “little helper”.  I always found ways to make money around the shop.  As her clients sat under the dryer, I would offer to paint their toes and do designs for $5. (lol) I knew I wanted to work with my hands as soon as I realized I had the gift of helping other women feel beautiful. What was the moment you were inspired to take full control of your future? When I was 19 years old, I had my first baby. It was then that I had realized I had to work for something greater, I finished beauty school and took my craft very seriously. That’s when I started to grow my own clientele as a hairstylist and makeup artist. What advice do you have for other Latina females who want their voices to be heard in the community? We all have the gift to be able to inspire and cause a butterfly effect in this community. To inspire and be heard from my experience, you must find what you believe in and really go hard for it. Connecting with other people from our community and sharing your views on what you stand for can really go a long way.  What is your theory on human potential?  I believe humans have unlimited potential. That’s why it’s important to feed your mind positive thoughts to develop unlimited beliefs about yourself and your potential.  What is your opinion on the fact that Latina women are the most underpaid demographic in the United States: The fact that Latina women are the most underpaid should be fuel for us to continue to open our own businesses and create opportunities for each other.  What fuels your ambition? Multiple factors fuel my ambition, family, my heritage, and the women that look up to me fuel my ambition. I want to be able to break the curses that have been subconsciously feeding into us. That “we are not worthy of a certain level of success” or that we have to “work for somebody else in order to create something stable for our families”. Who do you admire as a leader? Anyone that beats the odds in my eyes is a leader. I admire those who speak their truth and continue to enforce what they believe in to empower others. What is your vision for your business? My Husband, David Muniz, and I, just opened our new business together called ELEVATE PERMANENT MAKEUP STUDIO LLC at 207 Niagara Street. This place is very special to us because it’s the same location my mother opened her shop10 years ago and it’s also my grandfather’s building. Our vision is to continue to service our clients with quality service and eventually expand our team. I will also start my permanent makeup courses this year to be able to help others get