I have SOMETHING to say!

“It’s OK to be a copycat, as long as you’re copying the right cat,” shared Chris Brignolle, South East Executive Director for the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE), a global nonprofit that ignites the entrepreneurial mindset and builds startup skills in young people to ensure their success. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY we discussed, among other topics, how in business you don't necessarily have to reinvent the wheel; you just need to do it better or differently than your competition, whether you’re delivering a product or service.

A Brooklyn native, Chris experienced the devastating loss of a close friend as a young adult still trying to sort out what to do with his life. This propelled him to take a trip to Miami for a few weeks and he never went back to New York. He started working with youth, who like him, were trying to find their path and he was hooked from the get-go. Seeing himself reflected in the younger people he was supporting and guiding, he immediately owned and stepped into his purpose.

Chris began his journey with NFTE in 2006 as a Program Director, responsible for promoting and implementing the organization’s entrepreneurial mindset. Since then, his mission has been to ignite the imagination that takes students through the process of identifying solutions to problems and creating and refining an original business concept.He generouslydedicates his time to working with students, teachers, volunteers, and administrative staff from community-based organizations to assist with tailored NFTE program implementation. This includes pitch competitions throughout the year which my colleague Michelle Cortes and I have both been honored to judge. For decades, NFTE has been literally preparing each new generation of CEOs and bridging the gap of access to business readiness for underestimated youth.

Beyond the passion Chris infuses within NFTE, he’s also an entrepreneur in his own right. For the past fourteen years, he has successfully launched a few companies in various industries: Fashion, Media, and most recently an importing and exporting company titled Nicaragua Cargo Express Inc. He’s proud to say that his teenage children have also caught the entrepreneurship bug…they know Dad is the cat you want to copy. Me too!

Anti-immigrant laws impact the economy and our humanity. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, my dear friend Samuel Vilchez Santiago, with whom I’ve advocated for social justice causes at the local, state, and national levels, joins me to talk about Florida Senate Bill 1718 in effect July 1st, and its impact to our community, economy, and cost of living.

Samuel is Florida State Director of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC), a bipartisan organization that engages activists, advocates, business leaders, and elected officials on the urgency of passing immigration reform that boosts our economy, creates jobs, eases the labor shortage, and supports families.

He reminds us of the quote by Martin Niemöller: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” Samuel also reminds us that anti-immigrant laws are nothing new.Proposition 187 in 1994 sought to limit services to undocumented immigrantsand required verifying and reporting the immigration status of all individuals, including children. After 5 years of advocacy, this law was voided.

SB 1718 in Florida, passed WITHOUT making it a felony to transport or live under the same roof with an undocumented person, under penalty of spending 15 years in prison, because of the strong bipartisan advocacy of the church community and organizations like ABIC.“This would have affected me directly because my grandmother came to visit from Venezuela, and we are in the process of getting everything in order for her to stay with us, but her undocumented status would have made it a felony for us to care for her. Thankfully, advocacy works, and we are determined to overturn this law altogether,” Samuel shares.

It's hard to determine the impact of SB 1718 because investments are rarely made into doing research about our community. The Mexican Consulate in Orlando assisted 200 people daily, and they’re now down to 40. Many construction sites are at a standstill. Latino families are panic-stricken this Back-to-School season, especially those with mixed status.

Florida's economy will lose billions in spending power and the taxes contributed by immigrants. Businesses in Tourism, Hospitality, Construction, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and Healthcare across the state are starting to feel the impact, too, because 1 in 4 workers in Florida is (was?) an immigrant.

Floridianswill now also likely see the price of food and housing go up as undocumented workers and their families leave the state. They are leaving for Georgia and the Carolinas.Florida already has the nation's highest inflation rate, sitting at 9% in comparison to 4% in the rest of the country. Take heed, speak out, so there's someone there when they come for you.

“The Daughters of Latin America are spread throughout the four corners of the world, and they are bound by their connection to the land no matter where they are,” says Sandra Guzmán, award-winning author, editor, and documentary filmmaker in this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY.

For decades, Sandra’s work has explored identity, land, memory, race, sexuality, spirituality, culture, and gender. She was a producer of The Pieces I Am, a critically-acclaimed documentary about the art and life of her literary mentor Toni Morrison, and she is the author of the non-fiction feminist book, The New Latina’s Bible. In all of her projects she’s guided by what she needs to be doing at the present. And THAT’s the present – the gift.

During the pandemic, Sandra was presented, gifted, the opportunity to curate and edit Daughters of Latin America, a groundbreaking anthology released this week by Amistad Press, an imprint of HarperCollins. Through this book, she creates a space to illuminate brilliant writers who have achieved acclaim, are on the rise, and women who have been underappreciated, erased, and forgotten. These Daughters skillfully express themselves through poetry, speeches, letters, essays, drama, memoirs, humor, short stories, songs, chants, diaries, and novels. Sandra masterfully weaves his collective work from 140 women writers, scholars, and activists from across the world that spans time, styles, languages, and traditions.

“As an Afro-Indigenous woman from Puerto Rico, my first instinct was to include indigenous and African Latinas and defy the imperialist definition of what comprises Latin America,” Sandra explains, highlighting the inclusion of voices from Haiti, Guadalupe, Brazil, Mazateca, and other non-Spanish speaking nations. This required a team of several dozen translators to step in to expertly deliver the writings in English for the book launch this week, and for the Spanish version that will come out in November.

In one word Sandra expresses her gratitude for everyone involved in the birth of this book that will bring the voices of Latine women out of their invisibility – “I want to say, Bo’matum, the sacred thank you in Taíno.”

There’s chaos in Hollywood – the writers' strike paralyzed production and everyone attached to the entertainment industry is feeling it. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, I have an enlightening conversation with Miguel Berg, the CEO of Bravoecho Entertainment, to discuss the topic of navigating Hollywood and owning our stories. Miguel brings with him over 15 years of experience in the industry. Having worked in various capacities and learning from those who have paved the way before him, he recognizes the need for change in Hollywood, which also INCLUDES increasing the representation of Latino executives.

Miguel candidly sheds light on the underrepresentation of Latinos in Hollywood. He highlights the startling statistics that reveal the lack of Latino executives, with less than 2.1% of TV executives and 1.8% of film executives being Latino, according to the 2020 UCLA Diversity Report. Moreover, he emphasizes the immense untapped potential of the Latino community's $2.8 trillion consuming power. It’s a pretty simple business proposition – the more we see ourselves in the stories that are produced, the more we will spend to see/listen/experience said stories. Miguel’s knowledge of the transformative potential of diverse representation in the entertainment industry led him to exercise entrepreneurship in this space by founding Bravoecho Entertainment.

As we explore the challenges of navigating Hollywood and the importance of owning our stories, Miguel shares first-hand accounts of triumph and determination in the face of adversity. Throughout his journey, Miguel has experienced a lack of recognition and opportunities for Latino professionals. He has been told he wasn't "major leagues enough" and was discouraged from standing out and embracing his diverse range of skills. Despite this, Miguel remained proud to represent his culture and his experience as a first-generation Colombian American in the industry.

Miguel's success has not been without its share of allies and champions who have supported him along the way. He acknowledges the individuals who have stood by him during challenging times and recognizes their contributions to his success. Together with a group of talented, fierce, and diverse executives, Miguel is committed to building collective stories and igniting the flames of change that the industry of entertainment desperately needs.

I think we can all agree that “making it” in the music industry requires a champion. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY, I’m joined by José Maldonado, Account Manager at Marmoset Music, a pioneering music agency based in Portland, Oregon. He shares his inspiring journey into the music industry and his role in creating pathways to mainstream media for independent artists.

José's introduction to Marmoset came in 2016 when he attended a “Listening Hour” hosted by the company. Instantly captivated by the atmosphere and the mission of Marmoset, he knew that he wanted to be a part of this creative community. Although he didn't get the job initially, his perseverance paid off, and he was eventually called upon to join them. From that moment, José found a place where career growth, inclusivity, and a true sense of community converge.

Working at Marmoset, the world's first B Corporation music agency, allows him to fulfill his purpose and contribute to important causes. As a music agency, Marmoset represents diverse, emerging, and independent artists, bands, and record labels for licensing. Their Music Production Team specializes in creating original music, soundtracks, and scores for brand campaigns, film, and television, revolutionizing the mainstream media landscape, empowering independent artists, and championing diversity and inclusion in the music industry. Marmoset's values shine through in their daily interactions, their flexibility and adaptability, their passion, and their collaborative nature. They challenge, encourage, empathize, and listen offering unwavering support to local and indie artists.

During this episode, José sheds light on Marmoset's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as a Certified B Corporation. As a person with an immigrant background, José is deeply passionate about immigrant rights and social justice. He emphasizes the significance of representing underserved and underrepresented artists in the mainstream media industry. Marmoset goes beyond just providing tangible opportunities; they also identify diverse talent, provide capacity building, and foster collaboration among artists. By listening to their interests and dreams, Marmoset creates an environment conducive to growth and success.

The company's values can be applied to recruitment practices across all industries where representation is critical. Marmoset believes in upskilling individuals, fostering collaboration through peer-to-peer mentorship, and connecting people with the right resources and networks to help them achieve their career goals.

Health disparities persist because the disconnect between managerial teams at service providers and the populations they serve persists as well. In this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY I talk about the uphill battle to change how we deliver healthcare with Dr. Edith M. Nieves López, a fierce advocate for health equity and creating clear pathways for minoritized people to access effective and culturally mindful care.

Dr. Nieves López is a board-certified, bilingual pediatrician with over 10 years of experience. Her work in the U.S. healthcare system is informed by having initiated her medical career in Puerto Rico – which affords her a different perspective. As a Puerto Rican doctor working with Puerto Rican patients in Puerto Rico, the lack of historical context and cultural considerations in patient-centered care was not a thing to worry about. Her knowledge of historical context and cultural considerations was embedded into the provision of medical attention and treatments, and it was expected.

Transitioning to working in the U.S. mainland in the public health arena has now afforded Dr. Nieves López first-hand hands-on experience with diverse patients, and due to her unique “outsider” lens, she was quickly able to identify inefficiencies, disparities, opportunities, improvements, and solutions that can enhance the well-being and quality of life of patients of color. What’s even MORE awesome about her is that she’s not shy about calling out social injustices that impact health equity, physical and mental health, and survival rates.

A true and vocal advocate, Dr. Nieves-López states, “Communities do not need representatives, they need us to listen to their collective wisdom to design and enact effective policy. There are key players in the system opposing measures that would effectively empower our community. Public health will continue to fail communities as long as this power structure stays in place.”

There are so many career choices these days for youth entering the workforce making it daunting to “find yourself”. If you add to that the shift to automation, a new remote work culture, and increased value/acceptance of certifications vs. degrees, it’s enough to make your head spin. So, I invited my friend Magda Vargas-Battle, Founder and President of Performance Improvement to be my guest in this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY to share specifics about digital career assessment tools that serve as a compass for youth.

With over 20 years of experience in Business Consulting, Recruitment, Talent Management, Behavioral & Skills Assessments, and Professional Development, Magda is very adept at helping humans reach their full potential. She realized that there was a void in supporting today’s youth using competency assessments that could help guide them, especially Latino students and their families. Magda is on a mission to share the availability of Tu Talento Finder (Your Talent Finder), an online, customized, and validated bilingual tool to successfully identify skills and gaps to direct youth toward the career paths that will bring them joy. It determines which jobs (out of 400+) will best align with each student taking into account three factors: their Cognitive Abilities, Personality Traits, and Interests.

My daughter Catalina who is 13 already knows the career path she wants to take, so I asked her to take the assessment (worth every penny and it didn’t break the bank). She completed the Tu Talento Finder assessment in 45 minutes and within seconds she had her reports. We marveled at how spot-on the results were: she will find joy and will excel working in production within a creative field. Magda says that the reports are helpful for both students who are unsure about the professions they want to explore, and those who are decided. “It helps boost their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of security in the choices they make, alleviating uncertainty, anxiety, and self-doubt,” she emphasizes. To learn more about Tu Talento Finder, visit: https://www.tutalentofinder.com

Only 8% of professionals in STEM careers identify as Latino, while 20% of the U.S. population is Hispanic. This will change for the better thanks to the commitment and dedication of people like Ana Vaca, our guest in this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. As a Mathematics educator, Ana is passionate about creating an equitable classroom environment that encourages students to see their potential as learners of mathematics, and in pursuing a wide variety of career paths to debunk stereotypical societal expectations.

Ana gets it. She’s a first-generation immigrant who can empathize with the challenges and barriers experienced by undocumented and mixed-status students. This is why she strives to create safe and inclusive spaces in schools that support the unique needs of immigrant families. By leading professional development and immigrant-centered workshops to create a learning environment where all students, regardless of their immigration status, can achieve their fullest potential, SHE IS PAYING IT FORWARD.

You see, Ana is very thankful for the adults who once guided her as an undocumented student learning how to navigate the U.S. school system. She fondly recalls how from an early age her teachers noticed her brain was wired to excel in Math. So, they mentored her, helped her enroll in STEM programs, and encouraged her to pursue a college degree.  She realizes how blessed she was because this was not (and still isn’t) the experience of many Hispanic children who are often dismissed as candidates for university studies – much less in engineering, technology, math, or science.

Thanks to her advocates and champions, Ana went on to earn a B.S. in Mathematics and followed her passion for teaching. Each day, she pays it forward by mentoring, guiding, and instructing entire families. Through her devoted attention to both their academic, and basic human needs she makes sure immigrant youth have the necessary resources to fulfill their dreams and attain socioeconomic mobility along with their parents.

In 2017, when Hurricane María impacted Puerto Rico, I met Dr. Ashley Saucier through email and then a phone call. She had access to medical supplies and planes and was in the thick of coordinating disaster relief and medicine to be flown there. We quickly became comrades (or comadres) sharing information and supporting each other’s efforts to help prevent an even larger health crisis on the island – depleted of most of its resources.

We reconnected through LinkedIn a few weeks ago and in this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY she shares how she’s become an influencer and healthcare advocate from the lens of being a mom AND a physician specializing in pediatric emergency medicine. After the catastrophic flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where she’s from, Dr. Saucier along with some of her friends, formed BREAC225 (Baton Rouge Emergency Aid Coalition). Since then, they have been able to aid in hurricane, flood, and other disaster relief efforts due to their expertise in the matter and because their hearts are filled with compassion.  She’s also part of a network of thousands of ‘mom physicians’ from across the country that are quick to intervene in moments of crisis.

When Dr. Saucier is not saving someone, she’s being a scientist and encouraging her two boys to get down and dirty with their home experiments. “Kids are born scientists, and there are many ways you can foster curiosity, experimentation, and discovery in children right at home. It’s OK if they make a mess!,” she shares. After being terminated by the hospital she had been working for almost a decade, she’s now dedicating her time to exercising entrepreneurship. Amid this transition, Dr. Saucier is excited to have the freedom of investing her energy and resources into creating a platform that will provide parents with easy, fun, and inexpensive ways to do science at home. And while she certainly hopes no other catastrophes happen, if they do, she will continue to show up for communities in need to help lessen their sense of fear, loss, and despair. Ashley, you are my SHERO!!!

Timing is everything. Joe Lugo, Founder & CEO of J^3 Creations and I have been trying to have this conversation since FOREVER. As Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) experts we are faced with the constant challenge of clarifying what DEI is and is not. And with this week’s new law banning DEI from being taught in State colleges in Florida (we both live in the Sunshine State – yeesh!), the Universe had already afforded us some time LAST WEEK to record this episode of I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY focused on…yeah, you got that right…DEI!

Joe and I discuss the differences between a multicultural marketing agency and DEI practitioners, and how they can complement each other, despite their very distinctive roles. We agree that “Sunday morning is the most segregated hour across the nation,” as Joe observes, and that although multicultural marketing agencies have been around for decades creating culturally relevant campaigns to attract diverse consumers (oftentimes perpetuating stereotypes, too), practicing DEI is about advocacy for social justice in the workplace and society anchored in respect for human life and dignity. “Disrespect is disconnect,” adds Joe, and he’s right. Diverse employees, consumers, vendors, and communities who do not feel valued and respected will simply disengage.

We are now counting on Corporate America to double down on their investment in building trust through DEI before bans are passed to control what you can or cannot do as a private business in the free market (i.e., the State of FL vs. Disney). Why? DEI is good for business. Following are some basic distinctions between multicultural marketing and DEI:

• Multicultural Focus: Understand nuances of diverse cultural/ethnic groups, with the goal of connecting with specific demographics.

DEI Focus: Create inclusive and equitable environments, address systemic biases, promote diversity, and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals.

• Multicultural Target: Reach audiences within cultural/ethnic groups with messages tailored to their values, customs, language, and preferences.

DEI Target: Create a sense of belonging for all individuals, regardless of background, by addressing systemic inequities and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels.

• Multicultural Strategies: Campaigns, traditional and digital media, public relations, and other forms of communication that deliver diverse groups.

DEI Strategies: Inclusive policies, diversity training, and addressing bias in recruitment and promotion practices.

• Multicultural Agency: Primarily operates in the marketing and advertising industry, serving clients who want to target specific cultural or ethnic markets.

DEI Experts: Work across various sectors including corporate, nonprofit, government, education, and healthcare, aiming to foster inclusive and equitable environments.

• Multicultural Outcomes: Successful marketing campaigns that resonate with diverse target audiences, resulting in increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and revenue.

DEI Outcomes: Workplaces where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities, leading to improved employee satisfaction, productivity, and organizational performance.

• Multicultural Expertise: Cultural research, market analysis, language adaptation, and effective communication strategies tailored to specific cultural/ethnic groups.

DEI Expertise: Knowledge of diversity issues, social justice, equity frameworks, organizational change, and the design and implementation of DEI initiatives/programs.