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    rolls-eyes-y-tu-novio-season

    How to Handle ¿Y tu novio? Season

    November 26, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Lifestyle /
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    rolls-eyes-y-tu-novio-season

    (Image: wifflegif.com)

    Today’s Thanksgiving, the start of the holiday season. Not only is it a time to gather with family and friends, as well as enjoy great eats (already dreaming of pernil, empanadas y tamales), it’s a chance for everyone to catch up. Naturally, conversations will flow from work and new opportunities to who you’re dating. Latinas, you know what that means!

    Enter the expected pregunta: ¿Y tu novio?’  * inserts lengthy sigh *

    Buzzfeed recently released a video that perfectly captures the internal conversation and fam reactions when you return home without a partner. Watch the video, below:

    For those of us who may anticipate the questions, here are four possible responses to ¿y tu novio?:

    dance-y-tu-novio-season

    (Image: www.madrideasy.com)

    Baila!

    Grab the closest person to you and start dancing. Weird? Not really. We love music and if it’s Juan Luis Guerra, La Banda Gorda or any favorite cantante, you’re good.

    who-wants-wine-y-tu-novio-season

    (Image: two-rays-of-sunshine.tumblr.com)

    Pour up

    Grab the closest bottle of liquor and begin offering drinks. The question will go from your boyfriend to more pressing matters: Whether or not you’re pouring more brugal or coquito.

    rihanna_y-tu-novio-season

    (Image: www.breatheheavy.com)

    #ClapBack

    Wait, what happened to your boo?

    Prepare yourself for the rebuttal. You know tia don’t play that!

    keep-it-100-y-tu-novio-season

    (Image: Giphy.com)

    Keep it 100.

    Honesty is the best policy. Who knows? Maybe your primo/a will tell a friend to tell a friend that you’re on the market. And if you’re not looking, then tell your family you’re good.

    All the single ladies, how do you handle this question? Share your best responses in the comments section. 

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    Janelby-Ramirez-Coming-From-America

    Afro-Dominicana Janelby Ramirez On Studying Abroad & ‘Coming From America’

    November 23, 2015
    / Blog, Everyday Chica, Featured /
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    Janelby-Ramirez-Coming-From-America

    (Image: Janelby Ramirez)

    Living abroad can be an eye-opening experience. Inspired by her decision to relocate and pursue a master’s degree abroad, Janelby Ramirez launched Coming From America, an original series on FearlessLeon.com. Ramirez, 27, takes us through her journey—the good, the bad and the ugly—as she navigates new cultures and experiences.

    This week, we’re featuring Ramirez, who currently lives in Denmark, as our “Everyday Chica.” La dominicana spoke with Ain’t I Latina? about Coming From America, identity through a European lens and living fearlessly.

    Ain’t I Latina?: You’re the creator of Coming from America, a series on FearlessLeon.com that follows you as you pursue your master’s degree in Europe. What inspired you to start chronicling your experience?

    Ramirez: I have always wanted to create stories, and I think that I’m in the perfect position to tell amazing stories right now because I am traveling so much. I actually remember the exact moment I thought of Coming From America… I was walking with two of my colleagues one night, one Polish girl and one Romanian guy. We were all talking and making jokes, and while Snapchatting us, the hashtag #comingfromamerica just came to my head, as a subtle way of acknowledging how awesome it is that I can have this opportunity to be around such different people! After that simple Snapchat post, my mind started roaming and I got the urge to create a series based on my experience.

    Coming From America is a manifestation of the FearlessLeon mantra, “living life fearlessly.” How has your experience abroad helped you to live life fearlessly?

    To me, living fearlessly doesn’t necessarily mean not ever being afraid. I get scared all the time, it’s a part of being human. To me, living fearlessly means to be conscious of your humanity and accept that sometimes you’re going to be afraid but, despite that awareness, you still follow your heart. Your faith in yourself and in the universe has to be greater than the fear you have because your soul is greater than your human existence. Living and studying abroad has completely validated my thoughts on being fearless. When you leave everything behind and disrupt any notion of comfort or security, that is a fearless act in and of itself, and so all of the events that have occurred from the moment I chose to do that have all been the consequence of fearlessness… and I have loved every good, bad, and ugly second.

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

    1. Be aware that conquering fear is not a one time solution. It is a process that takes self love and hard work, everyday. You have to be in it for the long haul, there isn’t any quick fix.

    2. Trust and love yourself, above all else. I recently watched Dr. Brene Brown speak about trust where she quoted the late great Maya Angelou by saying, “I don’t trust people who don’t love themselves, and tell me ‘I love you’.” Self-love is about self-trust. When you trust yourself, you can rely on the fact that you are doing what you think is in your best interest because you love YOU. When you can hold yourself accountable for your own actions, you’re in a better position to allow fearlessness into your life.

    3. Know when to ask for help. We subconsciously ask for advice or help when we want to hear what we already know. It’s important to ask for help when you really need it, and not when your gut is already telling you what is in your best interest. Always follow your gut. It’s all about energy, and it’s precious. When you ask for someone’s energy in the form of help, it should be used in the most efficient way possible. Allowing yourself to be vulnerable to someone else is a fearless act in and of itself, and opening that door will make it a bit easier to conquer that fear you’ve been wanting to work on.

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    Angeley-Crawford-Define-Black

    Must Watch: Angeley Crawford Explains Black Latino Identity in America

    November 12, 2015
    / Blog, Everyday Chica, Featured /
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    Angeley-Crawford-Define-Black

    (Image: Angeley Crawford, Define: Black// Screenshot)

    What exactly does it mean to be Black in America?

    Video series, Define: BLACK, is exploring what it means to be Black in America in 2015. The series includes the personal stories of 15 people.  It’s where we meet Angeley Crawford.

    Crawford, a Black woman of Costa Rican descent, shares her experiences growing up in the predominantly Puerto Rican neighborhood of Bushwick in Brooklyn, New York.

    “My understanding of being Black within the context of Costa Rica was never negative,” said Crawford, who mentions Limón, Costa Rica, which is known for its African and Caribbean presence. “Coming here, being in Bushwick, to be Black and to be Hispanic, or to be Latino, never the two shall meet. That’s when I realized, Oh wow, I am Black and I’m strange Black because I’m a Black person who speaks Spanish.”

    See video, below:

    What Was It Like to Grow Up Afro-Latino in Buschwick?

    The belief that Black and Latino are mutually exclusive is a harsh, hurtful blanket assumption that blatantly dismisses the Afro-Latino identity. In this installment of #DefineBLACK, Angeley Crawford shares her experience growing up Costa Rican in pre-hipster Bushwick, BK and the otherness that came with it.

    Posted by Define: BLACK. on Monday, November 9, 2015

    For many Afro-Latinos, it’s a story they know all to well. One that reflects colorism, exclusion and pelo and identity politics. Crawford felt as though she didn’t belong, which led her to connect more to her Black heritage.

    “I just didn’t fit anywhere in the context of a Puerto Rican/Dominican neighborhood. At that moment, I made the conscious decision to say, ‘Well, I’m just not going to be Latina anymore,'” she admitted in the video.

    Crawford’s narrative is yet another reminder of the importance of discussing race and ethnicity not just in America, but also across the globe.

    Have you watched Define: BLACK’s video feature with Angeley? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section.

     

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    Talk-to-the-hand

    Dear ‘Saturday Night Live,’ You Can’t Laugh This One Off

    November 7, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Mi mundo /
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    Talk-to-the-hand

    (Image: Miniskirts & Microphones)

    It’s been a few years since I’ve watched iconic NBC variety show Saturday Night Live in its entirety. However, news that billionaire business man-turned-Republican front-runner Donald Trump will host SNL is no less irritating and offensive.

     

    Trump has climbed the polls on a racist, misogynistic and xenophobic platform. The controversial candidate has insulted and belittled Latinos and women, among other groups, regularly. While Trump hasn’t effectively articulated his policies on education, the economy and foreign relations, he’s let us know time and time again his stance on immigration and race relations with every remark. Allow me to refresh your memory, briefly:

    April 14, 2011: “I have a great relationship with the Blacks.” (Via The Atlantic) 

     

    Nov. 25, 2014: “Sadly, because President Obama has done such a poor job as president, we won’t see another Black president for generations!” (Via Twitter)

     

    June 16, 2015: The U.S. has become a dumping ground for everybody else’s problems. When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us. They’re bringing drugs.  They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” (via Donald Trump Presidential Announcement)

     

    Now that you’ve gotten a taste, or reminder, of Trump’s comments, I’ll say this: Blame in the NBC-SNL-Trump debacle is less on Trump and more on the network. Trump is being Trump. Who many Latinos are pointing the finger at is NBC.

    It’s no secret Trump has a very good relationship with NBC. NBC has housed The Apprentice franchise since it launched in 2004. NBCUniversal publicly ended its ties with Trump in June after statements he made about immigrants (see above), replacing Trump with actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who will now host Celebrity Apprentice when the show returns in 2016.

    “Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump,” NBC said in a statement.  “At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values.”

    But what’s changed since June when NBC pressed pause on this longstanding relationship?

    Producers booked Trump before promo began, so this has been in the works for some time. While pulling Trump from the show week-of would likely upset his supporters and place a hole in SNL programming, it has me thinking, at what cost will we go for entertainment?

    Yes, many laugh at Trump’s ignorance. But from a comedic standpoint—one in which the show stands—I can’t see the value in placing him in numerous sketches. This is a 90-minute show and Trump playing Trump…ehh.

    Most importantly, however, is the blatant disregard for the power of protest. Yes, SNL can choose how it will respond to organized and digital disapproval, but protestors delivered more than 522,080 signatures to 30 Rock and SNL exec producer Lorne Michaels. Still nothing, no response.

    Organizers such as the National Hispanic Media Coalition and Campaign for Fair Latino Representation have been very vocal about Trump hosting SNL.

    “The problem is that Saturday Night Live is not a news organization,” said Alexander Nogales, president and CEO of NHMC.  “It is a cultural pop giant, and by having him on and Ha Ha Ha and Hee Hee Hee, all they’re doing is legitimatizing his views.”

    NBC has agency here to choose.

    The Latino viewer is super valuable for networks. There are more than 50 million Latinos living in the U.S. making us the single largest ethnic group, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Our purchasing power is over $1 million. If the feedback and jarring comments aren’t enough, this business figure is something SNL, NBC and its sponsors should pay great attention to.

    The hours after the show will be very telling for SNL and how it values the voice of diverse communities.

     

    Ain’t I Latina? asked you what you thought about Donald Trump hosting SNL. A majority of you that responded, 86%, voted to “Get him off SNL.” Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

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    Dove-Love-Your-Curls-Emojis-Ain't-I-Latina

    Curly Girls, We Now Have An Emoji

    November 4, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, News /
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    Dove-Love-Your-Curls-Emojis-Ain't-I-Latina

    Dove Love Your Curls Emojis (Image: Dove Hair)

    Yes, you read the headline right.

    Emojis are fast becoming a way to further our digital communication. Sounds silly, but 74% of people in the U.S. report using emojis daily, according to Swift Media. With emojis replacing popular statements and phrases, or embodying your exact emotions, what happens when you don’t see yourself reflected in the very tool you’re using?

    As a curly girl with a mashup of loose to coarse curls, I’m a part of the 1 in 3 women in the U.S. with curly hair. Nearly 80% of girls and women with curly hair feel existing emojis underrepresented their hair type, according to a Dove Hair study.

    So, why shouldn’t we have an emoji?

    Dove-Love-Your-Curls

    #LoveYourCurls (Image: Dove Hair)

    It’s something the popular personal care brand noticed. Today Dove Hair is launching the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis, the first emoji keyboard created to represent curly girls everywhere.  Developed in partnership with Snaps, the Dove Love Your Curls Emoji Keyboard will include 131 curly emoji variations and can be used in text and messenger systems such as SMS/text, Facebook and WhatsApp.

    “Dove Hair is committed to redefining traditional standards of beauty and ensuring women and girls see accurate reflections of themselves in the world around them, including, and especially, in digital and social media – which is why we’re so excited to introduce the Dove Love Your Curls Emojis,” said Rob Candelino, VP of Haircare at Unilever. “1 in 3 women in the United States have curly or wavy hair, yet there are zero images of these women today in the increasingly common language of emojis. That felt wrong to us, so we are fixing it and hope by doing so, we will continue inspiring all women to love their curls.”

    The Dove Love Your Curls Emojis are part of the brand’s ongoing Love Your Curls campaign, encouraging women to celebrate, love and take pride in their curly hair.

    To celebrate the launch, Dove Hair is partnering with Twitter so that each time you share a #LoveYourCurls moment, a custom curly-haired emoji will auto-generate within the tweet.

    The new keyboard is now available in App Store and Google Play.

    Have you used a Dove Love Your Curls emoji? Let us know what you think in the comments section.

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    WeAllGrowNYC-Latina-Bloggers-Connect

    Top 10 Lessons Learned At #WeAllGrowNYC

    November 3, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, Mi mundo /
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    Ain't-I-Latina-Janel-Martinez

    Ain’t I Latina? founder Janel Martinez at #WeAllGrowNYC on November 1, 2015.

    I’m always eager to learn and grow as a content creator. In the world of digital, things change drastically within seconds. A new digital platform is created, there’s a new analytics tool to try, or a new camera (a filter in some cases) promises to capture the best of your moments.

    Digital, specifically blogging changes real quick, very 0 to 100.

    So, I was excited to see that the #WeAllGrow Summit, the professional conference for Latinas in the digital space, powered by Latina Bloggers Connect, was hosting an event in New York City. Held at The Green Building in Brooklyn, #WeAllGrow NYC gathered roughly 75 Latinas together to learn, share and relationship build. Attendees had the opportunity to learn from the day’s mentors, which included Emmelie De La Cruz, founder of The Branding Muse; Enid Hwang, community manager at Pinterest; and Lisa Price, president and founder of Carol’s Daughter. We also heard from experience media professionals—Zuania Capó, editor in chief at Vivala.com, and Marie Chalita, social media director Vanidades USA + Cosmopolitan En Español. The event kicked off with a lovely brunch, sponsored by Pinterest, and a welcome address from Latina Bloggers Connect and #WeAllGrow founder Ana Flores.

    After spending the day listening to powerful talks and connecting with game changing Latinas, here are 10 tried-and-true tips on furthering your brand, listening to your audience and growing your readership:

    1. Humanize your brand. It’s the very reason blogs are a go-to destination for many. News outlets are designed to provide their readers with objective articles. Just the facts. However, blogs often provide readers with a first-person point of view of news, current events and culture, among other things. Keep it real with your readers. It’s why they come to you!  

     

    2. Speak with, not at your audience. Remember when mamá or whomever would talk at you as a kid, not letting you interject with your thoughts? This is very similar. Just with a social media spin. Engage in conversations with your readers and social media following.  

      3. Know your metrics. Metrics are how you know what content resonates with your readers, and what type of content your social media followers gravitate toward. You can get as specific as knowing what time of day people are clicking on articles or time spent on your site. Your metrics allows you to effectively communicate your numbers to brands and potential partners. What if your numbers aren’t super high? Emmelie advises you to look at where your audience is, and sell the engagement. A smaller number of followers, or subscribers, doesn’t mean your engagement is low. Your metrics will help you tell that story.

     

    4. Leverage the power of Pinterest. So many points here! Let me show you:

     

     

     

     

    5.  Tell your OWN story. Social media and digital platforms have allowed for greater access in telling one’s story. You have the power to create your own narrative, so use your respective platforms to do so.

     

    6.You are your brand.

    Understand this. You represent your brand in person and on the web.

    7. Find a partner. Sponsorship is great, but make sure it’s a partnership. Both parties should gain value from the business arrangement.

    8. New social media platform, new story. Don’t use the same strategy for each platform. They’re different for a reason. This allows you to tell your story in a new, attention-grabbing way.

    9. Trust in what you know. Tap into what you’re good at. You’ve always loved to cook and have a passion for creating delectable meals? Surely, someone that’s learning to cook would come to you for advice. Understand that what you know is valuable to others.

     

    10. Social listening is key.

    This point goes hand in hand with speaking with, not at your audience. Take the time to recognize what resonates with your audience and engage them in conversations based on your findings (better known as what they like/want).

    For more gems, visit the #WeAllGrowNYC hashtag.

    What content tips have worked for you? Share them with us in the comments section. 

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    breast-cancer-awareness-women

    Why Breast Cancer Awareness Can Save Latinas’ Lives

    October 30, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, News /
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    breast-cancer-awareness-women

    (Image: Cancer.org)

    Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Latina women. According to the American Cancer Society Facts & Figures for Hispanics/Latinos 2012-2014, 1 in 3 Latinas will be diagnosed with cancer.

    Anyone is at risk. However, early screenings can catch cancer before it spreads. When breast cancer is caught at an early stage, treatments are more likely to be successful.  While the exact cause(s) of breast cancer is not confirmed, factors that increase breast cancer risk include age, family history, early menarche (menstrual cycle), late menopause, postmenopausal obesity, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity, according to the abovementioned study.

    Ain’t I Latina? spoke with Desirée Berenguer Carton, Director of Media Relations at American Cancer Society, at PEOPLE en Español’s Festival in New York City. Berenguer-Carton shared how the 102-year-old organization is helping our community beat breast cancer.

    “Unfortunately, breast cancer affects so many people,” says Berenguer-Carton. “We have walks all across the country to raise awareness to make sure we’re raising funds to end breast cancer because we don’t want our loved ones to hear those words again that ‘you have cancer.’ We want to help finish this fight.”

    The American Cancer Society professional notes that the organization is available to support families in a variety of ways. “We offer free wigs, free makeup, [and] free rides to treatment,” she says. “We have Hope Lodges across the country.”

    Most importantly, stay on top of your health, she advises.

    “The biggest thing is to make sure you listen to your body. Know that you’re not alone,” says Berenguer-Carton. “Consult with your doctor on what’s best for you. Breast cancer has the most cancer diagnosis in women other than skin cancer. It’s important to get checked out.”

    If you don’t have insurance or documentation, there are free screenings. You can call the American Cancer Society, 24/7, year round, at 1-800-227-2345, or go to Cancer.org, for more resources.

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    christina-milian-afro-latina-identity-huffpost-live

    Christina Milian Details the Challenges of Being Afro-Latina in Hollywood

    October 28, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, News /
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    christina-milian-afro-latina-identity-huffpost-live

    (Image: Christina Milian – HuffPost Live screenshot)

    Afro-Cuban actress and Grammy-nominated singer Christina Milian spoke with HuffPost Live host Alex Miranda about her Afro-Latina identity on Monday. The Christina Milian: Turned Up star discussed how people tried to box her in and the diversity that exists among the Latino community.

    “Since early, it’d be like, I’m Cuban but [people] didn’t get it because I was also brown-skinned, and you usually see a fair-skinned Latino, so it was just like, ‘Oh, what are you? Are you black? Are you white?'” she recalled to host Alex Miranda. “I didn’t feel like I had to make a choice. I am what I am.”

    On our differences:

    “We’re all different, but you have to accept our differences,” she confirmed. “As far as Afro-Cuban [goes], I’m finding more and more that there’s people opening their eyes to seeing that. Latinos come in all colors, all shades.”

    Her familia:

    “You should see my mom and her brothers and sisters,” Milian continued. “Same parents, but we just vary in color, shapes and sizes. But we’re still Latinos—that doesn’t change a damn thing. You can tell it’s in the core of our blood.”

    Click here to watch the complete conversation with Christina Milian and HuffPost Live. 

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    Women's Freedom Conference_Ain't-I-Latina

    Women’s Freedom Conference Provides Much-Needed Space for Women of Color Online

    October 26, 2015
    / Blog, Featured, News /
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    Women's-Freedom-Conference-Feminista-Jones-

    (Image: Women’s Freedom Conference screen shot)

    History was made yesterday, October 25, 2015.

    While very much so historic, I’m not referring to the Million Woman March, which gathered thousands to rally for women and girls of African descent in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 25, 1997. I’m discussing the first-ever all-digital, super inclusive and highly accessible Women’s Freedom Conference, founded by activist and author Feminista Jones.

    Eighteen years after MWM, Jones and team created a space for women of color to celebrate and champion us. The voice of women of color is often left out of mainstream feminism and important discourse, so Jones countered that with a space that was designed for us, by us.

    So, you didn’t see the typical conference formula: an all white, mostly male, cisgender exclusive landscape. Intersectionality was embraced and discussed throughout the primarily free inaugural conference.

    “I realized women of color don’t really get the space to have their issues, their ideas, their concerns, their work, their talents, their success and their achievements all centered with the focus primarily on them,” said Jones in her welcome address. “I wanted to change that.”

    The full day of programming, 12 non-stop hours of scheduled content, was streamed online. Presentations tackled a variety of topics, including #BlackLivesMatter, diversity in technology and mental health, to name just a few discussions. Women from five different continents shared their work via the WFC platform. Speakers included Christina Morillo, and experienced IT professional and co-founder of #WOCinTech Chat; Dior Vargas, Latina feminist and mental health advocate; writer and experienced digital strategist Jamila Aisha Brown; and Awuor Onyango, writer, artist and filmmaker.

    I’m still sorting through the gems on Twitter (via #WFC2015) and listening to the powerful talks as I type this.

    It’s always beautiful to see someone’s passion project or dream come to life. Thank you Feminista Jones for creating this necessary space!

    Click here to watch WFC!

    You can still support the movement by clicking here. *

     

    WFC sponsors included Black Star Media, SheKnows Media, digitalundivided and Revision Path.

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    Dr. Marta Moreno Vega On Identity & Historical Legacy

    October 23, 2015
    / Blog, Everyday Chica, Featured /
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    Dr. Marta Moreno Vega_Afro-Latinas-Who-Rock

    (Image: Ain’t I Latina? – Dr. Marta Moreno Vega)

    On Saturday, October 3, 2015, Ain’t I Latina? hosted its first-ever “Afro-Latinas Who Rock” Awards Brunch. Held at Taj Restaurant and Lounge in New York City, attendees gathered to celebrate Afro-Latinas who are pushing for our narratives to be heard and revolutionizing the spaces and industries they occupy. The honorees included Zahira Kelly, sociocultural critic, artist and activist; Nadia Lopez, founding principal at Mott Hall Bridges Academy; Crystal Roman, founder and CEO of The Black Latina Movement; Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, president and founder of the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute; Erica Nichole, creator of everythingEnJ and Love & Relationship Editor at xoNecole; and Seven Brown, founder of Harlem Skin & Laser Clinic, philanthropist and beauty expert.

    Before the honorees accepted their award, attendees viewed a video showcasing their work, views on identity and more. Here, see our chat with Dr. Marta Moreno Vega:

    Thank you to everyone who attended Afro-Latinas Who Rock!

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