La Gente

Image credit: Alberto Lau-Chang (Desplácese hacia abajo para ver el artículo en español.) Nurturing Empathy and Gratitude: The Heartfelt Story of Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, Ph.D. Dr. Andrea Mendoza-Vasconez, an accomplished behavioral scientist, has traded in her academic career to focus on something profoundly personal: writing children’s books that foster empathy, gratitude, and positive mental health. Originally from Ecuador, Dr. Mendoza-Vasconez was raised in an environment that shaped not only her upbringing but also her approach to both parenting and storytelling. "It’s coming up now as I try to mother my own children, treating them the way I was treated—loving them and transmitting the values that I discuss in my books." she shared, reflecting on her roots. Her deep c...

Bridging Two Worlds to Build a More Inclusive Future Vanessa Muñoz’s life was shaped by the constant movement between two worlds. Growing up in Tijuana while attending school in San Ysidro, she learned early on what it meant to live in the in-between. “We’d cross the border every day,” she recalls. “We’d wake up at six, wait in those long lines to get into the U.S., and after a full day of school, we wouldn’t end the day until 10pm. Then we would travel back to Mexico, and we’d repeat that every single day.” This constant movement across borders required Vanessa to balance two cultures. At home, Spanish was the language of family and community. “Spanish is my first language, and that’s how I communicated with my parents and family,” she shares. “But in school, they expected you ...

Chef Itze Behar (Desplácese hacia abajo para leer el artículo en español.) Chef Itze Behar: Redefining Baja Cuisine and Empowering Women in the Culinary World From the streets of Tijuana to the helm of one of San Diego’s most exciting culinary ventures, Chef Itze Behar’s story is one of perseverance, creativity, and an unshakable belief in the power of community and locally sourced ingredients. At Black Radish, she’s not just serving food; she’s telling a story—one that celebrates her heritage, empowers women, and showcases the beauty of Baja cuisine. Chef Itze Behar’s culinary journey is deeply intertwined with her upbringing in Tijuana, where the flavors and aromas of local cuisine filled the air. Growing up in this bustling border city, she found inspiration in the everyda...

(Desplácese Hacia Abajo Para Ver el Artículo en Español) Katie Ruiz, a Chicana artist whose journey from a dual-cultural upbringing to becoming a celebrated craftivist embodies the transformative power of art, will be the focus of Art, Power, Equity's (APE) latest initiative. APE—an arts-based enterprise promoting equity, access, and opportunity in the creative economy—announced a series of three artist residencies this summer, continuing their "Curator-in-Residence" partnership that began in 2021. Ruiz, known for her captivating blend of paintings, fiber sculpture, and her groundbreaking community initiative, the Pompom Project, will take center stage in this collaborative effort. In this interview, she shares her experiences, struggles, and the evolution of her artistic vision, e...

In an exciting cultural event, the Chrome Ball Tour, organized by San Diego FC (SDFC), makes its highly anticipated stop in Chula Vista this Saturday, marking the fifth and largest leg of its 2024 journey. The initiative promises a day filled with free soccer events, live musical performances, and a showcase of local talent. This tour heralds an exciting chapter for SDFC, setting the stage for their inaugural MLS season in 2025. At the core of this celebration are three remarkable artists: Chikle!, Josué Baltezar and Paola Villaseñor. Their artwork, ranging from street murals to graphic designs, reflects the diverse heritage and vibrant essence of San Diego. In exclusive interviews conducted by Hispanos Unidos, these artists share their inspirations, aspirations, and deep connection to...

(Desplázate hacia abajo para ver el artículo en Español.) Chilean-Italian conductor Paolo Bortolameolli's journey into the realm of music is a captivating narrative of passion, determination, and the universal language of artistry. In this exclusive interview, Paolo shares his captivating tale, revealing the transformative power of music and the universal connections it forges across borders and cultures. At the age of seven, Paolo experienced a life-altering moment when he attended a symphony orchestra performance with his father. Overwhelmed by the music and deeply moved by the conductor's performance, Paolo found himself in tears. In that poignant moment, he realized that conducting was his true calling, igniting a lifelong passion for music. "I understood that this was going...

Alessandro Gentile (left) and Luis C. Garza (right) In the collaborative venture behind the film "Razón de Ser" filmmaker Alessandro Gentile and renowned photographer Luis C. Garza found themselves drawn together by an initial intention to create a marketing piece for Garza's book, 'The Other Side of Memory.' However, Gentile's fascination with Garza's extraordinary life story led to deeper conversations and a profound connection. This serendipitous encounter laid the foundation for a collaborative journey aimed at uncovering the untold narratives of Garza's remarkable life. This Q&A session marks a departure from our usual format, where ‘La Gente' typically tells the story. Instead, we're allowing Luis C. Garza and Alessandro Gentile to lead the narrative with their own words. ...

(Scroll down for article in English) Explorando la Identidad Afro-Mexicana: Una Conversación con la Cineasta Medhin Tewolde En el ámbito del cine mexicano, Medhin Tewolde se erige como una luz guía de la representación y la narrativa. A través de su lente, no sólo explora la identidad afro-mexicana, sino que también desafía las narrativas convencionales que la rodean, explorando temas de racismo y resiliencia. En una entrevista exclusiva con Hispanos Unidos, Tewolde comparte su trayectoria, inspiraciones y esperanzas para el futuro. El debut cinematográfico de Medhin Tewolde, "Negra" una conmovedora exploración del racismo y la experiencia de las mujeres negras en México, recibió elogios de la crítica, solidificando su dedicación a la identidad afro-mexicana. Animada por su é...