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Latina HerStory

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Aileen Marti , Manager, Older Adult Program WS Community Services “Projections” are defined as forecasts of a future situation, like when we try to guess which of our cousins will get the biggest rice and beans plate from Abuela or the extra Pegao. I like to inform my personal projections with lunch (at least) then data, good data, from solid sources, I deem reputable. I hope that #Latinaherstory is one of those solid sources for you. This spring, our “focus” words will be defined here in our community and then redefined in reality as you experience them with our #latinaherstory definitions as anchors. Along with definitions, offering a necessary layer of data from industry and academic reports to frame our individual experiences, we hope to intentionally contribute to our community discernment when choosing cosas like products, news, places, leaders, churches, cars, music, teams, and whatever else we want to #invest our time, streams, energy, and “likes” into. Shared vocabularies inspire future growth. As a Latina community, who we are and what is important to us influences our shopping. And our dollars say so, as we Latinos shop with purpose. According to McKinsey and Company, Latinos are conscious of our impact, choosing brands that value the environment and their employees, which makes us unique. Shopping trends and numbers have a huge economic impact over time, as the U.S. Census indicates over 1 in 4 Americans are likely to be Latino by 2060. In 2060, 3.4 million of the older adult population will be Latinos, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. And time is face cream and money, baby (New York Accent). We have infinite options as we decide how to support older members of our community and ourselves. Firstly, depending on how we feel: con cafe con pan or cafe solo, lol. As we know, #latinas are culturally diverse but face common statistical realities. Commonalities bring us closer to the dinner table of life, and Latinaherstory is ringing the dinner bell. While we need data, shared vocabularies, and humor to thrive through creative problem-solving in the carpool/school drop-off lane of life, our most valuable resources are our tias, abuelas, and mothers and their infinite wisdom that smells like fresh her perfect laundry and the hug you needed. Centering on quotes of #Latina wisdom, this month our quote belongs to Aileen Marti of Buffalo, New York, NEW Older Adult Program Manager at West Side Community Services of Buffalo, a bustling nonprofit full of diverse peoples and cultures, as a leader, Aileen states: “Let’s celebrate their lives, as much as we celebrate ours.”  She brings her passion for life through artistry, leadership, and working with our older adults. Back to you this March as you decide which STEAM programs, summer camps, daycares, senior programs, nonprofits, and or businesses you are trusting with your summer plans and or as you are starting, running, or supporting your own any of the above think of Aileen and her #latinaherstory wisdom, add in a couple shakes of data (approximately “no mucho”), add your prayers, and maybe call your Tia who has been waiting to hear from you or actually ask your older neighbor, “Dona qué piensas.”  At Westside Community Services, Aileen is asking that question and informing programming with feedback directly from the source, our elders. As we plan for our community at large, first individually, we must project our household summer expenses to master the spring season. You will join the rest of us sneaking in our extra #makeup that we need legitimately. Check our scholarship tab for Latina-specific scholarships and more information about organizations like West Side Community Services, which we LOVE and give back. As we look forward to El Verano, projections are necessary. 111 days away from March 01st. Amen. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology Latina HerStory March 4, 2024/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More Data resilience February 5, 2024/1 Comment What is your mother’s favorite song? The answer is par of her “consumer profile”, and part of her consumer data.… Read More Justice Sandra Day O’Connor January 1, 2024/15 Comments Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court, passed away on December 1, 2023,… Read More Load More End of Content.

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A MAN OF CHARACTER: REMEMBERING JOE MARCINIAK

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Nothing makes you question your mortality more than seeing someone you’ve known for most of your life pass on and join the ancestors. When the one who passed away was still so full of life and still had much to offer this world, it makes you question the fairness of it all. On Saturday, Feb. 17th, a service was held for one of our own, Joseph Marciniak, who passed away on Super Bowl Sun., Feb. 11th, at the age of 52. Knowing Joe and the type of reach he had with people in Buffalo and beyond, I wasn’t surprised by the amount of people who showed up to send him off. It  was quite impressive. Joe Marciniak was a man whose impact on those around him was immeasurable. His legacy is one of character, a quality often overlooked in today’s society. Though many in Buffalo, particularly on the West Side may have known Joe and his brother Brian Marciniak for the numerous Freestyle music concerts they have promoted over the years, I knew Joe and his family from having grown up across the street from their family home on 85 West Avenue (Lower West Side). I will be turning 46 this year and for as long as I can remember, I have always known the Marciniak/Jamieson family, and as I gave my eulogy on February 17th, a great number of the memories I shared were centered on remembering Joe as a man of character and someone many of us looked up to. Whenever I think of my father, I can’t help but think of a memory tied to Joe Marciniak. In the weeks after my father passed away, just a week and a half before Christmas 2002, I ran into Joe Marciniak in front of the Marciniak/Jamieson home on West Avenue, just across the street from my own family home. Joe and I talked about my dad, and one thing that always stayed with me from that conversation was when he said my father had “character.” At the time, my young, jaded mind didn’t understand what he meant by this, as to know my father, Joe the Barber, was to know he was quite the character, however, Joe corrected me and stated “he was a man of character” and explained why. I think about these words whenever I think about my dad and try to live up to them. I have Joe Marciniak to thank for helping me understand what “character” really meant. He was a natural teacher; it wasn’t a surprise when he passed away to read numerous messages about the mark he left on so many as a teacher at McKinley High. His legacy will forever live on. Knowing how well-versed in history he was and wanting to pass on that knowledge at his alma mater which also happens to be my alma mater, McKinley High, solidified the type of character he possessed. When many wouldn’t have wanted to take up that type of challenge, teaching inner city youth, Joe took it head on and left his mark. He was a man of high character and I’m grateful to have known and looked up to him as a young man growing up on the Lower West Side. As a man in my mid-forties, I feel a sense of comfort knowing I can look up to the sky knowing that another man of character is up there inspiring many who knew them. Thank you, Joe, for teaching me what it meant to be a man of character. If only we all could live by the example you set. Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology A MAN OF CHARACTER: REMEMBERING JOE MARCINIAK March 4, 2024/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More BRIDGING DIVIDES: CHALLENGES IN UNITY WITHIN BUFFALO’S LATINO COMMUNITY February 6, 2024/2 Comments It has been well over a year since I returned to Buffalo New York, after spending the previous twelve years… Read More RESILIENCE AMIDST TRAGEDY: ONE YEAR LATER, REFLECTING ON THE BUFFALO CHRISTMAS BLIZZARD OF 2022 January 1, 2024/7 Comments As the Christmas season ends and a New Year is upon us, I can’t help but reflect on the difference… Read More Load More End of Content.

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FRUITS OF MY LABOR

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Recently, I’ve thought a lot about the saying: “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.” In Swahili, the proverb “Asiye funzwa na mamae hufunzwa na ulimwengu” means roughly the same: “Whomsoever is not taught by the mother will be taught with the world.” When I consider the circumstances surrounding my finding out that I was going to have another child and the series of events that played out leading me to go on the path alone again, I was not certain if the village was going to be supportive.  Initially, I was happy and then I was put under pressure and decided under duress. A decision that I’m so grateful that I did not carry forth. I had faith that I would and could raise another child as I did with my daughter, AAliyah, who was then 9-years old. (See Part 1, Feb. 2024, page 3) Months later I told Aaliyah that I was giving her something she had been asking for many years for her “Birthday.” Her response, when I asked her to guess what she thought that would be, she said “A pony?” Turns out it was not a Pony! It was a sibling! That sibling finally arrived five days after her 10th Birthday, and it was a baby boy. We had decided to name him with a male version of my first name, and her last name with a middle name meaning ‘Founded in Peace’: Asheem JahRuleSalem Ali.  Having children ten year apart was surreal for me, but I had a few close friends that assured me that Asheem was the “community’s baby”, and it’s been that way ever since. As Aheem’s 12th “BornDay” approached, and I reflected on our lives, I realized that he is not only interested in many things, but he is passionate and good with his many extra-curricular activities! He’s present in all the Villages he’s been fortunate to be a part of: Hybrid Ninja Academy/716 Ninja, Independent Health Soccer for Success, Police Athletic League, Buffalo Swim Project/Buffalo Tide Competitive Swim Team, Women Against Violence Everywhere, 716 Rollers Skating Mentoring on Wheels Program, The Galactic Tribe/Wakanda Alliance Program, Wealth in Health Family Garden, Boundless Unschooling Academy/Homeschool Library Club, The School of Two Hearts, The Folksy House, The Arts Are For All (Piano), Amor and Heritage Dance Company, Hispanic Heritage Council (Guitar Initiative), Nancy Fernandez’s Royal Taekwon-Do Academy, Ogbe Aiye’s Juche Taekwon-Do, Ten X Shooting Club, and most recently, added Stellar Dreams Program, Junior Astronomers, and the Cheektowaga Soccer Club Open Gym (and possibly travel team if time permits)! Since my recent car accident where I not only suffered physical injuries, but complete loss of a vehicle that has yet to be replaced, I’ve seen the community village concept shine bright as a diamond.  Special Gratitude is extended to the uncrowned Queens and Kings: AAliyah Mya, Jacqueline Bontzolakes, Miracle Reed-McCoy, Kat Makin, Annette Gutierrez, Fragrance Harris Stanfield, Latoya Reid, Trina Hamilton, Dale Lum and David White. Without you all, Asheem would not have made it to many (or any) of these homeschool co-ops, trainings, rehearsals, or competitions.  I’ll close out by saying — as parents, we don’t know everything. What we do KNOW is our children; and what we can find out from them is that they are talented and gifted. Our diligence in finding this out will lead us to find our tribes! Whether that’s one tribe or nineteen tribes, these are people and organizations that LOVE what they do and they Love Children! Once you find them, then they will help in guiding you and your children so that we Don’t Have to Know or Do It ALL! The bonds that are formed and the lasting friendships developed will help keep your children yearning to be the best they can be, be pleasing and accountable for their actions for years to come.  Ultimately, because we can’t be and do all things ALONE – he/she who is not taught by the mother/father is taught by the world! ÀSÉ!  Read More From This Writer All Post Art Books & Poems Business Column Community Community News Education Entertainment español Food & Culture Health Interviews Media Military & Veterans Music Peace People Politics Sports Technology FRUITS OF MY LABOR March 4, 2024/No Comments Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Read More… Read More FRUITS OF MY LABOR PART ONE February 5, 2024/No Comments Peace, EVERYONE! I was unfortunately not able to submit this article last month. But I trust you will enjoy my… Read More The Good Friend – El Buen Amigo: SANTIAGO MASFERRER December 18, 2023/3 Comments For the final issue of the year, I wanted to spotlight an individual who has a business that we all… Read More Load More End of Content.

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