Cadena Collective

Before Rita Moreno came to be, she was born Rosa Dolores Alverío on December 11, 1931 in Humacao, Puerto Rico. Her childhood was spent on a farm, up until she was 5 years old when her mother had saved up enough money to move to New York. There, she took dance classes, and at the age of 11, she was hired to voice over for American children in film who’d appear in Spanish-speaking countries. Her first appearance on Broadway came at the age of 13 where she made her debut in Skydrift (1945). 

Perhaps one of Mexico’s most iconic figures is “La Doña”, otherwise known as María Félix. Octavio Paz wrote, "María was born twice: her parents begat her, and she later invented herself". María de los Ángeles Félix was born on April 8, 1914 in Álamos, Sonora to Bernardo Félix Flores, a military officer, and Josefina Güereña Rosa.

I shared on my Instagram post about being Black, Hispanic and a DACA Recipient; sometimes I feel like all the odds are against me. I've experienced racism, discrimination and hurtful comments simply because I am all of these things. I have at times been forced to choose a race/ethnicity and have been told that I am not welcomed in this country. Despite all of this, I will continue to walk with my head held high. My parents have sacrificed too much for me to be beaten down by the opinions and actions of others.

The first time I felt the Virgen’s presence was when I was seven. I remember the day we left Mexico to be reunited with our dad. I remember the tearful goodbyes as we jumped into the truck and la bendicion my grandparents gave us as they gestured the sign of the cross in the air. Most of all I remember my uncle handing my mom a figure of la Virgen de Guadalupe. When I held her, I felt my faith begin to grow. She kept us company throughout the journey to our new home in el norte, she was there when we were re-united with our dad, and...