Thursday, May 9

La Gente

La Gente: Rising Mexican-American Singer/Songwriter Kordelya
La Gente, Local San Diego

La Gente: Rising Mexican-American Singer/Songwriter Kordelya

Kordelya. Photo credit: Madison Stonefield In a recent interview, emerging artist Kordelya revealed the intricacies of her unique journey in the music industry, skillfully intertwining her Mexican and American identities to craft a distinct sound rooted in authenticity. This musical fusion recently took center stage in Los Angeles, as Kordelya headlined a concert series sponsored by Tequila Cazadores and organized by Sofar Sounds. The event, dedicated to celebrating cultural diversity within the Hispanic music scene, provided an ideal platform for Kordelya's talent. As Kordelya's musical journey continues to captivate audiences, her revealing interview and vibrant LA performance serve as a prelude to the compelling layers of inspiration and determination woven into her unique personal ...
La Gente: Queen Bee’s Alma Rodriguez
La Gente, Local San Diego

La Gente: Queen Bee’s Alma Rodriguez

In the heart of North Park, San Diego, there's a buzzing cultural hub that has become synonymous with creativity, community, and the pursuit of dreams. Queen Bee's, owned and curated by the visionary Alma Rodriguez, is not just a venue—it's a testament to passion, perseverance, and the profound impact one person can have on a community.  A Dreamer's Odyssey: From Teenage Aspirations to Cultural Curatorship In the groove of life, some people write their melody with unbridled passion and a relentless commitment to creation. Alma Rodriguez stands out as one such maestro of success. "I wanted to be a drummer and I wanted to be in a band. As a teenager, I was just running around, trying to find myself like every child out there," Rodriguez reflects, navigating the intricate harmonie...
La Gente: Co-founder of Project Repat, Ross Lohr
La Gente, Local San Diego

La Gente: Co-founder of Project Repat, Ross Lohr

In a heartwarming chat with Ross Lohr, the visionary behind Project Repat, we gained insight into the extraordinary journey of transforming a simple idea into a powerhouse business that seamlessly blends sentimentality with sustainability over the past 11 years.  Hailing from just outside of Boston, Ross embarked on his path with a fervor for nonprofit work, a self-proclaimed "do-gooder," as he fondly recalls his early days working in Tanzania and South Africa. Little did he know, these experiences would lay the foundation for what would become Project Repat. During his college years, driven by a passion for social good, Ross established an NGO in Tanzania, South Africa, focused on education and cultural exchange. Regular visits unveiled a curiosity about the global second-hand clot...
La Gente: Tiktok Star Jenny Martinez
La Gente

La Gente: Tiktok Star Jenny Martinez

Jenny Martinez, the TikTok sensation known for her mouthwatering Mexican recipes, recently sat down for an exclusive interview, providing a glimpse into her inspiring journey from Mexico to the United States and her unexpected rise to fame on social media. Born in Mexico and moved to the U.S. at the age of four, Jenny's culinary expertise is a vibrant celebration of her Mexican heritage. From the enchanting aroma of her mother's birria to the lasting impact of her father’s culinary and entrepreneurial skills, Jenny's culinary narrative pays homage to the generations that paved the way. "I look back at my dad, and I think that I am exactly like him. We're always happy, we're always loud, and we want to serve people," she reflects. Originally intending to return to Mexico, fate inter...
La Gente: Island Reggae Artist Siaosi
La Gente, Local San Diego

La Gente: Island Reggae Artist Siaosi

In the latest edition of La Gente, Hispanos Unidos sat down for an exclusive interview with Siaosi, exploring the intricate layers of his musical journey and artistic evolution. Island Reggae artist, Siaosi, pictured above. In the dynamic world of music, Island Reggae sensation Siaosi has not only etched his name in the industry but is also passionately committed to paving the way for emerging Pasifika artists.  His albums, "Blue Room" and "Everything is Good," charted in at #9 on Billboard but also produced island favorites like "Feluteni," "I'm Leavin," "All I Need," and "If You Were Mine." His collaborations with industry giants like Fiji, J Boog, and others in the reggae genre have been instrumental in his growth. "You can see the timeline of the growth in the music and the ...
La Gente: Artist Yahel Yan
Editor's Pick, La Gente

La Gente: Artist Yahel Yan

En el mundo del arte, donde los colores convergen y las emociones encuentran expresión, Yahel Yan brilla como un artista cuyo trabajo es una celebración de alegría y alegría. Yan, un artista originario de la Ciudad de México, se mudó a San Diego hace 23 años. Inicialmente se dedicó al diseño gráfico, con un título en ese campo, pero su verdadera vocación artística surgió más tarde, cuando comenzó a pintar. En 2019, tuvo su primera exposición individual, centrada en vibrantes pinturas acrílicas, en la Ashton Gallery de San Diego. Poco después, Yan se conectó con una comunidad de artistas conocida como "F1ve Artists", lo que los llevó aestablecer un estudio compartido en Liberty Station. El rico tapiz de colores y la vibrante cultura de México dejaron una marca indeleble en el viaj...
La Gente: Actor Ezequiel Pacheco
Editor's Pick, La Gente

La Gente: Actor Ezequiel Pacheco

Ezekiel Pacheco, conocido por su papel de Sapo en la serie de Netflix "On My Block", tiene un viaje nada menos que inspirador. Nacido en México y traído a Los Ángeles cuando era niño, la historia de Ezekiel sirve como un poderoso testimonio de la resiliencia y determinación de los beneficiarios de DACA y de todos los inmigrantes que enfrentan adversidades en su búsqueda del sueño americano. Su historia personal y la próxima película “At the Gates” de la que forma parte nos recuerdan la importancia de la empatía, la comprensión y el poder de la narración para arrojar luz sobre problemas de la vida real. Un Viaje de Resiliencia Ezekiel nació en México pero llegó a Los Ángeles cuando tenía un año. Creció creyendo que era estadounidense, sin ser consciente de las complejidades de su...
La Gente: Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent / President of Southwestern College
Editor's Pick, La Gente

La Gente: Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent / President of Southwestern College

Dr. Mark Sanchez, Superintendent / President of Southwestern College In a thought-provoking conversation, we discussed crucial topics regarding the Latino community with Dr. Mark Sanchez, President of Southwestern College. Dr. Sanchez, a respected figure in education, shared valuable insights on closing educational disparities and promoting equality.  Dr. Mark Sanchez's original career aspiration was to become a high school teacher, a goal that would ultimately lead to a transformative experience. His initial assignment placed him in a unique setting—working with migrant education students in Salinas, California. These students, who undertook demanding fieldwork in the early morning hours and returned to the fields after their daily classes, provided Dr. Sanchez with a profound...
La Gente: Actor and Filmmaker Chris Soriano
Editor's Pick, La Gente

La Gente: Actor and Filmmaker Chris Soriano

Chris Soriano, pictured above in a scene from his newest film, "The Master Chief" In our latest feature, we bring you an inspiring story of resilience and determination. Chris Soriano, a director, actor, and producer, has carved his path in the world of filmmaking, overcoming a series of hurdles and barriers along the way. We sat down with Soriano to discuss his upcoming film, "Master Chief," and to delve into the hardships he faced before achieving his dream. Chris Soriano's journey began in San Diego's Skyline-Paradise Hills area, but took a sharp turn as he entered his teenage years. At the age of 13, a violent gang initiation left him bloodied on his doorstep, prompting his mother to issue an ultimatum: reveal the details or continue homeschooling. Choosing the latter set th...
La Gente: Raúl Alcalá Pérez, General Manager for Escondido’s Safari Car Wash
Editor's Pick, La Gente, Local San Diego

La Gente: Raúl Alcalá Pérez, General Manager for Escondido’s Safari Car Wash

Raúl Alcalá Pérez, fotografiado arriba en el vestíbulo de Safari Car Wash, Escondido. Crédito de la foto: Hispanos Unidos En una conversación sincera con Raúl Alcalá Pérez, un nativo de Tijuana que se embarcó en un viaje a los Estados Unidos en busca de una vida mejor, descubrimos una historia inspiradora de resiliencia, ambición y el poder del apoyo inquebrantable. La historia de Raúl comienza en 2009 cuando llegó a San Diego a la edad de 18 años, impulsado por sus aspiraciones y determinación inquebrantable. Guiado por su mentor, Kevin Reed, a quien conoció en 2012, Raúl inicialmente se encontró en la industria del alquiler de automóviles, asumiendo varias responsabilidades. "Es un gran desafío cuando vienes de un país diferente. Realmente no conoces el idioma ni la gente. Es difí...