Hispanic Heritage

A Mediaplanet Guide to Hispanic Experience, Health, and Achievement

Hispanic Heritage Pitbull Mr. Worldwide talks about bringing Latino music and culture to the world How the “Bionic Chef” Eduardo Garcia honors his Mexican heritage A look at the Medtronic technologies helping millions manage their diabetes

SEPTEMBER 2020 | MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

La diabetes también es un asunto del corazón.

Conoce más en DiabetesdeCorazon.org

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USHCC and Rumba Meats Providing Economic Relief to Small Businesses

There has been ample evidence that diverse groups make better decisions, and organizations with diverse leadership are more effective and profitable. Similarly, leaders who come from, and have extensive knowledge and understanding of the communities they serve have been found to be more responsive to, and better embraced by, those communities.

Increasing leadership diversity will be beneficial to the Latino community and the nation as a whole.

But it won’t happen organically or spontaneously — the public, private, and nonprofit sectors must be intentional about creating and supporting efforts to place more Latinos in key decision-making roles so their insights, creativity, and perspectives help make better decisions that address vital concerns and improve conditions for all people.

To combat the economic effects of COVID-19, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Cargill, and Rumba Meats have partnered to provide grants and guidance to small businesses and local chambers of commerce.

More than 86 percent of Latino business owners report experiencing immediate negative effects of COVID-19, according to a recent survey by Stanford University.

Similar estimates have been reported for other entrepreneurs of color.

Cargill and Rumba Meats (Cargill’s food brand focused on celebrating family and keeping Latin traditions alive) have partnered with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) to launch a new Emergency Economic Relief Grants Program to assist Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and small business owners affected by COVID-19.

“As small businesses work to reopen their doors, they’ll need access to the resources and tools offered by Hispanic Chambers of Commerce that are members of the USHCC national network,” said Ramiro A. Cavazos, president and CEO of USHCC. The key grants partnership between the USHCC and Rumba Meats will help ensure that businesses have access to the information, resources, and funds they need to get through these difficult times.

“We are inspired by the medical professionals, first responders, workers, farmers, business owners, and organizations like USHCC who are all making sure our essential needs are met,” said Hilary Gerard of Cargill Protein and North America brand manager for Rumba Meats.

The USHCC has partnered with Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth, Boston, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Washington D.C. to distribute the funds for training programs for small business owners and micro-grants to support local small business owners impacted by COVID-19.

Brianna Dimas, Vice President of Programs and Communications, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)

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Latino Leaders Are Needed for a Better Future As Latinos continue to comprise more of the population and people entering the workforce, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is working to give more of these people chances to lead.

Marco A. Davis President and CEO, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)

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ince early in 2020, the nation has been reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. And then the live video-recorded murder of George Floyd, with the subsequent widespread acknowledgment that his killing was sadly one amongst countless others, has shaken our society to its

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core. Together, these events have exposed deep racial, economic, and social inequity in our society and the devastating consequences of that inequity, particularly on Black and Latino communities.

Some have said we are living in two pandemics — COVID-19 and systemic racism — and it is clear that this moment calls for a swift and dramatic response. But what is the way forward?

I believe one contributing factor to our current reality, where issues and events are affecting different populations in different ways, is the fact that historical, structural, systemic racism and inequality have locked many people and groups

out of leadership and decisionmaking roles.

As a result, our communities have often been overlooked or ignored, and at times targeted for discrimination by the people empowered to create policies and allocate resources.

Strength in numbers But we Latinos are 60+ million strong — nearly 1 out of 5 people and growing, due to a higher birth rate than other demographic groups. We are also a young population; we are a quarter of the student population in America’s schools, and will represent half of all new workers joining the workforce by 2025.

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A chance to lead Latinos have tremendous talent and can contribute in impactful ways to creating a more prosperous society.

The CHCI’s mission is to prepare and help move Latinos into leadership roles in strategic ways. By providing leadership training, life-changing experiences, and professional development resources and opportunities, we help put Latinos on the path to positions of power, making an impact in whatever sector or field they choose.

We must ensure that real, longterm investments are made in Hispanic communities, including funding for better schools, healthcare, and other social services, as well as access to capital and financial opportunities to start a business, buy a home, or pursue higher education.

Latino representation must be increased at the leadership level to reduce inequity in America and make justice universal. It is imperative — it’s a smart business decision, it’s in everyone’s best interest, and it’s the right thing to do. n

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Publisher Sloane Ackerman Managing Director Luciana Olson Lead Designer Tiffany Pryor Designer Kayla Mendez Lead Editor Mina Fanous Copy Editor Dustin Brennan Director of Sales Stephanie King Director of Product Faye Godfrey Cover Photo Felipe Cuevas Univision Communications All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise specified. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve LA Times.

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How Technology Is Helping a Latina Teen With Diabetes Manage Her Condition Ambar Chacoma was nine when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Now 13, she’s sharing her story to inspire other kids to embrace their diagnosis and learn how diabetes technology can help them live their lives to the fullest.

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“I know that the relationship with Medtronic will be forever,” says Carlos, who’s a Medtronic diabetes ambassador helping people, including Latinos, manage the chronic condition.

t the time of her diagnosis, Ambar Chacoma didn’t feel sick, but she did have worrisome symptoms, including increased thirst and frequent urination.

Ambar’s pediatrician tested her urine and detected high sugar, a sign of diabetes. The doctor immediately sent her to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. On the way to the hospital, Ambar had blurry vision, another diabetes symptom. When she arrived at the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes.

“In that moment, it was just like, ‘Wow, a whole new thing,’” she says. “I had never really been sick before. And then out of nowhere, they told me I had diabetes.”

After the diagnosis, the family, who lives in Burbank, learned all they could about the disease. Three days after that hospital visit, Ambar had her first appointment with an endocrinologist, a diabetes specialist.

PHOTO: MEDTRONIC

Diabetes in the Hispanic community Over 122 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes, a chronic condition affecting how the body turns food into energy. With type 2 diabetes, the most common type, the body doesn’t use insulin well and struggles to keep blood sugar at normal levels, while type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder where the body no longer makes insulin.

The disease impacts the Hispanic community at a disproportionate rate.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hispanics are 17 percent more likely to have type 2 diabetes compared to Caucasians, and they’re also at greater risk to have pre-diabetes. However,

The company’s commitment Medtronic is deeply committed to supporting a culture of inclusion and diversity, which means cultivating a workforce that reflects the patients and partners the company serves.

“The broad range of ideas and diversity of experiences are what drive innovation, creativity, and better decision-making; ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Sally Saba, chief inclusion and diversity officer at Medtronic. “At Medtronic, we work hard to create a culture where diverse talent can thrive.”

in Hispanic youths the prevalence of type 1 diabetes is sharply increasing.

“You always worry,” says Ambar’s father Carlos Chacoma, an Argentinean immigrant who, along with his wife, moved to Los Angeles 20 years ago.

He and his wife want their daughter to live as normal a life as possible.

They help her monitor her blood sugar levels and her diet. For the first year, Ambar treated her diabetes with multiple daily insulin injections.

A few years ago, she started using an insulin pump system made by Medtronic. The device’s continu-

ous glucose monitor keeps track of Ambar’s sugar levels every five minutes, 24 hours a day. Based on those readings, the pump delivers continuous and customizable doses of insulin based on her healthcare provider’s recommendations.

Taking care of herself “I’ve come to understand that I have to take care of myself,” says Ambar, who’s bilingual in English and Spanish.

She and her family decided a pump was the ideal way to manage her condition.

“We realized that if I had the pump on, I wouldn’t have to give myself shots, I wouldn’t have as many bruises, and it wouldn’t have hurt as much,” says Ambar.

Carlos says his daughter is very responsible, noting they learned the pump together. They receive lots of support from Medtronic. For example, one morning Ambar was having a problem with her pump at 6 a.m. Her father called the 24-hour technical support team and right away, they were able to help fix the problem.

“A part of me” Ambar says when she grows up, if there isn’t a cure for diabetes, she wants to find it.

“It’s a part of me that I can’t ignore,” says Ambar. “I have to make the most out of it.”

Her father wants others to know diabetes is manageable: “You can live a normal life as a kid, as a family, because you have advanced technology and a community of support.” n Kristen Castillo

Read more about using technology with diabetes at www.medtronicdiabetes.com/LA.

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Ellen Ochoa, the fırst Hispanic woman in space, weighed in on the barriers women and minorities face in the STEM world.

Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D., never expected to be an astronaut.

“I didn’t originally start out in science,” she said. “I barely took any in high school. When I went off to college, I was thinking music, or maybe business.”

For Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, the space shuttle changed everything.

“A couple of years after the first flight, Sally Ride flew in space,” Ochoa said. “That was a huge deal for me.”

Barriers While in college, Ochoa also experienced something women and minorities experience every day when they express interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers: resistance.

“I talked to a professor in the electrical engineering department who was the student adviser,” she recounted, “and he was definitely not at all encouraging. He said, ‘Well, this is a pretty hard subject. You know, we had a woman come through here once.’ ” Ochoa’s experience is one reason why STEM careers attract so few women and minorities. Recent research shows women occupy just 14 percent of engineering jobs and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) reports underrepresented minorities earn just 12.5 percent of STEM degrees.

Solutions To encourage more women and minorities to explore STEM careers, Ochoa suggests we start long before college.

“Programs that give kids hands-on experience so they’re not just reading a book, they’re not just memorizing vocabulary words, have been successful,” she said. “Another key component is mentoring.”

Ochoa stresses it’s not the responsibility of women and minority students to change how they’re treated in the STEM space.

“You can’t expect the community that’s being discriminated against to be the one that changes it,” she noted. “It’s really incumbent on the people in the majority culture to understand where they have — unintentionally — either not encouraged women and minorities, or put up barriers. That’s what needs to happen for things to change.” n Jeff Somers

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How Gaby Natale’s Immigrant Perspective Empowers Her to Be a Pioneer Gaby Natale is a pioneer. As the first Latina to win three Daytime Emmys in two years, the TV host and bestselling author is on a mission to empower other Latino immigrants to follow their dreams and pursue every opportunity they’re given.

To what degree has your success allowed you to be a proponent for more Latino inclusion in the arts?

Influence, success, and visibility go hand in hand, but it’s difficult to trace which comes first. I’ve lost count of the times I found myself to be the only — and more often than not first — Latina in the room, whether it was a business meeting, a negotiating table, or a stage.

This helped me develop a ”pioneer mentality;” I had to trust my vision even before I had the results to validate it. In a way, I had to be my own mentor because way too often nobody like me had done it before.

A good example of this ”pioneer mentality” is my career as an author. After a successful run of my bestselling book in Spanish ”El Circulo Virtuoso,” I just officially became the first Latina to be signed by HarperCollins Leadership division, joining the ranks of John C. Maxwell and Rachel

PHOTO: JOEL PARES

Encouraging the Next Generation of Astronauts

Hollis. I am sure that by sharing my journey as a proud Latina immigrant in an authentic way, others too will realize that “calladita no te ves más bonita” (you do not look prettier when you are silent).

that I’ll have to find another job and move on, I would be insane not to try it!”

How has your culture affected your life in a positive way?

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received came from my mom Cristina. I like to call her the Erin Brockovich of Argentina. She is a tough-as-nails lawyer who has spent her career filing class-action lawsuits on behalf of retirees.

Back in 2001, Argentina was in the middle of its worst financial crisis in a century. We are talking over 20 percent unemployment rate, food riots, five presidents in 10 days, the works. I was fresh out of college with a master’s degree in journalism, zero callbacks from prospective employers, and one unpaid offer from a dear friend to go help her do some menial tasks at a political marketing convention her company was sponsoring.

I am, first and foremost, a Latina immigrant. This fact of life gives me a perspective different from most people.

In many areas of my life, being an immigrant has made me a risktaker. I know what real poverty is and I know what lack of access to opportunities really feels like.

When I quit my job as a news anchor for Univision to start my own production company, my colleagues thought — and told me! — that I was a lunatic. But my thought process was completely different. I kept thinking, “If the worst that can happen to me is

What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

So here I am, having a pity party in my head, when my mom calls and I start whining about my “oh-so-sad” fate of being an unpaid helper at a convention lots of former classmates would be attending as guests. Of course, Mamá Cristina is not the type to commiserate.

She asked, ”Do you have anything better to do?” Well, no.

That’s the whole point of being unemployed. ”Then, m’ija” she said, “you are going to put on your best dress, get some nice-looking lipstick, and go there like they are paying you a million bucks. And you are going to do that because you never know when opportunity will knock on your door.”

As it turned out, she was right.

That political convention opened a little door for me to start doing remote work for a lobbying firm out of Washington, D.C. that would eventually turn into a job offer to work for them here in the United States. Her advice literally changed the course of my life. n

A Healthy Lifestyle Starts in the Kitchen A chef, cookbook author, spokesperson, and food reporter, Chef Leticia Moreinos Schwartz has dedicated her life to food and creating healthy cuisine. We spoke to her about why food is such an important cultural element and how Americans can make preparing their own meals more appealing.

How have you used food to embrace your culture?

Growing up in Brazil, I was exposed to a variety of cultures: the Portuguese, the native Indian, and the African. The result is a delicious combination of

exotic dishes prepared with techniques and ingredients from all three cultures meeting in the same pan.

When I moved to the United States, I missed the taste, the flavor, the people, and the energy from Brazil. Cooking and writing about cooking were the ways I found to reconnect with my country after I left, and my tribute to Brazil couldn’t be contained to just the plates on my table. I wanted to share my passion and my joy of cooking with the rest of the world. I went on to write two cookbooks about Brazilian cuisine (“The Brazilian Kitchen” and “My Rio de Janeiro”) and later wrote a third book called “Latin Superfoods” (fall 2019).

How does healthy eating and cooking help those suffering from diabetes?

Having a personal connection with type 2 diabetes — my grandfather died from complications of the disease — I’ve learned to pay attention to nutrition, eating habits, and lifestyle. I’ve been on an incredible journey as the spokesperson for a healthy living campaign, and having participated in the documentary “A Touch of Sugar”, I see firsthand that unhealthy eating habits can contribute to serious health issues.

If your unhealthy diet bothers you but your eating habits persist, then you

should relocate dinner preparation to the kitchen, rather than relying on takeout — that’s because the kitchen is the scene of a daily healthy victory!

But I do realize immigrants — including myself — are especially vulnerable to dietary and lifestyle diseases. Once we move to the United States, our habits change for the worse, along with our health. We no longer shop at farmers markets or cook homemade meals. Instead, we buy takeout and prepacked foods.

The road from a healthy Latin culture to the North American table became a tough one somewhere along the way.

That’s why we need to give ourselves

an ultimatum! No more buying takeout meals starting right now!

What advice would you give someone who has diabetes but is hesitant to make changes to their diet?

Most people associate healthy cooking with boring taste and flavorless foods.

I’m on a mission to prove that healthy eating can not only be absolutely delicious, but also that food is medicine, and that by living a healthy lifestyle, you can take control of your health and your life.

With the possible exception of medicine, nothing exerts more influence than diet and exercise in controlling type 2 diabetes. And by diet, I’m referring to healthy home cooking.

But to cook, we need time, and nobody has time. We make time. Time is a gift, like cooking is a gift. These are some of the most valuable gifts you can give yourself: taking time to be responsible for your own well-being. n

HOW CAN AN INSULIN PUMP HELP MANAGE DIABETES? An insulin pump is a small device that mimics some of the ways a healthy pancreas works. It delivers continuous and customizable doses of rapid-acting insulin 24 hours a day to match your body’s needs.

The pump provides insulin to your body in two ways: BACKGROUND (BASAL) INSULIN Small amounts of insulin released continuously throughout the day.

MEALTIME (BOLUS) INSULIN Additional insulin can be delivered on demand to match food intake or to correct high blood sugar.

WHO CAN USE AN INSULIN PUMP? People who:

Have type 1 or type 2 diabetes Take 3 or more insulin injections per day Take other medications in addition to insulin to manage their diabetes Would like better management of their diabetes

LEARN MORE

Visit: www.medtronicdiabetes.com/LA Talk to a Diabetes Therapy Specialist Insulin pump therapy is not recommended for individuals who are unable or unwilling to perform a minimum of four blood glucose tests per day. Insulin pumps use rapid-acting insulin. If your insulin delivery is interrupted for any reason, you must be prepared to replace the missed insulin immediately. For more information, please visit www.medtronicdiabetes.com/importantsafetyinformation.

940M23098-011 03SEP2020 ©2020 Medtronic. All rights reserved. Medtronic, Medtronic logo and Further, Together are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company.

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How Mobile Billboards Can Help Advertisers Reach the Hispanic Community Traditional billboards used to be the way to market products and services, but modern mobile billboards are changing the way businesses advertise to consumers.

One company, Movia Media, a tech marketing company that places trackable ads on delivery trucks, is having a lot of success with mobile billboards.

They partner with trucking companies that make general deliveries five or six days a week. The trucks are outfitted with GPS, and advertisers can target potential customers and communities based on demographics.

“Every moving billboard comes with impression analytics for WiFi Bluetooth measurement,” said Casey Binkley, Movia Media’s CEO. “Essentially, every truck is outfitted with a beacon that picks up the WiFi or bluetooth signals on people’s phones. It’s an accurate and useful measure of who is seeing which ads, when, and where.”

They know which devices, like specific smartphones or tablets, interacted with the ad and then can start sending messages to the device, such as an ad on Instagram or another platform.

Engaging tool Advertisers who want to target Hispanic consumers can utilize mobile billboards as well. According to Simmons Research, Hispanic households account for 10 percent of all discretionary spending in the United States and are motivated by online ads at a 21 percent-greater rate than non-Hispanics.

The mobile billboards have been popular, especially during the pandemic, when many consumers are quarantined.

“Now a lot of people are staying at home,” Binkley said. “Our trucks are a big, moving canvas, and we bring the messages right to the areas people are living.”

This has been paid for by Movia Media.

Kristen Castillo

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NMSI Is Helping Los Angeles Students Succeed With online and in-person (where guidelines allow) programs and supports available for teachers and students, NMSI can help your child get ready for the upcoming school year.

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amantha Jimenez, a 2020 graduate of San Pedro High in Los Angeles, is saving thousands in college costs after receiving credit hours for passing multiple Advanced Placement (AP) math, language, and humanities exams. She thanks the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI) for providing AP study supports with expert coaches and covering the $94 cost per exam (for students at NMSI partner schools).

“I was struggling in calculus, so having the extra help on problems and review from NMSI helped me a lot,” said Jimenez, who is considering an environmental engineering degree because she’s concerned about

climate change and wants to protect California’s redwood forests.

Digital expertise Online delivery is not new for NMSI, a Dallas-based nonprofit that continues to build on its experience to maintain and grow supports for students, teachers, and school systems across the country. Focusing on its mission to serve students furthest from opportunity, NMSI is working with school partners to determine digital access needs, and will help them connect to hardware and broadband providers to remove barriers to academic achievement.

“Inequality appears in digital learning, particularly for Latino and Black

communities,” said Bernard Harris, Jr., NMSI’s CEO and the first Black astronaut to complete a spacewalk. “I think about the urgency in forming partnerships to better serve communities with economic disparities.”

NMSI programs integrate culturally relevant teaching practices, including materials with a focus on Latino and Black voices, and ways to support English language learners.

Summer series More than 4,000 educators from across the country participated in NMSI’s online Summer Series trainings — on par with NMSI’s in-person teacher training enrollment — with a focus on how to adapt to

unprecedented changes during the 2020-21 school year and improve equity in education.

For the 2020-21 school year, NMSI is providing blended (online and in-person, if health guidelines allow) teacher trainings, and continues to offer online student study supports.

Students and teachers have 24/7 access to NMSI supports via on-demand online modules.

NMSI’s Military Families Mission schools like San Pedro High are funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. NMSI is part of the Defense STEM Education Consortium. n Angela Chambers, Communications Manager, National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI)

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Everyone needS science.

Science needs everyone.

The world needs scientists to solve humanity’s greatest problems, but not all students get the same opportunities to learn.

And with COVID-19 keeping students—including those from our most under-resourced communities—out of science classrooms this fall, we need accessible remote learning tools more than ever.

That’s where LabXchange comes in.

The innovative virtual lab, supported by the Amgen Foundation, is designed to close the widening science education gap in this country.

It’s free and open to everyone, regardless of income, race, gender or geography.

Because all students deserve quality science education—and the opportunity to discover their passion in the process. #ScienceMadePossible

For more information visit LabXchange.org

Lynette Bloise has been to over a dozen heart doctors. It took time and patience before she found a cardiologist she’s comfortable with to treat her chronic heart problems.

Bloise, 68, and her sister share the same genetic heart condition their mother had. The condition is more prevalent in women and Bloise is already making sure her daughter and three granddaughters, ages 20, 11, and 2, are heart healthy.

Hispanic women are likely to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than non-Hispanics. That’s according to the American Heart Association (AHA), which also reports heart disease is a top killer of Hispanic women.

Bloise, who’s retired from her career as a psychotherapist, has always been her own advocate.

She advises other Latinas with heart problems to be patient and find providers they can trust.

“Don’t give up. Just be in touch with yourself,” she said. “Be confident that you know your body, because you know what feels good and what doesn’t.”

Now Bloise is a WomenHeart Champion, volunteering with the nonprofit WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.

Since 2002, the group has trained over 900 women with heart disease to share their stories and empower other women to take charge of their heart health. n Kristen Castillo

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Chef Eduardo Garcia Makes Food That Tells a Story PHOTO: JOHN SWEENEY

How Heart Health Impacts Hispanic Women

Chef Eduardo Garcia has overcome adversity to celebrate his cultural heritage in his food — while focusing on a healthy diet.

By the time Eduardo Garcia was 30, he’d been through more than many people twice his age have — a job out of school as a chef on private yachts; co-founding Montana Mex, a Mexican-inspired line of seasonings and sauces; and a horrific hunting accident that caused severe burns, and the loss of his left hand and a portion of his arm. Then, while in the hospital, he was diagnosed with cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy.

However, not even a prosthetic arm could stop him, which earned him the nickname the “Bionic Chef.”

“My curiosity stayed with me,” Garcia said. “That curiosity [was for] me to just start trying again.”

Every meal tells a story Garcia’s story has deep roots in his culture and family.

“I’m more stimulated when I cook the cuisine of Mexico because it accesses a different place for me,” he said.

Garcia’s journey has taught him the value of both health and heritage in cooking.

“I’m not really cooking, I’m creating,” he said. “I’m storytelling.

Culture is where I get my material.

It’s a much deeper understanding of how it all pieces together, sometimes five years or 500 years back,

and that goes into the fabric of the meal.”

Healthy living His father’s experience living with type 2 diabetes also inspired Garcia to work with the American Heart Association’s and American Diabetes Association’s Know Diabetes by Heart initiative.

“My father loved food deeper than anyone — deeper than me,” he said.

“To think about someone losing the way they experience care, or love, or even culture — the favorite dish someone made for you and now you can’t eat it because you have a health condition. I’m here to really remind everybody that we have the ability to rewrite our script every day.

“I loved cooking with my father so deeply. And so now, I don’t buy tortillas anymore. I made that decision when he passed because I want to experience being with him. So I’m gonna make them from scratch.”

His efforts at tortilla making are starting to pay off. “I’ve botched so many,” Garcia said. “Now, thousands later, I’m starting to make a decent tortilla!”

Garcia said it’s all about how we approach our challenges.“Our scars are like the blueprint and the roadmap of where we’ve been and who we are,” he said. “We can’t remove them, we can’t get rid of them. And so I would encourage others to embrace the challenge.” n Jeff Somers

Why Our Future Depends on More Latinos Getting Involved in STEM What is the best fırst step for a Hispanic person looking to pursue a career in the STEM space?

Juan Torres Associate Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Raquel Tamez Chief Executive Officer, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

The 21st century world demands diverse perspectives to deliver the solutions to complex problems, and Hispanic people can play a huge part in that STEM-focused future. We asked two industry experts about why we need, and how we can get, more of these students to consider STEM careers.

Juan Torres: The first step for anyone interested in a STEM career in energy is to tap your sense of curiosity. STEM careers are founded in understanding the world around us and using that knowledge to improve how we live, work, and play.

Then talk to guidance counselors, university advisers, teachers, family members, and friends in STEM fields; other students; and, if possible, scientists and engineers to learn more about STEM career fields. They will be happy to share their knowledge and advice, and guide you along the path you choose.

The energy-related STEM fields hold significant promise as every aspect of our lives relies on energy. Follow your passion, never stop learning, be persistent, and you will have a rewarding career.

Raquel Tamez: When I meet someone interested in STEM, the first thing I say is “Welcome! And good for you! Bravo!”

I enthusiastically invite them to explore the many opportunities and possibilities in STEM. I encourage them to identify which fields are most appealing to them. I explain that the easiest way to start is to go online — read and watch videos.

NASA, National Science Foundation, and many other organizations have countless resources to describe all the many and various fields in STEM, and the exciting work being done.

I further explain that it’s imperative that they continue to take math and science courses, and if not currently enrolled in these, to talk with a counselor or adviser, and figure out how to start. Finally, I say that it’s never too late to start, but to do STEM, you must start.

Why is Hispanic representation in STEM so critical?

JT: The Hispanic population is the largest ethnic demographic in the United States, yet we are significantly underrepresented in STEM fields.

Because of this, our country is missing out on so much of the creativity and ingenuity from this talent pool.

Representation is important because it shows the way to what’s possible. When students are able to see and talk to Hispanic scientists, researchers, engineers, and leaders in a STEM field, it can open their imaginations to careers and other opportunities they may not have considered for themselves.

RT: The world is facing complex problems — global pandemic, climate change, racial and financial inequalities — and we know from both experience and research done by [political scientist] Scott Page that diverse teams lead to better solutions to complex problems.

Diversity of perspectives, life experiences, thoughts, and opinions all lead to richer discussion and better solutions. Page describes it as a “diversity bonus,” an extra amount that is achievable from diverse teams.

This added benefit is gained when working on complex problems rather than simple ones, and in order to gain this diversity bonus, organizations must make it possible — create time and opportunity for people to contribute, use diverse teams for complex tasks rather than simple ones, reduce biases in recruiting and hiring, and establish policies and processes to enable diversity bonuses to occur.

The world needs inclusive solutions and those can only be created if diverse perspectives are included in design processes. The world needs comprehensive, inclusive solutions that reflect our diverse population.

Increasing diversity, inclusion, and equity in STEM is how we capture these diverse perspectives and make it happen. n

Making the Dreams of the Latinx Community a Reality A gas explosion at his church forever changed Damian Rivera’s idyllic life. He realized he wanted to dedicate his life to helping his community, and left his job in the corporate sector to become the CEO of the non-profıt Association for Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA).

The transition into my role as CEO of ALPFA was made easier by the amazing network ALPFA has, called the ALPFAmilia. There has never been a more critical moment in my life to give back, and I am proud to be able to help the Latino community as we focus on taking action for a better tomorrow.

That is where I want to focus this message, on knowledge, network, and action. As the Latinx community continues to grow in influence across the country, serving in leadership roles in corporations and social movements, we need to make sure we are consistently focused on these three areas: knowledge, network, and action.

We need to continue to equip ourselves with the empowering knowledge of the impact we have in society, and the impact we have made through history. With each piece of additional knowledge of our history and our current impact, we gain strength to dream for something bigger.

To succeed for yourself and advance the Latinx community, you must start by taking action. Many will feel imposter syndrome when taking this step, and when you do, think back and remember your history.

Remember that with all the challenges that you and your family has ever faced, you have always made it through.

The strength already lives in you. Allow your past to fuel your courage and compel you to take action to build a brighter future.

From classroom to career, we’re here for them.

See how NMSI supports all students at nms.org/programs

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The Latin Culture and Strong Women That Inspired Pitbull

PHOTO: GREG WATERMANN

We talked to Pitbull ­— Mr. Worldwide — about what being a first-generation Cuban American has meant to him, and how Latin culture has inspired his musical career.

To what degree has your success allowed you to be a proponent for more Latin inclusion in the arts?

I’m not here to talk about it, I’m here to be about it. I am a first-generation Cuban American. I was born and raised in Miami. Miami is a melting pot of different Latin cultures. That’s what my live shows are about. I showcase the Miami and Latin cultures around the world. I bring people together and show them what we’re all about: positive energy and having a good time.

How have you used your music to embrace your culture?

Music is the universal language. What I love about music is how it brings

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people together. My music is a reflection of how I grew up. I grew up with all sorts of different musical influences including salsa, merengue, bachata, bass, freestyle, hiphop, techno, house, and more. I have never been afraid of mixing things up. My music is about enjoying the moment and the beats. It’s feelgood music. I’m here to inspire and be inspired.

Who had the biggest influence on your life and why?

Women have played the largest influence in my life. My grandmother, aunt, mother, and my high school teacher Hope Martinez all played key roles in making me who I am today. I would

READ MORE AT MODERNWELLNESSGUIDE.COM

...I’m here to inspire and be inspired...

not be the man I am without the women who raised me.

My grandmother, aunt, and mother taught me the importance of freedom. My grandmother was a Cuban revolutionary, my aunt a political prisoner, and my mother left Cuba via [Operation] Peter Pan (Pedro Pan).

The grind that I put into my work every day is a reflection of my grandmother, aunt, and mother. They’ve always taught me there are no limits in freedom and life.

My teacher, Hope Martinez, was the first person to really believe in me, outside of my family. She helped make me believe in my own artistry.

If it wasn’t for Hope, I wouldn’t be where I am right now.

If you don’t know where you’re from, you don’t know where you’re going. Thanks to the women in my life, I’m now in a place where I can help others. That’s one of the reasons I most recently partnered with Jeff Hoffman from the Global Entrepreneurship Network and Hello Alice to provide grants to Latino small business own-

ers across the country to keep their small businesses alive, and to help those who need it the most during the pandemic.

You have worked over the past decade to close the poverty gap through education — what has that experience taught you?

Education is power. I started the Sports Leadership & Management Academy (SLAM!) back in 2013. I got involved in education because I want people to know there are no boundaries. We want to change the way we relate to education. Whether you want to be in business, tech, or the arts, SLAM! gives students the possibility to explore their passions. n

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