SXSW isn’t just about films, music and technology. Some of the conversations that I’m most drawn to are about our collective humanity. One powerful session that I attended was about hunger in Texas and what we can do about it. Last year at SXSW, I caught up with Lawson Picasso, a community advocate for social justice and holistic systemic changes. She was a part of a session titled: Hunger Games: Who is Winning in our Broken System? The conversation centered around why are so many Texans going hungry today and the history of hunger in Texas and what can be done to eliminate hunger. Panel ..read more

Over the weekend, I spoke with the legendary Rita Moreno over the phone. She is a legendary actress, an outspoken activist and one of only 18 EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) Award winners. In our conversation, Moreno opened up about leadership, the entertainment industry today and her feelings about her work over the years.  Rita Moreno and Melanie Mendez Gonzales, San Antonio, TX, 2019 I asked Rita to define leadership in her own words. They were “honesty and authenticity.” She went on to add, “presenting yourself in a rather simple and naked way is what makes a really good example for ..read more

Just like there’s no one way to be Latina, there’s no one way to create an ofrenda. However, guidelines and some history do help when creating your first ofrenda. And, there are some essentials needed. I’m listing my 8 essential elements to build a Dia de Muertos ofrenda. My family and I have created some form of a Dia de Muertos ofrenda each year for the last 10 – 11 years. We had no idea what we were doing when we first started since it was the first time for all of us. Neither my husband nor I grew up celebrating this Mexican holiday. I was determined to make it a tradition for my boys and ..read more

“The Flash” is a highly anticipated film that combines thrilling superhero action with a heartfelt and emotionally charged narrative. We have been waiting for it since before the pandemic. Directed by Andy Muschietti, this movie captivates audiences with its remarkable storytelling, diverse cast, and nostalgic references while presenting a fresh and original take on the beloved comic book story. And, have I mentioned that “The Flash” stars the first Latina Supergirl? TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO SPECIAL SCREENING, JUNE 2023 Queridos, look who is the front row! We had a blast at the screening with Latina ..read more

“Flamin’ Hot” is an inspiring biographical drama that portrays incredible journey of Richard Montañez, a Chicano and the creator of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Directed by Eva Longoria, this film is a tribute to the power of determination, innovation, and the pursuit of the American dream pero with lots of love and Chicanos. A Tribute to the Power of Determination and Innovation The story follows Richard Montañez (played byJesse Garcia), a Mexican-American who finds himself as a janitor working at the Frito-Lay plant in the 1980s when he realizes it’s time to put his old ways behind him to provide fo ..read more

This post was developed in collaboration with the Ready to Work. All thoughts and opinions are always my own. When I hear about the unemployment rate in the news, the most important thing I think about is the quality of those jobs. Ready to Work is designed to support individuals in increasing their employability for higher-quality jobs. Quality jobs give our San Antonio community the opportunity to do something we enjoy, to be able to pay our bills and to spend time with our friends and family. Help me tell everyone about Ready to Work, so they can grab those opportunities. Melanie at La Vela ..read more

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post in collaboration with San Antonio Water System (SAWS). All opinions are my own. In addition to the utility services that SAWS provides to San Antonio residents and businesses, they also provide educational programs to our local students and adults. For over 25 years, this program has delivered dynamic, inspirational experiences for all age groups so they are connected to the value of water and confident in their water supply and water utility. In this blog post, you will learn how my family experienced some of these programs firsthand; about the new Academy ..read more

I have not been shy about how much I adore the work of Jorge Gutierrez. BOOK OF LIFE is still to this day one of my favorite movies to watch. Not just favorite animated movies but favorite movies. That is in large part due to the animation and imagery, though. So, yes, I was thrilled to learn that Gutierrez was behind the upcoming MAYA AND THE THREE. Here are three things that I loved about it and why you should watch it. 1. There is emphasis on taking responsibility for our actions while embracing our community, herencia and familia. Any person who has a bigger vision for their life can rela ..read more

In September 2021, this little blog of mine turned 10 years old! TEN! I still can’t believe I’ve been blogging for a whole decade. What do you do to celebrate 10 years of blogging? Throw una fiesta of course! All Photos by Geremy Landin The idea of throwing this party sounded fantastic up until it came time to plan the party. Then, the imposter syndrome set it. Who am I to celebrate writing blog posts and social media posts about Latino community and cultura for 10 years? Pero, thanks to some amazing amigas, I got over that – actually, I pushed through – and planned the party anyway! Because o ..read more

Guest Author: Danielle Navarro, Reading Interventionist at Lighthouse Public Schools Summer is HERE! Get ready for endless days of hearing kids say, “I’m bored.” How can you cure boredom as well as incorporate learning into the long days? It can seem unachievable because summer is supposed to be fun. This post will give you some ideas for exciting science experiments to do with your child that will make them forget they are learning something. So how do we incorporate learning with experiments? First, introduce the activity and make a hypothesis. That’s a juicy word for summer but it’s a ..read more