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    afro-latino-festival-2015

    Here’s Why You Should Attend NYC’s Afro-Latino Festival

    July 7, 2015
    / Blog, Featured /
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    (Image: Afro-Latino Festival)

    The Afro-Latino Festival of New York, taking place July 10-12, celebrates the contributions that afro-descendientes from Latin America and the Caribbean have made to NYC and the larger community. In its third year, the festival gathers academics, artists, entrepreneurs, thought leaders and change agents from the community and beyond to highlight issues and values important to the Afro-Latino community.  Attendees can expect artistic showcases, culinary presentations and panels, to name a few of this weekend’s happenings.

    Here are four reasons you should attend this year’s Afro-Latino Festival NYC:

    1) Come celebrate the kickoff at the Opening Night Gala. In addition to bites and sips, you’ll get to mix and mingle with fellow attendees, enjoy live performances from the likes of the Fat Afro Latin Jazz Cats, art exhibitions and the awards ceremony. We’d like to congratulate our founder Janel Martinez along with Randal Archibold, New York Times Bureau Chief, Mexico, Central America & the Caribbean; Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Caribbean Cultural Center & African Diaspora Institute; Willie Perdomo, author of “The Essential Hits of Shorty Bon Bon,” and Robert J. Rodriguez, New York State Assemblyman 68th District.

    2) That leads to our next point…there will be no shortage of performances! We’re talking Les Nubians, Kafu Banton, Danay Suarez, Profetas, Los Hacheros, Bombazo Dance Company, Chop and Quench “The Fela Band!” and Que Bajo?! Don’t miss out!

    3) Screenings. The AfrolatinosTV documentary premiere at Williamsburg Music Center (367 Bedford Ave, New York, NY 11211) is happening on Saturday; in collaboration with Summerstage and Imagenation Cinema Foundation there will be a screening of “Celia: The Queen.”

    4) When else do we all get to celebrate our cultura? Whether you’re constantly immersed in your culture or not, this is the time of year in Nueva York when you can count on celebrating the Afro-Latino identity unapologetically. It’s our time to love and celebrate us.

    Will you be attending the Afro-Latino Festival? To get your tickets and see the full schedule, visit the official AfroLatino Festival website. Let us know if you’ll be attending in the comments section below.

     

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    #FridayFind: RocksBox Brings Designer Jewelry to Your Doorstep

    June 26, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Lifestyle /
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    Ain’t I Latina? founder Janel ‘unboxing’ her first RocksBox delivery (Image: Janel Martinez)

    Ain’t I Latina? is launching a weekly series where our founder, Janel Martinez, highlights some of her favorite finds. Whether it’s a tech gadget or a new restaurant, she’s letting you know what to expect from her latest finds.

    When it comes to accessories, I like unique pieces—items that likely have a sentimental value to them. If you check out my jewelry box, you’ll find an item or two gifted by my abuela, or maybe a ring I’ve had for over a decade. Everything has a meaning!

    So when I discovered RocksBox, I was curious to see how they could choose a selection of items catering to my exact jewelry needs. RocksBox, a subscription service for designer jewelry, provides its members with a highly curated box of jewelry with the option to borrow, buy or swap at any time. RocksBox features more than 30 wonderful designers, including Kendra Scott, House of Harlow, Gorjana, and Loren Hope.

    I received my first box earlier this month and RocksBox got it right with what they picked for me. I received the A.V. Max Caged Ring in Gold, Gorjana Wishbone Studs and a sparkly favorite, Perry Street Gemma Studs.  The entire set is worth approximately $200. The packaging was very cute, but the jewels inside even cuter. I’ve worn my A.V. Max ring everyday since it’s arrived, so it might be one I decided to keep. What’s great about that is if I choose to keep it, I get it for the Insider’s Price, which is $36.  A steal!

    If you want to try a selection of new pieces, RocksBox gives you just that for $19 a month. Once you’ve had your share of time with your new items, you can send them back to get your next box.

    RocksBox-Gorjana-Studs

    I’m a studs girl, so this was welcomed with open arms (Image: Janel Martinez)

    Here’s how it works:

    Visit the RocksBox website and take the style survey. After answering several questions surrounding your jewelry preferences, you can add items to your wish list.

    Get your RocksBox! You’ll then receive your box with three pieces to wear on loan. As RocksBox promises, “each piece is hand-selected for you based on your style and specific requests.”

    More jewels, less problems: Return your RocksBox set at any time to get three new pieces.  You can do so as often as you like, too.

    Since I have lots of love for my readers, I want you to be able to try RocksBox for free! When you sign up, use the code aintilatinaxoxo . This will get you a one-month free trial of RocksBox.

    Let us know what you think in the comments section, below.

     

     

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    ‘The Black Latina Movement’ Founder Crystal Roman On Importance of Identity in Acting

    June 23, 2015
    / Blog, Everyday Chica, Featured /
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    Crystal Roman, founder and CEO of The Black Latina Movement

    This week, we’re featuring CEO and founder of The Black Latina Movement Crystal Roman. The actress, innovator and mother of two caught up with Ain’t I Latina?  to discuss why she started The Black Latina Movement, why she prefers the term Black Latina and what audiences can expect this fall. 

    Ain’t I Latina?:  Crystal, you’ve been at the forefront of content creators who are making sure the Afro-Latina story is being told. What inspired you to create The Black Latina Movement in 2008?

    Roman: The Movement totally chose me. It was a snowball effect. I was an actress at that time for about seven years, and I wanted to get into writing. I wrote what is now the company’s signature piece Black Latina (The Play) as an outlet of my frustration of being in an industry that boxed actresses into categories based on a look. That along with my own personal plight of this dual identity really created the platform for the success of the play, which in turn sparked the creation of the Movement as a company.

    As an actress, you’ve experienced firsthand the bias that exists when it comes to representation of Afro-Latinas. Oftentimes directors don’t cast Afro-Latinas in the ‘Latina’ role, only African-American roles. How have you dealt with that sort of discrimination? How has it fueled your work?

    I can completely relate because the opposite was often done to me. I am of olive complexion, so automatically I would get cast for a ‘Latina’ role knowing that there may be an African-American role I could play and bring to life. But because of my look, I wouldn’t get considered for the role. So the problem definitely existed the other way around with other Afro-Latinas not cast for African-American roles. I have combated this by intentionally going against the rules. Casting actresses that don’t fit this ‘typical’ mold the industry places on us.

    You’ve released a selection of theatrical work, including Black Latina, Memoirs of a Black Latina and Colors of Love, which turned into a web series. How is the Afro-Latina experience weaved throughout each work?

    Memoirs of a Black Latina is a film adaption of the stage play Black Latina. Black Latina discusses head on the social and economical highs and lows of this double identity. Colors of Love is a more visual piece, while it doesn’t deal with the socioeconomic issues as Black Latina, Colors of Love gives Black Latina women/actresses the opportunity to see themselves in front of the camera as the main characters dealing with issues women across the board deal with.

    Recently, you and I spoke about the importance of highlighting intersectionality. Why do you feel it’s so important for people to understand that all Latinas aren’t the same?

    It’s important because then and only will the world understand who we really are. When you present a face that only represents a portion of the community, it causes a ripple effect that has deep rooted scars. Self loathing and hatred seeps in and dissatisfaction of underrepresentation in the media forces young girls to question their beauty and value. Leaving the sentiment that the Latina that is displayed more is the better representation of the group. It’s this old slave mentality and brainwashing to flush out the ‘blackness’ and show the lighter, ‘better’ versions of Latinas. Once people understand our diversity, they can learn the broad spectrum of just what really is a Black Latina. Love it, embrace it and carry on! This is far from easy, but the process has to start somewhere.

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    PHOTOS: ‘The Edible Bazaar Benefit’ Celebrates African Cuisine

    June 16, 2015
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    Ain’t I Latina? founder Janel Martinez and correspondent Francis Carrero hit the town on Tuesday, June 9 for New York African Restaurant Week’s signature event, The Edible Baazar Benefit. Co-sponsored by Edible Magazine and Uber, attendees gathered at Taj II for an evening filled with yummy bites and great drinks. Hosts Namo and Makho entertained the crowd and MC’d the awards ceremony. The awards went to JJ Johnson of The Cecil  for Chef of the Year; the Ouedraogo family, of Silvana/Shrine/Yatenga, received Restauranteur of the Year; and Yaf Boye-Flaegel of the ASB Foundation for Community Leader of the Year.

    Take a look at some of the pictures from The Edible Bazaar Benefit:

     

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    Embrace Her Legacy Founder Maria Melendez Encourages Women to Live Their Purpose

    June 11, 2015
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    Embrace Her Legacy founder Maria Melendez.

    This week, we’re featuring passionpreneur Maria Melendez. On the heels of the release of Mendez’s book, “Take the Limits Off Your Legacy: A Woman’s Guide to Unlock Purpose and Vision,” the Brooklyn, New York native spoke with Ain’t I Latina? about self-love, living your legacy and why her mama is her inspiration.

    Ain’t I Latina?: You’re the founder of Embrace Her Legacy, a company that empowers women and girls to live in their purpose, give birth to their dreams and define their legacy. What inspired you to start your empowerment-focused company?

    Melendez: I believe that I have been called to empower and inspire others. That’s essentially what inspired me to start my own empowerment-focused company and I know that I am living in my purpose by doing so. Growing up I had to overcome a lot of challenges when it came to self-worth, so, once I learned from all of my mistakes, I always knew I wanted to help other women and girls overcome their challenges in order to achieve a life and legacy they want, not one they feel like they have to settle for. I also had someone take the time to invest in to me. She became my first mentor and, because of her, I always felt that it was my priority to invest in the lives of other women and girls.

    I’d identify you as a passionpreneur. You’ve been very candid about your journey and how you’ve overcome personal roadblocks, even deciding to step out on faith to leave your job working in the music industry. When did you decide it was the right time to resign and live out your dream of starting Embrace Her Legacy?

    In all transparency, I was becoming someone I did not know or like when I was an employee at the record label. I had become miserable and it was because I knew I had other desires and that was very difficult to accept. My career in the music business was a dream, one that I wanted since I was a teenager. However, I also always knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. The transition to go from employee to entrepreneur came much sooner than I expected but I knew that I was being called to do greater things, so I faithfully answered my call and quit my job. I could have continued on in my career in the music business, but I was at a point where I was fed up and I wanted a change, so in April of 2012 I walked away and never looked back, which was the best decision I have ever made.

    What are your three tips to conquering one’s fear?

    This is a personal question for me, I walk by faith and believe in God and His almighty power. So, the first tip is to live in faith by trusting God’s plan and love for you. God can do what you cannot and trust that what He has called you for, He has gifted you for.

    The second tip is to change your thinking. Many of our fears are internal fears, which are imagined fears that play out in our mind. Once the fear is planted in the mind, we begin to speak words of fear and those words lead to actions rooted in fear. Those actions can lead to our destiny. If you have thoughts that are rooted in fear, change the channel on your thoughts and refuse to meditate on fearful thoughts because what you make room for in your life, you empower to grow. Be conscious of your thoughts and switch thoughts of fear to thoughts of victory and faith.

    My third tip is to live in expectancy and gratitude. You will attract what you believe, so expect to succeed, expect to accomplish your goals, expect to attract opportunities. Give thanks for things happening before you can actually see them manifesting. Also be thankful for how far you have come. Gratitude goes such a far way and we have to learn to give gratitude where we can.

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    Lupita Nyong’o Covers MujerHoy June 2015

    June 4, 2015
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    Oscar Award winning actress Lupita Nyong’o graces the cover of MujerHoy ‘s June 2015 issue.  The Madrid-based glossy made the certified red-carpet twirler and talented actress this month’s cover girl.

    Lupita, we’re twirling with joy!

    Lupita-Nyongo-MujerHoy-June-2015

    Actress Lupita Nyong’o is MujerHoy’s June 2015 cover girl (Image: MujerHoy)

     

    What was your favorite Lupita twirl moment? Share it with us in the comments section. 

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    WATCH: ‘Devious Maids’ Star Dania Ramirez Shares Her Parents’ Immigrant Journey

    June 2, 2015
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    Dania Ramirez shares family’s immigration story (Image: Welcome.Us)

    Dominican actress Dania Ramirez spoke with MSNBC’s Jose Diaz-Balart about her family’s story in a recently released short documentary, “An American Alien.” Ramirez, who co-directed and starred in the doc, spoke candidly with her parents, Agueda Camacho and Daniel Ramirez, her sisters and family members about their experience being immigrants to the United States.

    Whether you immigrated to this country or are first- or second-generation, the video, which was released in time for June’s Immigrant Heritage Month, is one many can relate to.

    “El sueño americano de nosotros está en ustedes,” said Ramirez’s mother. (“Our American Dream lives within you.”)

    Like many who’ve immigrated to the States, Ramirez’s parents left their beloved Dominican Republic in search of a better life. “We had to leave you [girls] behind so that I could come here in pursuit of a dream,” she says. Ramirez wasn’t reunited with her parents until the age of 10, something she and her sister discuss within the video.

    “The misconception of an immigrant in America is that we’re not productive members of society,” says Ramirez.

    The doc, as well as Ramirez’s widely successful career, shows that’s far from the truth.  See it below:

    What is your immigrant story? Share it with us in the comments section.

    (For more stories, visit the Immigrant Heritage Month website.)

     

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    4 Career & Life Lessons from Cosmo for Latinas Editor-in-Chief Michelle Herrera Mulligan

    May 23, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Mi mundo /
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    Cosmo for Latinas EIC Michelle Herrera Mulligan gives keynote address at Rising Moxie Conference – May 16. (Image: @HigherEdLatinas|Twitter)

    It’s graduation season and there’s tons of career, life and leadership advice circulating the web. Tips on nailing your first post-grad gig, or finding the right graduate school, and staying positive in the thick of life’s latest transition, as well as how to navigate the very valuable alumni network.  The latest surge in advice inspired me to think about what advice really worked for me after walking across the big stage.

    But I didn’t have to search too far for major life gems. Career and networking site Be Moxie and Latinas in Higher Education hosted their inaugural Rising Moxie Conference, a full-day event for high school girls and their parents, introducing them to the financial aid process, SAT and ACT preparation, and career paths, among other higher ed topics. To kick off the conference, Cosmopolitan for Latinas Editor-in-Chief Michelle Herrera Mulligan spoke candidly about lessons she’s learned growing up and throughout her career. Here are five life-changing gems for conquering career, life y más.

    Dream Big

    At some point when we grow up, we regulate our dreams. We stop thinking that we can achieve the impossible or, as I see it, what we put our mind to.  Many entrepreneurs possess the ability to dream big—the bigger, the better. So what if others think it’s unattainable, you have the vision and skills to make it happen. Go for it! 


    Fail Forward

    When you fail forward, you learn from that failure. If you learned from a failure, it’s technically not a failure.  Failure and missteps create leaders.

    Just Ask

    How many times has pride or insecurity gotten in the way of someone asking for support? Far too many times to count—believe that! But think about what happens when you just open yourself up, take that risk and ask for whatever it is that you need. Oftentimes, we get a “yes” when we thought we’d get a “no.” And even if we get a “no,” it’s “no” for now, not necessarily forever.

     

    Do What You Love

    Sounds cliché but this is the realest advice I’ve received. It was a theme weaved throughout Michelle’s talk. With student loans, big moves and bills, a check seems like it’ll fulfill all of your needs. However, if you’re not passionate about what you’re doing, you’ll grow to hate your job and that check. Trust, follow your passion and the money will come. (Sacrifice may be involved but the payoff is more than a monetary return.)

    What advice would you give to your 20-something self? Let us know in the comments section.

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    Mani Mamí Launches in Honduras

    May 11, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Mi mundo /
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    In November 2014, I had an idea. I didn’t know how I would execute it, but, like many things, I was determined to make it happen. I wanted to launch an initiative for women in communities similar to the one my family came from. Mani Mamí was born.

    You might be wondering, why nails? What’s that got to do with anything? Well, ladies, don’t you enjoy getting a nice manicure/pedicure? I know I do! However, in certain areas of the world, that luxury (or as I like to call it “me time”) isn’t as freely available. I wanted to recreate that experience for women in rural areas of Latin America.

    With my parents being from an area of Honduras called Colón, I decided to make that my first stop. I’m happy to announce that our Ain’t I Latina?’s Mani Mamí event launched on May 2.

    I have to send a special shout out to the CURLS team (especially founder and the all-around awesome Mahisha Dellinger for providing products from the Kynx line—i am Fierce refreshing leave in moisturizer, i am Unique texture defining gel, and i am Free miracle kink cream—and several “CURLS Girls Rule The World” T-shirts. Roughly 50 women and girls gathered beachside to paint their nails, as well as receive free CURLS products.

    I’m still on a high from the gathering and find it hard to capture the feeling in words. I’m looking forward to expanding Mani Mamí, bringing it to other areas of Central and South America. Here are a few pictures from the event:

    Also have to thank my family for the  major support on this. My mother and father for providing on-site assistance; my tio Herman for providing the venue; and cousin, Noli, for helping me to get the word out. Love my squad!

     

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    Back Like I Never Left: Rediscovering Honduras

    April 28, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Mi mundo /
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    (Image: La Ceiba, Honduras)

    It’s been a few years, but I’m sooo excited to be back in Honduras. I’ve been here for a couple of days and I’m loving the warm weather, amazing food (on a consistent plátano diet) and family time. It really doesn’t get any better than this, I’m convinced.

    I’m happy to report that my Spanglish is taking me a looong way. However, my Spanish skills have been upgraded in the few days I’ve been here. More to come on this.
    Roatán has been relaxing. La Ceiba a friendly reminder that no matter the city, we’re all just trying to eat. The hustle is real no matter where you go.
    I have lots to report and share, but going to wait until I get back to the states. Hope you all will follow Ain’t I Latina? on social media (@aintilatina) where we’ll share updates and more content.
    Until we e-meet, again, te veo!
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