¡Hola! Hello!
I love language, and words have been a constant part of my life from an early age. As a toddler, I was eager to learn to read and write, begging my parents to let me go to school with my older sister. Eventually, I was sent to a local teacher who taught me the ABCs. Over time, I became an avid reader, asking for books as birthday gifts instead of anything else, and eventually chose journalism and communications as my professional path.
I was monolingual until I was 20 years old, when I first learned English. Although I wasn’t fully bilingual yet, I was confident enough to apply to an exchange student program that brought me to the United States for the first time. Becoming bilingual changed my life in many ways—especially as a professional. New opportunities opened for me while I was still in the Dominican Republic, and my language skills became the foundation for the opportunities that came later when I moved to the United States.
That’s why I'm dedicated to raising bilingual and multicultural children and building multilingual spaces.
ABOUT ME
MY PROFESIONAL BIO
I’m an Afro-Latina journalist, international speaker, published author, and trainer focusing on cultural diversity, inclusion, language justice, multiculturalism, and the AfroLatine diasporic experience. I have over 20 years of experience in the communications arena—from working as a journalist and as an editor and copywriter for national advertising campaigns to serving as a linguist for national organizations in both the private and nonprofit sectors.
In 2007, during the early days of Latino blogging, I launched my first blog to document my life in New York City. Three years later, in 2010, when my daughter was just six months old, I created La Familia Cool to write about my journey as a Latina mom raising a child in the United States. I’m proud to be part of the first generation of Latina mom bloggers and early influencers (although it wasn’t called that back then) who made an impact both online and offline in the United States.
As an influencer and mom blogger, I became a brand ambassador, speaker, and trainer, working with national brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Prudential, Southwest Airlines, Toyota, and Nestlé. I’ve also spoken at top digital conferences including LATISM, Hispanicize, Blogalicious, Converge South, Families in Global Transition, and The Motivated Mom, among others.
CURRENT WORK
For the last six years, I’ve focused on my roles as a language worker (as a translator, interpreter, proofreader, and copywriter) for social justice movements and organizations around the United States. Since 2020, I have worked with tilde Language Justice Cooperative in North Carolina as part of the translation, interpreting and capacity-building teams.
My work in capacity building centers on language justice training and workshops for organizations of all sizes seeking to expand language access and shift their organizational culture to support multilingual spaces.
Fun Facts About Me
I had my first job at 14, going door-to-door with paper surveys to ask people about everything from local Dominican politics to upcoming product launches.
I completed 5th grade in summer school, which allowed me to start college at 16.
My first international trip was at 18, when I visited my mother in Aruba.
Growing up, we had family talent shows at home with my father and grandmother, which we recorded on tape recorders.
I’m both fascinated by and afraid of heights, but I’ve still gone on a helicopter ride, parasailing, and to the top of the Eiffel Tower.
“Thank you all so much for this extremely informative and helpful training. I look forward to doing my part to make sure all people regardless of what languages they do or do not speak are able to participate fully and equitably in our work and programming!”
Testimonial from Workshop Participant
Third Wave Fund
“This webinar kept me engaged the entire time, it had a great balance between activities that made me think about the larger issues and context of language justice and access while giving me concrete tools for making changes in my own practice and organizational practices. I also thought the facilitators were masterful.”
Testimonial from Lakita
Dignity in Schools
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Contact
dania@embracingdiversity.us
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