CELEBRATING LATINX LIFE IN TEXAS
NOBLEZA SPRING/ 2019
VIVA LA MUJER
THE NEXT WAVE
HERSTORY MADE U.S. CONGRESS
SPOTLIGHT + MEGAN MARTINEZ QUEEN OF COSMETICS, WITH A HEART OF MULTICHROME GOLD MUSIC + NEXT WAVE OF LATINX IN RAP, ROCK, CUMBIA AND COUNTRY PROVECHO + 3 LATINA CHEFS - SEMI-FINALIST FOR THE JAMES BEARD AWARD
NOBLEZA MAGAZINE
CONTENTS MAKEUP MOGUL + EMMY WINNER + OLYMPIAN
POLITICS HERSTORY MADE! FIRST LATINAS FROM TEXAS IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. MEET THE LATINAS BLAZING TRAILS ON THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEVEL
STEM IDENTICAL TWIN SISTERS AND NASA ENGINEERS
THE ARTS MUSICIANS AND ARTIST, THE BEST OF THE BEST
EXCLUSIVE!
MEGAN MARTINEZ: COVER: MEGAN MARTINEZ PHOTOGRAPHY: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT
QUEEN OF COSMETICS
MEDIA FROM POETS TO SUNDANCE FILM MAKERS AND A DAYTIME EMMY WINNER, TEXAS HAS IT ALL!
SPORTS TWO OLYMPIANS AND THE FIRST LATINA PRINCIPAL DANCER OF THE HOUSTON BALLET
PROVECHO MEET THE LATINAS LEADING THE VEGAN MOVEMENT IN TEXAS
GABY NATALE: DAYTIME EMMY WINNER
MARLEN ESPARZA: OLYMPIAN & FIRST FEMALE OF GOLDEN BOY
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 3 JAMES BEARD SEMI-FINALIST
from the Editor “No estudio por saber más, sino por ignorar menos” – Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz I HAVE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS MOMENT FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS. IN 2015 I WAS IN L.A. ON A WORK TRIP, WHEN A GREAT FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE SPOKE THESE MAGIC WORDS TO ME, "YOU SHOULD START YOUR OWN (MAGAZINE)." I HAD BEEN SO BUSY WORKING TOWARDS MY EMPLOYER'S GOALS AND DREAMS, THAT IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME TO DREAM FOR MYSELF. FROM THAT ONE CONVERSATION, A SEED OF HOPE WAS PLANTED, AND I BEGAN TO WONDER WHAT MY MAGAZINE WOULD LOOK LIKE. LIFE TOOK A CRAZY TURN THE FOLLOWING YEAR AS I WITNESSED MY COMMUNITY - THE LATINO COMMUNITY - BEING ATTACKED BY A PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE. I WAS SO OUTRAGED THAT I MADE THE CHOICE TO PUT MY DREAMS ON HOLD AND STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK, EVENTUALLY FINDING MY WAY TO WASHINGTON D.C. FOR THE 2016 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION CYCLE. FAST FORWARD TO FEBRUARY 2017, I, LIKE HALF THE NATION, WAS HORRIFIED AND SADDENED LOOKING AHEAD AT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS OF THIS NEW PRESIDENCY. I WAS FILLED WITH ANGER EVERY TIME MY COMMUNITY (AND OTHER COMMUNITIES) WERE SLANDERED AND CRIMINALIZED BY THE NEW ADMINISTRATION. I COULD NO LONGER TAKE IT AND I CHANNELED MY ANGER. I BEGAN TO WRITE AGAIN, AS A LINE OF SELF-DEFENSE. FOR EVERY INSULT, I WOULD PRODUCE A STORY ABOUT A LATINX CHAMPION. IT WAS THEN THAT THE CLOUDS PARTED, AND I SAW THINGS CLEARLY; I NEEDED TO RETURN TO MY FIRST LOVE, STORYTELLING.
Yol-Itzma
YOL-ITZMA AGUIRRE Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
WRITING ABOUT LATINX ACHIEVEMENT WAS WHAT I HAD ALWAYS KNOWN, IT WAS A PART OF ME. I FELT IT IN MY SPIRIT, IT WAS NOW TIME TO TAKE MY DREAMS OFF HOLD. I KNEW I WANTED TO CREATE A FRESH VIBE, A NEW SPACE WHERE LATINX STORIES LIVED, WHERE WE COULD FEEL PRIDE AND CELEBRATE EACH OTHER AND OUR COMMUNITY, AND I KNEW I WANTED TO BUILD THIS IN MY HOME STATE, TEXAS. BEING A WOKE, EDUCATED LATINA, I ALSO WANTED THE NAME TO RECOGNIZE OUR PLACE IN HISTORY; NOBLEZA WAS BORN. 'NOBLEZA' MEANS NOBILITY AND WHAT WAS ONCE A TITLE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN DENIED TO OUR ANCESTORS, I RECLAIM - RIGHTFULLY - AS OURS. THIS FIRST EDITION, SPRING 2019, IS DEDICATED TO ALL LATINAS THAT HAVE HAD TO BE THE FIRST ONE TO WALK A PATH, IN ANY CAPACITY. I REVISITED EACH SECTION AND LOOKED FOR THE ONE, THAT IS LEADING THAT NEXT WAVE, BLAZING THAT NEW TRAIL. I CAN'T TELL YOU THE AMOUNT OF ORGULLO I FEEL WHEN I LOOK AT THESE PAGES. TO QUOTE ONE OF MY IDOLS, "ME SIENTO MUY, EXCITED!" I HAVE POURED MY LITTLE CORAZONCITO INTO EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE PAGES AND MY HOPE IS THAT YOU LOVE THIS EDITION AS MUCH AS I DO; THAT YOU WILL LOOK THROUGH THESE PAGES AND SEE A PIECE OF YOURSELF, YOUR FRIENDS AND/OR YOUR COLLEAGUES, ETC., BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE WILL FINALLY SEE EACH OTHER, REFLECTED. IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN HONOR TO TELL YOUR STORIES AND I LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING THIS JOURNEY TOGETHER. WELCOME TO THE PAGES OF NOBLEZA...
@Yolitzmagik @Yolitzma_
send story ideas to: noblezamagazine@gmail.com
In honor of the women's edition, the 3 Latinas from Texas I admire most. Top: Selena Quintanilla Perez i have written so many blogs on what she has meant to my life (and the lives of many) she was the voice of my generation. through her I finally saw myself reflected in mainstream and for the first time i too felt beautiful in my brown skin and full lips. Middle: Jovita Idar, the woman who paved my personal path. She was an activist, organizer, educator and the first Mexicana Texan to start a newspaper. Every time I have doubts about launching my own publication, I remembered Jovita Idar. Bottom: This phenomenal woman, mi querida madre, her strength flows through me. She is my rock and foundation, the woman who built a new life in a new country and gave me all the opportunities she never had. Every day I strive to make her proud and to be worthy of her many sacrifices. Te quiero.
www.noblezamagazine.com
VIKKI CARR BORN FLORENCIA BISENTA DE CASILLASMARTINEZ CARDONA, VIKKI CARR WAS BORN IN EL PASO, TEXAS, RAISED IN CALIFORNIA AND IS A LONGTIME SAN ANTONIO RESIDENT. CARR IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS SINGERS IN THE WORLD, SHE IS ONE OF THE FIRST LATINAS TO HAVE SANG IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH MARKETS, PAVING THE WAY FOR FUTURE ARTISTS. FOUR GRAMMY AWARDS INCLUDING A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HAS PERFORMED FOR THE QUEEN OF ENGLAND AND FIVE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS 2011 CONGRESSIONAL HISPANIC CAUCUS INSTITUTE MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE 1981 STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME 2018 INDUCTED INTO THE TEXAS WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME
PHOTO: WWW.VIKKICARR.COM
SELENA QUINTANILLA-Â PEREZ
La Reina
1971- 1995
PHOTO: POPSUGAR.COM
first FEMALE tejano artist to win a Grammy best mexican american album - selena live!
ROSIE FLORES
FIRST LATINA COUNTRY ARTIST TO ENTER THE BILLBOARD COUNTRY CHARTS "TOP 75 GREATEST FEMALE GUITARISTS OF ALL TIME" BY VENUSZINE TEXAS LEGENDARY SONGWRITER AWARD TEXAS MUSIC HALL OF FAME @TheRosieFlores photo: Rosie Flores Facebook page
TIARRA GIRLS Sophia, Tori, and Tiffany Baltierra are the next big thing. Their sound is a whole new level of vibes. An eclectic blend of Tejano, Indigenous with a hint of Rockabilly AND in English and Spanish. Their music will hit the core of your soul.
photo courtesy of Tiarra Girls social media / photographer Lucero Archuleta
The Tiarra Girls are also unique in the fact that they fully wear their politics on their sleeves, literally. They have participated in events for Democratic favorites like Beto O'Rourke and most recently for united states Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. however what really was special in 2018, was their single "Leave it To The People" which represents everything we love about them; WOKE, Latina and fierce! Already becoming a staple of the Austin music scene, it is only a matter OF time before THEY CATAPULT TO SUPERSTARDOM, JUST LIKE SELENA. Make no mistake, the future of rock has arrived...and The Tiarra Girls have earned the Crown follow at www.TiarraGirls.com
photo courtesy of Tiarra Girls Facebook page
JENNIFER DEGOLLADO @JenniferDegolladoOficial
REPRESENTING THE RGV, MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF A LEGACY, JENNIFER DEGOLLADO. HER FATHER AND TÍO FOUNDED, 'GROUPO CONTROL' - A SKILLED ACCORDIANIST, JENNIFER BECAME AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE BAND IN 2009, BECOMING THE ONLY FEMALE AND YOUNGEST MEMBER IN THE GROUP. THE TEJANO / NORTENO / CUMBIA MUSIC GENRES ARE STILL HEAVILY A MALE DOMINATED FIELD AND THE ACCORDION IS A PRESTIGIOUS PART OF THE GROUP ENSEMBLE YET DEGOLLADO HAS NOT ONLY EARNED HER PLACE ALONGSIDE THE MEN BUT HAS ALSO BROUGHT HER OWN FRESH YOUNG VIBE TO TRADITIONAL MUSIC. HER TALENT IS UNDENIABLE, IT IS NO WONDER SHE HAS BEEN DUBBED "REINA DEL ACCORDEÓN" NOT ONLY A SKILLED ACCORDION PLAYER, BUT ALSO A SONGWRITER, GUITAR PLAYER, KEYBOARD PLAYER AND SINGER. JENNIFER HAS RELEASED HER FIRST SOLO ALBUM AND HAS ALSO RECENTLY GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE. THERE IS NO DOUBT, DEGOLLADO IS DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.
photo: facebook.com/JenniferDegolladoOficial
VALERIE "VAL" PONZIO TEXAS NATIVE, BORN AND RAISED IN EL PASO, CAPTURED HEARTS ON SEASON 12 OF THE VOICE. FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL COMPETITION, VALERIE HAS BEEN SHINING THE LIGHT ON THE NEXT WAVE OF LATINAS IN COUNTRY MUSIC. ALREADY HAVING RELEASED SINGLES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, HER DEBUT ALBUM, TIMELESS, CARRIES THE TITLE TRACK IN BOTH LANGUAGES AND EVEN MADE THE 'LATIN DIVAS' SPOTIFY PLAYLIST. PONZIO RECENTLY RELOCATED TO NASHVILLE AND WHEN NOT TOURING, SHE OFTEN RETURNS HOME, BRINGING HER FANS WITH HER, TO EXPLORE EL PASO THROUGH HER EYES. WITH DEEP FELT LYRICS LIKE "PROUD OF DESERT DIRT I'M FROM...EVEN THOUGH I CAN'T CHANGE RIVERS AND WHERE THEY RUN" (FROM HER SINGLE, "MY AMERICA") LEND POWERFUL IMAGERY TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER LENSE OF WHAT IT IS TO BE LATINA IN TEXAS, SPECIFICALLY FROM THE BORDERLAND. VALERIE'S STORYTELLING AND HER SOUND, MAKE HER VOICE A REFRESHING STAND OUT AMONG OTHERT NASHVILLE ARTIST.
photo: facebook.com/ValeriePonzio @ValeriePonzio @ValeriePonzio
VALERIE PONZIO
SNOW...IS FIRE! (CLAUDIA ALEXANDRA FELICIANO) ONE OF THE BADDEST IN THE GAME. BORN IN CALI AND LATER MOVED TO TEXAS - WHERE SHE STILL MAINTAINS A RESIDENCE AND WHERE HER FAMILY LIVES - HAS BEEN GRINDING, TOURING AND PERFECTING HER CRAFT OVER THE YEARS. A BRILLIANT LYRICAL PRODIGY, SNOW CAN SPIT RHYMES AND WRITES HER OWN LYRICS. EVEN THE G.O.A.T. HERSELF - MISSY ELLIOT - HAS TAKEN NOTICE. WHEN NOT ON TOUR, SNOW IS WORKING ON OTHER PROJECTS, YOU CAN CATCH HER ON USA'S BIG HIT, QUEEN OF THE SOUTH; SHE WAS ALSO A FEATURED MC ON "IMMIGRANTS (WE GET THE JOB DONE)" FROM THE HAMILTON MIXTAPE. SNOW'S LATEST SINGLE - BILINGÃœE JUST DROPPED AND IS ALREADY CLIMBING THE APPLE MUSIC LATINO CHARTS. A TRULY GIFTED RAPPER, SHE HAS CAPTIVATED AUDIENCES AROUND THE GLOBE AND WHAT IS MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THAT SHE IS AN OUTLIER, BUILDING HER CAREER WITH JUST HARD WORK, TALENT, HER TRIBE AND HER FANS. SNOW IS ONE OF THE MOST AUTHENTIC ARTIST OUT THERE, SHARING HER LIFE WITH US, THE JOYS AND SORROWS, LET DOWNS AND GLOW UPS...AND THE MOCK BONGS, HER 'EVERYDAY DAYS'...AND WE'RE HERE FOR IT! TEXAS MAY HAVE WARM WINTERS, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, WE LOVE OUR "SNOW."
@SnowThaProduct @SnowThaProduct
SNOW THA PRODUCT PHOTO CREDIT: SNOW THA PRODUCT FACEBOOK
OLYMPIAN MARLEN ESPARZA 2012 GAMES - TEAM U.S.A.
THE HOUSTON NATIVE BECOME THE FIRST AMERICAN WOMAN TO QUALIFY FOR THE 2012 OLYMPICS IN BOXING, WHICH WAS THE HISTORY-MAKING YEAR THAT THE WOMEN'S SPORT WAS ADDED TO THE GAMES. MARLEN WON A MEDAL AT THOSE GAMES, MAKING HER THE VERY FIRST BRONZE MEDALIST IN THE HISTORY OF WOMEN'S OLYMPIC BOXING. ESPARZA MADE HERSTORY A SECOND TIME, BECOMING THE FIRST FEMALE FIGHTER SIGNED BY GOLDEN BOY BOXING.
@Marlen_Esparza @Marlen112Boxing
OLYMPIAN MÓNICA GONZÁLEZ 2004 GAMES - TEAM MÉXICO BORN IN CORPUS CHRISTI, TX THEN LATER MOVED TO PLANO, TX (NEAR DALLAS) MÓNICA "GONZO" GONZÁLEZ WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE MEXICAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM IN 1998 AND WAS PART OF THE HERSTORIC MUJERES "LAS TRI" 1999 WORLD CUP DEBUT TEAM. SHE THEN SERVED AS THE CAPTAIN FOR THE MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM THAT MADE ITS HISTORIC APPEARANCE AT THE 2004 ATHENS OLYMPIC GAMES. @MonicaGonzo
MÓNICA IS NOW A SOCCER ANALYST AND SIDELINE REPORTER AT ESPN. GONZÁLEZ IS ALSO THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GONZO SOCCER, A FOUNDATION DEDICATED TO BRINGING THE SPORT TO YOUNG GIRLS AROUND THE GLOBE. GONZO SOCCER HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED 5 ACADEMIES IN COLOMBIA, 3 IN MEXICO AND 4 HERE IN THE STATES, 3 OF WHICH ARE LOCATED IN TEXAS: DEL RIO, HOUSTON AND AUSTIN.
KARINA GONZÁLEZ @KarinaGonzalezEdwards
FIRST LATINA PRINCIPAL DANCER 4TH LARGEST COMPANY IN THE NATION PHOTO: AMITAVA SARKAR
WITH THE HOUSTON BALLET
KARINA GONZÁLEZ IS A NATIVE OF CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND A SILVER MEDAL WINNER OF THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION IN 2007. SHE TRAINED AT THE GUSTAVO FRANKLIN BALLET SCHOOL IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA AND HAS DANCED PROFESSIONALLY WITH BALLET NATIONAL OF CARACAS AND TULSA BALLET, WHERE SHE REACHED THE RANK OF PRINCIPAL IN 2007. MS. GONZÁLEZ JOINED HOUSTON BALLET AS A SOLOIST IN 2010, AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL DANCER IN 2013.
IN THE WORLD, 1962 DEL RIO, TEXAS BALLPOINT PEN ON PAPER
CONSUELO “CHELO” GONZÁLEZ AMÉZCUA 1903 - 1975
DEL RIO, TX ARTIST AND POET
PHOTO: INSTAGRAM @GIO.DIZURITA | PHOTO CREDIT MARGIZASA PHOTOGRAPHY
GIO
D iZURITA
GIOVANNA DiZURITA IS LEADING THE NEXT WAVE OF LATINA ARTIST IN TEXAS. ONE ONLY NEEDS TO GLANCE AT HER WORK TO FEEL ITS MAGIC DRAW YOU IN.
A TRULY GIFTED ARTIST, DiZURITA HAS ALREADY BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED NAME, AND HER ART HAS BEEN SOUGHT AFTER FOR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE GLOBE, INCLUDING FAMOUS COLLECTORS LIKE ROCK ICON, STEVEN TYLER. RECENTLY GIO LAUNCHED HER OWN PRODUCT LINE, WHICH HAS ALREADY WON 'BRAND OF THE YEAR' IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR. WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO WATCH GIOVANNA'S STAR RISE AND PROUD TO HAVE HER REPRESENTING TEXAS. @Gio.Dizurita
PHOTO: DUSTIN ASHCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY
MEGAN MARTINEZ FOUNDER OF
CHAOS MAKEUP
Queen of Cosmetics @ChaosMakeup
STORY: YOL-ITZMA AGUIRRE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MEGAN MARTINEZ: QUEEN OF COSMETICS
LEADING THE NEXT WAVE IN COSMETICS IS TEXAN MEGAN MARTINEZ, FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. TO SAY SHE IS JUST AN 'MUA' WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT. MARTINEZ, FOUNDER OF 'CHAOS MAKEUP' IS COMPLETELY SELF-TAUGHT; A MASTER IN THE ART OF MAKEUP AND THE SCIENCE OF COLOR CHEMISTRY, MAKE HER CREATIONS TRULY MAGIC. MEGAN'S SUCCESS STORY IS A SURVIVAL STORY. AS A TEENAGER, WHEN MOST KIDS ARE WORRYING ABOUT PROM AND WHAT TO WEAR, MARTINEZ WAS WORRYING ABOUT HER NEXT MEAL AND WHERE SHE AND HER FAMILY WOULD LIVE. WHILE STRUGGLING WITH TWO JOBS AND GOING TO SCHOOL, SHE MADE THE CHOICE TO SURVIVE AND SO RIGHT AFTER SHE TURNED 18, SHE DROPPED OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. TO BE SO YOUNG AND NOW BE FACING THE WORLD ON YOUR OWN, COULD HAVE BEEN THE END OF HER STORY, BUT IT WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING. MAKEUP BECAME A CREATIVE OUTLET AND AS SHE DID MAKEUP FOR HER FRIENDS, THERE BEGAN TO BE A BUZZ. WITH THE POWER OF MYSPACE HER POPULARITY BEGAN TO GROW AND SO DID HER BOOKINGS. MAKEUP SAVED HER LIFE.
PHOTOS FROM CHAOS MAKEUP INSTAGRAM PAGE | PHOTOGRAPHER: KHALED YASEN
CARDI B WEARING 'AQUA SKY' IMAGE: TWITTER
MEGAN MARTINEZ: QUEEN OF COSMETICS
A NATURAL INNOVATOR, MARTINEZ SHE HAS BEEN CREATING NEW LOOKS LONG BEFORE THEY WERE TRENDING. WHEN COLORS THAT SHE WANTED WEREN'T FOUND ON THE SHELVES, SHE LITERALLY TAUGHT HERSELF CHEMISTRY AND MADE THEM. THIS WOULD BE THE START OF CHAOS MAKEUP. OVER THE YEARS SHE HAS BEEN PERFECTING THE SCIENCE OF COLORS AND EFFECTS. KEEPING HER TALENT IN CORPUS CHRISTI AND NOT RELOCATING MEANS THAT SHE HAS HAD TO BUILD HER OWN LABS AND MAKE EACH PRODUCT HERSELF, BY HAND. NOW TEN YEARS AFTER HIGH SCHOOL AND WITH THE LOVE AND SUPPORT OF A COUPLE OF HER CLOSEST FRIENDS, MEGAN IS ON HER WAY TO BECOMING THE NEXT MAKEUP MOGUL. ALREADY HAVING BEEN AN ESTABLISHED MUA, NOW HER CUSTOM FORMULA AND LINE OF HIGHLIGHTERS AND MULTICHROME SHADES HAVE TAKEN THE WORLD BY STORM. SHE HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED BY ALL THE TOP MAGAZINES AND WITH CELEBS LIKE CARDI B SPORTING HER SHADES, THERE'S NO TELLING WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS. ONE THE THING IS CERTAIN, THE AQUA SKY'S THE LIMIT.
MARTINEZ HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, NUECES COUNTY, STATE OF TEXAS AND U.S. CONGRESS, FOR HER SERVICE TO HER COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY IS SHE A LEADING LATINA IN THE WORLD OF COSMETICS, BUT MEGAN IS AN AVID HUMANITARIAN WITH A FOCUS ON ANIMAL RESCUES AND AIDING THE HOMELESS. MARTINEZ'S PERSONAL JOURNEY IS AN INCREDIBLE STORY OF OVERCOMING ADVERSITY AND PERSEVERANCE, MEGAN'S RISE TO SUCCESS HAS TAUGHT US ALL TO NEVER GIVE UP OR GIVE IN, ALWAYS CONTINUE TO BELIEVE. MEGAN MARTINEZ, OUR TEXAS QUEEN OF COSMETICS WITH A HEART OF SPARKLING MULTICHROME, GOLD. PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM DELGADILLO PHOTOGRAPHY
ANDREW JULIUS GUTOW ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS PRIZE RECIPIENT & COLLEGIATE NATIONAL POETRY SLAM CHAMPION 2014
photo: arianabrown.com
ARIANA BROWN
BORN AND RAISED IN SAN ANTONIO, ARIANA HAS BEEN MAKING NATIONAL WAVES, BOTH CREATING AND EXPANDING THE SPACE FOR AFROMEXICANA VOICES. NOT ONLY A NATIONAL POET BUT ALSO AN INNOVATOR, HAVING COFOUNDED THE 'FRESH INK YOUTH SLAM' IN SAN ANTONIO AND THE 'SPITSHINE POETRY SLAM' AT UT AUSTIN. ARIANA GIVING US PURO ORGULLO AS SHE PERFORMS ACROSS THE NATION. @arianathepoet
LAURIE ANN GUERRERO TEXAS POET LAUREATE 2016-2017
photo: twitter
GUERRERO, ALSO A SAN ANTONIO NATIVE, IS ONLY THE 3RD LATINA TO BE SELECTED AS THE TEXAS STATE POET LAUREATE. LAURIE, A NATIONAL RECIPIENT OF THE ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS PRIZE AND THE 2012 ANDRÉS MONTOYA POETRY PRIZE, IS NOT ONLY AN AWARD-WINNING CHICANA POET BUT ALSO BECAME THE FIRST WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SAN ANTONIO @LaurAnnGuerrero
photo: social media
ROSEMARY CATACALOS NOBLEZA MAGAZINE
2013 SAN ANTONIO
photo: carmentafolla.com
CARMEN TAFOLLA 2015 SAN ANTONIO
FIRST LATINAS SELECTED TEXAS STATE POET LAUREATE
FILM
IBARRA
CRISTINA IBARRA, UT AUSTIN ALUM, IS A FILMMAKER FROM EL PASO, TX WHO CO-DIRECTED AND CO-WROTE THE INFILTRATORS WHICH WON THE
'NEXT INNOVATOR' AND THE 'AUDIENCE' AWARD AT SUNDANCE THIS YEAR.
THE INFILTRATORS HAS BEEN GROUNDBREAKING, TACKLING THE CURRENT NATIONAL CONVERSATION REGARDING ICE AND DETENTION CENTERS. THE FILM IS BASED ON TRUTH FOLLOWING ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DETAINED AND THEN ABLE TO REPORT FROM THE INSIDE IN ORDER TO SHOW THE REALITY OF HOW THEY ARE BEING TREATED AS TOLD BY ACTUAL DETAINEES.
IBARRA HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL EYE-OPENING DOCUMENTARIES OVER THE LAST 16 YEARS, INCLUDING LAS MARTHAS AND THE LAST CONQUISTADOR. HER NARRATIVES SHED LIGHT ON LIFE BETWEEN THE TWO WORLDS OF UNITED STATES AND BEING LATINX.
CORREA
UT AUSTIN ALUM, SUZANNE ANDREWS CORREA, IS A FILMMAKER FROM DALLAS AND IS ONE OF THE LATINX FILMMAKERS TO SHOWCASE AT THE FESTIVAL THIS YEAR. GREEN WHICH WAS DIRECTED AND CO-WRITTEN BY CORREA, IS A STORY ABOUT "AN UNDOCUMENTED TURKISH PEDICAB DRIVER UNWITTINGLY DRAWS POLICE ATTENTION, ENDANGERING HIS BROTHER, HIS COMMUNITY, AND HIMSELF,” WON SHORT FILM JURY AWARD.
IN ADDITION TO HER SUNDANCE WIN, SUZANNE WROTE AND DIRECTED THE SHORT FILM LA CASA DE BEATRIZ WHICH IS CURRENTLY SHOWING ON HBO.
CORREA WAS SELECTED IN 2018 FOR THE SUNDANCE SCREENWRITING LAB TO DEVELOP HER DIRECTOR DEBUT FEATURE FILM, WRITTEN BY HER AS WELL, LA CAZADORA (THE HUNTRESS) A FEMALE EMPOWERMENT FILM WHICH TAKES PLACE IN JUAREZ, MEXICO AND SHINES A LIGHT ON THE ONGOING CONVERSATION OF "LAS DESAPARECIDAS" (THE MISSING WOMEN) OF CIUDAD JUAREZ.
GABY NATALE GABY NATALE IS OUR REINING LATINA OF DAYTIME FROM DALLAS. ARGENTINAITALIANA, AMERICANA, THE 'SUPER LATINA' EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AND HOST, HAS PAVED HER OWN PATH IN DAYTIME TV. WHAT BEGAN AS A DREAM LONG AGO IN WEST TEXAS, HAS NOW COME FULL CIRCLE; NATALE IS NOT ONLY A THREE-TIME DAYTIME AWARD WINNER BUT ALSO MADE HISTORY IN 2017 BECOMING THE FIRST AND ONLY TV HOST TO RECEIVE THE DAYTIME EMMY FOR OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALENT IN A SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW. BREAKING BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND BEHIND THE SCENES, SHE IS ONE OF THE FEW WOMEN IN MEDIA WHO OWNS ALL THE RIGHTS TO HER SHOW AND TV STUDIO. WITH THE LAUNCH OF HER FIRST BOOK, “EL CÍRCULO VIRTUOSO” - WHICH DEBUTED AT #1 - NATALE CAN NOW ADD 'BEST SELLING AUTHOR' TO HER REPERTOIRE. DAYTIME EMMY WINNER, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, HOST, ENTREPRENEUR, AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR; GABY NATALE IS UNDENIABLY A 'SUPER LATINA.' @GabyNatale
PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT: JOEL PARÉS PHOTOGRAPHY
@GabyNatale
KRISTINA CARRILLO-BUCARAM
@FullyRawKristina
HOUSTON NATIVE, KRISTINA CARRILLOBUCARAM, IS KNOWN THROUGHOUT THE RAW VEGAN COMMUNITY AS "FULLY RAW KRISTINA." IN 2007 SHE FOUNDED 'RAWFULLY ORGANIC' AND WHAT BEGAN AS A PROJECT OUT OF HER LIVING ROOM, GREW TO BECOME THE LARGEST RAW ORGANIC PRODUCE CO-OP IN THE UNITED STATES, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE, HEALTHY RAW PRODUCE TO THOUSANDS OF MEMBERS ACROSS THE HOUSTON AREA WEEKLY. A PROUD ECUADORIAN/LEBANESE LATINA, SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR, SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER, ENTREPRENEUR; FULLY RAW KRISTINA HAS SHARED HER JOURNEY TO BETTER HEALTH VIA A RAW VEGAN DIET WITH MILLIONS OF VIEWERS ACROSS HER CHANNELS. MOST RECENTLY, SHE HAS LAUNCHED 'FULLY RAW RETREATS' TO INCLUDE YOGA, MEDIATION, NATURE, HEALING, EDUCATION, ETC., ALONG WITH THE RAW AND VEGAN DIET, IN ORDER TO GIVE A DEEP NEXT LEVEL HEALTH AND WELLNESS EXPERIENCE TO PARTICIPANTS. ALTHOUGH SHE NOW TRAVELS THE GLOBE SHARING HER LIGHT, WE ARE SO PROUD TO KNOW THAT TEXAS IS HOME. PHOTO: WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/FULLYRAWKRISTINA PHOTOGRAPHER: SOFIA VAN DER DYS PHOTOGRAPHY
REBEL MARIPOSA @RebelMariposa
SAN ANTONIO NATIVE REBECA LOPEZ KNOWN SIMPLY AS 'REBEL MARIPOSA' IS FOUNDER, AND OWNER OF 'LA BOTÁNICA' WHICH HAS THE DISTINCT HONOR OF BEING THE FIRST VEGAN RESTAURANT WITH A FULL BAR, IN TEXAS. REBEL (AND COMPANY) HAVE CREATED SOMETHING UNIQUELY SPECIAL AT LA BOTÁNICA. WALKING IN, YOU INSTANTLY FEEL A WARMTH ABOUT IT, THEY SERVE A DECOLONIZED PLANT BASED MENU AND CUSTOM VEGAN DRINKS; FROM THE FOOD TO THE DECOR, EVERYTHING ABOUT IT SPEAKS TO HEALING THROUGH OUR INDIGENOUS, ANCESTRAL ROOTS. NOT ONLY A RESTAURANT AND BAR, BUT ALSO A QUEER COMMUNITY SPACE, AND ON SOME NIGHTS, AN ART GALLERY. A PLACE WHERE MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT COEXIST WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF EATING. REBEL MARIPOSA MIGHT HAVE NOT KNOWN WHAT WAS WAITING FOR HER WHEN SHE STARTED THIS JOURNEY, BUT IN JUST A SHORT TIME LA BOTÁNICA HAS POSITIONED ITSELF AS A SAN ANTONIO FAVORITE AND ALSO A LEADER IN TEXAS. PEOPLE MAY THINK TEXAS IS ALL STEAKS AND CATTLE, BUT THE FUTURE OF THE STATE WILL LIKELY FOLLOW THE FLIGHT OF THE REBEL MARIPOSA. PHOTO CREDIT: SPARX PHOTOGRAPHY
JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMI-FINALIST
BEST CHEF SOUTHWEST
photo: facebook.com/yuyoaustin
MARIBEL RIVERO YUYO - AUSTIN, TX
"My all-time favorite thing to make is Bolivian salteña. It’s the best empanada in the world and worth all the effort. I’m half Bolivian, so by making these pastries, I feel I keep the connection with my roots alive." — Maribel Rivero Executive Chef ATXWoman.com interview 2018
JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMI-FINALIST
BEST CHEF SOUTHWEST
photo: facebook.com/elnaranjoatx
ILIANA de la VEGA
“If you talk to me about authenticity, I don’t know what you mean. If you say tradition, then I’m with you.” — Iliana de la Vega Co-owner and Head Chef
EL NARANJO - AUSTIN, TX
2019
AUSTIN, TX
APRIL 26 - 28
JAMES BEARD AWARD SEMI-FINALIST OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF 4TH NOMINATION
photo: instagram.com/launderetteatx
"I’ve always incorporated whimsy and a touch of nostalgia into my desserts. At Launderette, the desserts get to speak their own language. They take bolder chances and tend to really tug at diners’ heartstrings." — Laura Sawicki Head Pastry Chef
LAURA SAWICKI
(James Beard Foundation Interview 2016)
LAUNDERETTE - AUSTIN, TX
JUNE 1st - 9th
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@NOBLEZAMAGAZINE @NOBLEZAMAGAZINE