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Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Diversity

An Interview with Keyla Araujo for Hispanic Heritage Month

As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, it’s vital to spotlight voices that reflect the richness of our community. I had the privilege of speaking with Keyla Araujo, who shared her thoughts on the significance of this month and her experiences as a Hispanic woman! 

 Why Is This Important to You?

“It is important for people to know that we are not a monolith,” she says. This understanding fosters appreciation and respect for the unique stories within our community. 

Keyla emphasizes the importance of recognizing that Hispanic and Latino individuals come from diverse backgrounds and may look different. When asked what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her, Keyla explains, “It is a time to recognize the contributions that we offer—a time to be seen and to see how diverse we are.” For her, celebrating goes beyond the month itself; it’s about the food, music, and traditions she passes on to her children. “It starts conversations and helps people learn about other stories.”

There are ripple affects of a society that’s intentional about celebrating the diversity of its inhabitants, and, of course, instabilities and inconsistencies in a society that will not. Keyla brings a great deal of wisdom and creativity in making the Hispanic community both accessible, but also reminding us how incomplete we will be if we stifle any part of the Hispanic voice and all that it adds to our city. 

Keyla celebrates her heritage in various ways, from decorating her workspace (if you haven’t seen her door at ECC, check it out) to sharing traditional dishes at her church. “We bring different foods because we all come from different cultures,” she notes. Sharing native clothing and the meaning behind their flags enriches the experience. “It’s so easy to lose your background, so it’s important we tell our stories.”

A Few Words On Cherished Family Traditions

Keyla holds family traditions close to her heart, especially the celebration of the Three Kings. “I used to participate as a kid, eagerly anticipating gifts under my bed,” she recalls. She also celebrates Dominican Independence Day, where food plays a central role in honoring her heritage. Keyla draws inspiration from the strong women in her family, particularly her mother and aunts. “They’ve always done the best they can despite not receiving the support they deserve,” she says. Their resilience and leadership motivate her to continue embracing her culture, and carry on the traditions that mean so much to her. 

Community Significance

Keyla sees her community making positive strides, particularly in connecting with youth. “We ensure they don’t lose their language,” she explains. Her family has always welcomed newcomers, providing support and fostering a sense of belonging. “It takes a village,” she emphasizes. 

While we celebrate the progress of a city striving towards greater inclusivity and to embrace the heritage of all those around us, challenges still exist. Addressing these challenges faced by the Hispanic community, Keyla notes the negative stereotypes that often paint them as criminals. “Many come here seeking the American dream,” she explains. To overcome these challenges, she believes in speaking up and sharing their culture, despite the pressure she feels as a Black Hispanic woman to act in a certain way. 

In this pursuit, Keyla actively recognizes contributions from Hispanic culture that often go unnoticed. “I’m still learning about our history,” she admits, sharing a newfound appreciation for the inventor of color television, who was Mexican. “We need to dig into our history because it’s not always taught.” 

One aspect of her heritage that she takes pride in is her bilingualism. “Spanish is my superpower,” she exclaims. The ability to switch between languages effortlessly allows her to connect with and support others.

Education and Awareness

Keyla is also intentional about celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month as it raises awareness about Hispanic culture and history, fostering understanding and appreciation. Keyla hopes that Hispanic Heritage Month will continue to grow in significance, providing a platform for dialogue and celebration of diverse identities. 

Keyla’s Hispanic heritage has shaped her and her worldview profoundly. “My faith and my heritage are my two pillars,” she says, guiding her actions and decisions. She recognizes the privilege of having a supportive family and aims to help others in her community–which she does often. 🙂 

Takeaway

Keyla Araujo’s reflections on Hispanic Heritage Month highlight the importance of celebrating diversity within the Hispanic community. By sharing her experiences and insights, she encourages us all to recognize our unique stories and foster a deeper understanding of one another. Let’s continue to uplift these voices and celebrate the richness of our heritage together! 

The Woman by the Well

By Mayra Rodriguez

A woman unworthy to have her name recorded in history but powerful enough to have her story recorded in one of the most powerful and influential books of all times, The Bible. She is known as, “The Woman by the Well”. 

A Samaritan woman, who was labeled and rejected by society simply because of her past and current status; an isolated, unseen, broken, and neglected yet, an unexpected opportunity arose and she seized the moment to change her trajectory, and ultimately, history. This woman is one of my heroes. Why? Well, because she represents many of us. 

It is said that this woman would go alone to the well at the worst time of the day, 12 noon. Although typically this practice was done in unity with the other women in the village, she was excluded from doing so due to the shame she represented as a five-times divorced woman and because her current partner was not her husband. 

One day at the well, she was greeted by Jesus, who was a Jew. Although Samaritans and Jews were known enemies, Jesus was no enemy to her. He acknowledged her as a woman, spoke to her respectfully and saw the real her. This encounter deeply validated her and made such an impact within her that something completely unlocked inside her. She ran back to the village with a different mindset—one full of confidence and purpose. She spoke with everyone she encountered and told them they needed to meet this man named Jesus. 

This Samaritan woman led a group of people back to the well where Jesus was waiting, becoming the bridge that connected these Samaritans to Jesus at this village. Underneath the shame, pain, and unworthiness felt by this woman,  there was an amazing leader–one full of passion, fearlessness and the capacity to approach her adversaries and speak with newfound authority. 

The Woman by the Well is a hero, whose name will never be known,  and whose story has proliferated across generations reminding others of her bravery; her redemption. She is a true reminder that no matter our status, our shameful past, or our pain, we all have powerful capabilities, gifts, and a hero within us, strong enough to move mountains, impact others, and leave a legacy. 

The Woman by the Well might not have a name, but she had a voice that transcended time, and has spoken into my soul.  

Jordan & Henry

Mentee Henry, mentor Jordan and I sat down to get to know each other a few weeks ago so I could learn more about each of them. I had heard inspiring things about their mentoring relationship, now in its fifth year, and I was curious, what made it so successful?

First of all, Jordan is the lucky one. Henry is funny, smart, focused, driven and genuinely curious about experiencing new things, even things that might be outside his comfort zone. He wants to learn and he has dreams he’s well on his way toward achieving with his hyperfocus and self-propelled ambitions. He shared that his favorite car was a Maybach – did anyone else know that was a car when they were in fifth grade?? I learned of Henry’s discernment and logic when we talked about his favorite sports teams, which he selects because of the players, not necessarily because they play in his home state of Michigan. Hence why he’s chosen the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Red Sox as a few of his favorite teams. 

He also knows what he likes and what he doesn’t. He’s not timid about stating the things he enjoys, and why or who he wants to be when he grows up–an athlete in either basketball (“depending on how tall he gets”) or baseball, or perhaps boxing. He started pursuing boxing a while ago and goes a few times a week, on his own initiative, to learn techniques and also get stronger. 

Affinity mentor Jordan is a fantastic example of what an effective, caring and engaged mentor looks like: he expresses care and successfully treads the fine-line of challenging growth; he provides support and shares his power–he asks Henry how he’d like to respond to certain situations that directly pertain to Henry. 

From our short meeting, Jordan showcased how seriously he takes Henry’s goals and dreams in how he was able to recite every detail of their past interactions. He listens intently and tailors his approach with Henry based on what Henry says he needs. There was also an energy behind Jordan’s support. He gave Henry the opportunity to lead and express what he feels like doing during their time together, while also keeping Henry’s academic success within view. He diligently worked alongside Henry on an English (not Henry’s favorite) assignment to not only ensure Henry got the best grade, but that he understood how he got the grade. 

We could all use a Henry in our lives, but most importantly, youth like Henry deserve a mentor like Jordan in their lives. Students need five to seven caring adults outside their families to affirm and invest in them, leading to positive and life-altering results that set the course of their lives. 

Please, join us! There are so many ways to invest in these young lives. Reach out at any time and we will find a place that best fits your skills and potential. 

August is Black Business Month

Hi there–Sharalle here–the newbie at Affinity Mentoring. I am thrilled to come alongside the team as Executive Director; with a goal to engage the community in a way that impacts lives, plants legacy, and develops leaders. Affinity’s mission is that it’s alive and moving. The piece that jumps out to me this month is the “equitable growth.”

Living in West Michigan doesn’t always present opportunities for equity. Individuals face nepotism, minority-populated communities are under-resourced and underexposed, and families often face being overlooked. Imagine being an independent, Black-owned business in a sea of familiar and familial supported brands. It is said that there are 600 millionaires in Kent County–many having family names or family businesses. Wealth is distributed amongst the majority; while minorities continue to be the wealthy’s biggest consumers. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with being wealthy—stay with me while I make a point. Black and minority-owned businesses make up less than 1% of Grand Rapids economic make up (with 184 minority-owned businesses in Grand Rapids). These businesses compete against brands that are family names, favored brands, and companies that are accessible through store-fronts, word-of-mouth, or costly advertisements. There is limited wealth, knowledge, acknowledgement, and even patrons as it relates to Black/minority owned businesses.

August being Black Business Month means an opportunity for Black-owned businesses to end/start their fiscal year in the black. With not just minorities purchasing from Black businesses, but people with influence, affluence, and status patronizing these companies. 

I started out Black Business Month by visiting the market at A Glimpse of Africa. A Glimpse of Africa highlights the many, beautiful cultures of the African continent. This includes, but is not limited to traditional garments, dances, foods, practices, and businesses. A Glimpse of Africa supported and promoted many black businesses offering a range of products from clothes, sustenance, and accessories. It was an honor to be able to support Grand Rapids’ 1% that otherwise might not have been patronized or noticed.  A full recap of my experience at A Glimpse of Africa can be found here. 

Kicking Black Business Month at A Glimpse of Africa is just the start for me. A full list of my favorite local Black-owned businesses can be found here. A somewhat comprehensive list of Black and minority owned businesses can be found at grabblocal.com. I challenge you to check out a few of the businesses  and support (at least) four of them. You will find high quality products, an attention to detail, and personal customer support provided with a home-style flare. If you’re new to supporting Black-owned and/or minority-owned businesses feel free to contact me for resources or connections. I can be reached via email at sankrah@affinitymentoring.org

Happy shopping and supporting!

Pride Month

June 2, 2022 | By Rachel Humphreys

June is Pride Month which commemorates years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

At Affinity we want to ensure that students can be their true authentic selves without fear. In a recent survey, 13% of Affinity’s student respondents identified as LGBTQIA+. We want all students to feel valued, valuable, and safe. It is a top priority for our team to ensure mentoring is affirming of a student and family’s identity.

Our work is data driven, each programmatic decision is based on research and centers students’ wellness, both mentally and physically. Many students report that they do not feel like they “fit” in their school, as they might not feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and empowerment in the educational system. As noted in an earlier blog “DEI is it a Mission Drift” we highlight the importance of affirming student identities as an essential component of youth development and academic success.

Though some pieces of mentoring include things like supporting students in their reading and with homework, the critical difference between mentoring and tutoring is a relationship that focuses on building belonging, safety, and acceptance. Research consistently shows us that when students feel that they are fully accepted for who they are, that they have safe adults around them that care for them, accept them wholly, and they can go to for support and help, they succeed in many other areas of life, including academics.

These are not political ideas or opinions for us, we are simply using data to help drive our programming to have the best possible outcomes for students and families, exactly as we always have. For example:

  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24.
  • LGB youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth.
  • LGB youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to heterosexual youth.
  • Of all the suicide attempts made by youth, LGB youth suicide attempts were almost five times as likely to require medical treatment than those of heterosexual youth.
  • Suicide attempts by LGB youth and questioning youth are 4 to 6 times more likely to result in injury, poisoning, or overdose that requires treatment from a doctor or nurse, compared to their straight peers.
  • In a national study, 40% of transgender adults reported having made a suicide attempt. 92% of these individuals reported having attempted suicide before the age of 25.
  • LGB youth who come from highly rejecting families are 8.4 times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGB peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection.
  • 1 out of 6 students nationwide (grades 9–12) seriously considered suicide in the past year.
  • Each episode of LGBT victimization, such as physical or verbal harassment or abuse, increases the likelihood of self-harming behavior by 2.5 times on average.”
  • More at: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/

We can impact these realities through ensuring mentoring is a space of belonging, safety, and acceptance; putting student voice and input at the forefront of our work and decisions; and focusing our efforts on supporting student growth in Social Emotional Learning, Leadership Skills, and Self-Esteem.

We invite you to learn, celebrate, and partner with us as we continue to grow. In addition, you can support LGBTQIA+ folx in our community by donating and patronizing local LGBTQIA nonprofits and businesses.

Support these nonprofit organizations that focus on supporting, celebrating, and advocating for the LGBTQIA community!

  1. AYA Youth Collective: Serving at-risk and homeless youth ages 14-24 in Kent County. We create communities, rooted in belonging, for youth to own their future.
  2. GR Pride Center: The Grand Rapids Pride Center offers multiple social & support groups, creating safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ community members.
  3. GR Trans Foundation: a local nonprofit dedicated to helping the Grand Rapids Trans community transcend barriers and build equity. 
  4. GR Pride Festival (June 18): Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings LGBTQ community members, LGBTQ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and celebrating who you are Proud To Be!
  5. Pride NIght Pop Up Concert (June 20)

Also stop in and support these local LGBTQIA owned businesses!