Afro-Latina Archives

Digame: Jessica Esquivel Talks Being a Queer Afro-Latinx in STEM

Virginia IsaadMarch 22, 2023March 22, 2023

by Virginia IsaadMarch 22, 2023March 22, 20230411

Digame is a monthly series featuring prominent Latinx leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and public figures uplifting the community and making a difference. Afro-Latina Dr. Jessica Esquivel is an Associate Scientist at Fermilab, a national laboratory specializing in high-energy particle physics. She...

Culture

On Feeling Both Black Enough and Puerto Rican Enough

drangeljonesFebruary 28, 2023February 28, 2023

by drangeljonesFebruary 28, 2023February 28, 202303025

First-gen Afro-Latina Dr. Angel Jones is an educator, activist, and critical race scholar whose research explores the impact of racism on the mental health of Black students with a focus on racial microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue, and gendered-racism. My manita (an endearing...

Family

Afro-Latina Doulas are Fighting for ‘Birth Justice’ Amid Growing Black Maternal Health Crisis

Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 22, 2023February 22, 2023

by Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 22, 2023February 22, 202302161

The thing about Black History Month, is that it’s rendered completely useless if we don’t use it to create a better Black future. At the most foundational level, that should start with better Black maternal care. The Black maternal mortality...

Beauty Fashion

10 Afro-Latina Owned Brands You Need to Know About

Nicole YoungFebruary 16, 2023

by Nicole YoungFebruary 16, 202301957

For Black History Month, and year-round, we’re recognizing Afro-Latinas making a difference in their communities. One way to do this is by supporting Afro-Latina owned brands and small business owners. These inspiring women are making their dreams come true through a...

Culture

The Power of Being an Unapologetically Proud Afro-Latina

drangeljonesFebruary 15, 2023

by drangeljonesFebruary 15, 202301270

First-gen Afro-Latina Dr. Angel Jones is an educator, activist, and critical race scholar whose research explores the impact of racism on the mental health of Black students with a focus on racial microaggressions, Racial Battle Fatigue, and gendered-racism. “I have a duty to...

Culture News and Entertainment

Celia Cruz Becomes First Afro-Latina on U.S. Currency

Virginia IsaadFebruary 7, 2023

by Virginia IsaadFebruary 7, 202302103

Iconic Cuban singer Celia Cruz has made history as one of five honorees in the 2024 American Women Quarters Program. The Queen of Salsa was one of the most popular Latin singers of the 20th century and her popularity hasn’t wavered....

Culture Family

My Estranged Dad Was Puerto Rican But I Don’t Feel Latina Enough

Virginia IsaadOctober 31, 2022

by Virginia IsaadOctober 31, 2022043767

I didn’t know I had Latinx roots until I was in my pre-teens. My older sister always told me that my biological father was Puerto Rican, but I thought she was making fun of me because I was light skinned....

Culture

Digame: Dr. Angel Jones is Dedicated to Amplifying Afro-Latinx Voices

Virginia IsaadOctober 26, 2022

by Virginia IsaadOctober 26, 202204590

Digame is a monthly series featuring prominent Latinx leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and public figures uplifting the community and making a difference. First-gen Afro-Latina Dr. Angel Jones is an educator, activist, and critical race scholar whose research explores the impact of racism...

News and Entertainment

Ariana DeBose is First Afro-Latina and First Openly Queer Woman of Color to Win an Oscar

Virginia IsaadMarch 28, 2022March 28, 2022

by Virginia IsaadMarch 28, 2022March 28, 202203380

Afro-Latina Ariana DeBose‘s role as Anita in West Side Story marked her first major film starring role and now she’s also celebrating another first after her best supporting Oscar win. During the 94th Academy Awards ceremony DeBose, who is of...

Culture

Digame: Saraciea J. Fennell is Amplifying Afro-Latinx Voices in Literature

Virginia IsaadFebruary 28, 2022

by Virginia IsaadFebruary 28, 202207765

Digame is a monthly series featuring prominent Latinx leaders, activists, entrepreneurs, and public figures uplifting the community and making a difference. Saraciea J. Fennell is a Black Honduran writer and the founder of The Bronx is Reading, an organization that promotes...

Culture

Afro-Dominican Baker Paola Velez Has Raised Millions With Bakers Against Racism Initiative

Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 25, 2022February 25, 2022

by Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 25, 2022February 25, 202204698

It’s universally known that food is one way to unite people and one first-generation Afro-Latina pastry chef decided that she’d use baked goods in the fight for racial justice. With only a dream and zero dollars, Paola Velez launched the...

Culture

Afro-Cuban Photographer Emerald Arguelles is Dedicated to Uplifting Black Women in Her Work

Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 22, 2022

by Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonFebruary 22, 202205085

What we don’t see all that often is photography dedicated to showcasing real Black women in all their beauty. Afro-Cuban photographer Emerald Arguelles is committed to changing that though. The 26-year-old former Marine turned to art when her time in...