Who Do You Want To Inspire? - Sietefoods.com

Siete Foods Latino Heritage Month 2023
   
   
This Latino Heritage Month, we are uplifting people who inspire us because Juntos Inspiramos! In honor of our Latino community—past, present, and future—we are celebrating those who inspire us with the hope of inspiring others, too.
    

We asked inspiring Latinos in our community who THEY want to inspire. 

Read their responses below!

 

Katie Gutierrez

Katie Gutierrez is the author of the national bestselling, Edgar Award-nominated debut novel More Than You'll Ever Know. We're inspired by her success and her work to bring representation to literature. It warms our hearts to read a book set in our very own hometown by an author who grew up there, too! 

   

Q: Who do you want to inspire?

A: Maybe not surprisingly, my children inspire me! I want them to grow up seeing their mother dreaming big and working hard toward her dreams, and to also see me sometimes fail and start over—which happens again and again in a writer's life. I also hope my work inspires the next generation of Mexican-American writers in South Texas (and young Latine writers in general). As of 2020, only about 7% of published books are by Latine authors, despite the fact that we make up 19% of the U.S. population, and this needs to change. I'm so proud that my novel is part of a larger, beautiful body of work by Latine authors, and I hope that together we make it clear: our voices are important and crucial. Our perspective matters. Our potential knows no bounds.
  
Katie Gutierrez Headshot
   
       

Sandra Velasquez

Sandra Velasquez is the founder of Nopaleraa skincare brand that makes bath and body products with traditional ingredients. We are inspired by Sandra's passion for highlighting her Mexican-American culture using ingredients like the nopal, or cactus, that is so important in Mexican culture. 

Q: Who do you want to inspire?

A: I want to inspire women to believe in their full potential. The most powerful story in the world is the one we tell ourselves. When women harness the full power of their imagination and vision it brings confidence and clarity. The result is a new world.
   
Sandra Velasquez Headshot
     
    

TK Tunchez

TK Tunchez is the founder of Las Ofrendas, a handmade accessories and jewelry shop right here in Austin, Texas. TK is also a founder of Frida Fridays ATX, a festive opportunity for women and people of color to sell their creative goods and artwork! It's a wonderful space for people to come together and celebrate culture while supporting artists and creators, too. TK's commitment to creating safe spaces like this for her community inspires us! 

Q: Who do you want to inspire? 

A: I want to inspire the seven generations in front of me, that's who I'm always thinking about. The people who are going to come after us and able to look at us as their elders. And the people who are going to be able to model their lives after the fierce women that we are.