It’s Hispanic Heritage Month again and it’s me, your friendly neighborhood Afro-Latinx creative here to remind you that you can’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month without acknowledging African contributions.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. Created to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Most people are used to these celebrations starting at the first of the month and continuing all month long. However, it starts on September 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. The theme for this year is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation .”
So far I’ve given you a list of Afro-Latinx businesses to support year-round. And I’ve told you of some Panamanians you should be following online. But my platform also serves as a place to center the voices of Afro-Latinos in all areas. So now I’m introducing you to some Afro-Latinx creatives I enjoy following.
1. Gloria Malone
An award-winning digital communicator with years of experience creating written content, speaking publicly on culture and policy and establishing reciprocal partnerships. Gloria uses her platforms to create reels and TikToks on Afro-Latinx culture and history. Her platform resonated with me because I love learning more about the culture and she has provided me with a wealth of information.
2. Jen White-Johnson
Disabled Afro-Latina/ Boricua Artist, Designer, Educator, and Neurodivergent Mama who uses her platforms to uplift disability justice. From her website: “The sole intention is to empower and activate change encouraging communities to engage in conversations about acceptance, rooted in how Black Neurodivergent children are valued and seen.”
3. Franchela Franco
Founder of Mujeres of all shades. This stylist, model, and upcoming designer was born in the Virgin Islands, to Dominican parents. One of her biggest passions is motivating women to be the best version of themselves and encouraging women to be bold and embrace who they are.
4. Tally Dilbert
Afro-Latinx creative who uses her platforms to educate people on anti-blackness in the Latin community. This Honduran beauty based in San Antonio, TX, started sharing her videos educating people on the lack of Afro-Latino representation. She now serves as the Marketing Manager for Bomba Curls, another Afro-Latino-owned business.
5. Abby Jahaira
This Cruzan-Dominican-Rican beauty currently resides in New Orleans. She started as a YouTube personality sharing her natural hair videos. Now her platforms include beauty routines, product reviews, and overall self-care/lifestyle practices.
6. Eliana Reyes
Eliana is a dynamic Afro-Latina with a big personality and an infectious smile. She’s an actor, model, producer, and director! This Afro-Latina does it all! She has over 10 years of speaking and public performance experience. From her website: “Her goal is to create shows, movies, and series that tell the stories of the unsilent majority prioritizing Black & Afro-Latinx experiences and also acting in them and to live a full life using her creativity and talent to break barriers, forge new paths and empower others to feel worthy of pursuing their wildest dreams.”
7. Jackii De La Rosa
Based in Atlanta, GA, this Afro-Latina lifestyle content creator inspires positivity and perspective. She gives product reviews for natural products, expertise in hair and is a skin care enthusiast.
Social media has played such a huge role in our culture but Afro-Latinx creatives are still fighting for visibility in a lot of social media campaigns.
Afro-Latinx creatives have spoken for a while about the need for representation and equal opportunities. Now we are just creating our own opportunities.
I know I have left off quite a few creatives! Please let us know in the comments who we should be following!
My children are Afro-Latinos. I’m Jamaican and my husband is Panamanian. I learned to speak spanish from my husband. So my children knew both languages. Whether I spoke to them in spanish or my native language it always was a stare. My oldest son was asked his name, when he said it and automatically it was your to dark to be or speak spanish. They wanted me to not speak to them in spanish so I did. Their older know and appreciates both cultures. Keep up the good work with educating people if their thinking.