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As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, I want to take a moment to honor the Hispanic mentors who have grounded me throughout my law school journey and into my practice as an attorney. Recently, I found an old notebook with notes from a 1L HLLSA event, "Latinx on the Bench." Looking back, I realize how deeply their messages have shaped me: - You don’t have to follow a traditional path, and you don’t have to go it alone. - Be open to new experiences, and don’t get hung up on uncertainty. Growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone. - Push yourself to find ways to give back to the community—whether through court interpretation or volunteering. - As a lawyer, you’re called to represent others and give voice to those who need it. Your language skills and your unique perspective are assets. - It may feel like you’re doing twice the work, but that’s because your representation matters—and your presence can help extend the pipeline for those who will come after you. Those early lessons have stayed with me and have become core values in my practice. To all the mentors and trailblazers who helped me find my way—thank you.

I had an amazing time at NAHREP at L'ATTITUDE, where we came together to celebrate the growing impact of Latinos in the U.S. economy and housing market. It was inspiring to connect with so many leaders and visionaries committed to creating opportunities for our community. The 2024 NAHREP Hispanic Wealth Report shared some powerful insights: - Hispanic households now hold $8 trillion in assets, marking significant financial growth. - Hispanic households that own their own homes have 26.4 times the net worth of Hispanic renters. -Hispanic-owned businesses are growing at 10X the rate of overall employer businesses employing 3 million people and generating $573 billion in revenue. https://lnkd.in/e9a9HsmJ Latinos are shaping the future of homeownership and driving generational wealth in the New Mainstream Economy. Grateful for the impactful conversations and collaborations! NAHREP - National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals® New American Funding

This Black History Month, we’re celebrating the changemakers transforming the futures of young people of Black African and Caribbean heritage. To kick things off, we’re spotlighting ACCESS UK, an organisation dedicated to addressing the critical issue of Black youth unemployment. Through its impactful initiatives, ACCESS UK is not only changing the narrative but amplifying the voices of countless young people across London, providing them with the opportunities and support needed to thrive. One of their flagship initiatives, the Operation Black Employment (OBE) programme, is tackling the urgent crisis of Black youth unemployment by helping young people access meaningful job opportunities. Although currently operating on a smaller scale, OBE has already made a significant impact, with plans to expand its reach and create even greater change across London. https://lnkd.in/eeHknUnB Another standout programme, ‘Road 2 CEO,’ equips young people who have been involved with the youth justice system with entrepreneurial skills to successfully re-enter society and launch their own businesses. We’re proud to spotlight ACCESS UK as the first organisation in our Black History Month series. Their incredible work is empowering young people to rewrite their own stories, break down barriers, and create lasting opportunities for success. ACCESS UK is leading the way toward a brighter future, one entrepreneur at a time. Nana Agyeman FRSA #BlackHistoryMonth #ReclaimingNarratives #YouthEmpowerment #ChangingTheNarrative

As we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. and Latin American Heritage Month in Canada, we're taking time to celebrate the contributions of our Latino colleagues and friends across North America. However, this recognition period is about more than just celebrating Hispanic and Latino history and achievements. It should also be used as an opportunity to evaluate the disparities that still exist for Latin Americans and understand how each of us can help promote equality, together. Learn more about how we are supporting Latino-owned businesses: https://lnkd.in/gGKisB-X

A New Skill has Changed My Life: A Young Black South African's Story   As a young black South African, I've seen firsthand the struggles of unemployment and poverty. But I've also experienced the transformative power of skills development. Learning a skill has changed my life.   Through a learnership, I acquired skills in office administration. Suddenly, I had a sense of purpose and direction. I could finally see a future beyond the limitations of my circumstances.   Skills brought me confidence, self-worth, and financial stability. I'm now employed and supporting my family, breaking the cycle of poverty. But it's more than just a paycheck – it's the pride and fulfilment that comes with creating something with my own hands.   Skills development is more than just a program; it's a lifeline. It's a chance to rewrite our stories, to redefine what's possible. I'm living proof that skills can change lives.   Let's invest in our youth, in our future. Let's give every young black South African the opportunity to discover their potential and forge a better life – a better tomorrow.   Visit our website at https://lnkd.in/dK2prPDv to find more heartwarming stories of how we change lives.

Hispanic Heritage Month invites us to focus on the lived experiences of Latinos and Latinas in the U.S. It is an opportunity to highlight our contributions. A new report by UCLA and staff from California Lutheran university reveals an impressive reality. They document that Latinas are drivers of economic growth and vitality in the U.S. In 2021, Latina economic output contributed $1.3 Trillion to the U.S. gross domestic product; roughly double from 2010. Only the GDPs of California, New York, and Texas are higher. https://lnkd.in/erqtAg4j

September 15th kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, which began in 1968 as a week-long celebration under President Lyndon Johnson, and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to a full month. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements of Hispanic/Latino Americans and the rich culture and contributions they have made to the United States and its history. I have recently discovered my own personal heritage connections to Spain, and Portugal, as well as Brazil and greater South America (hot tip: prepare yourself for anything when you do one of those fun little DNA tests - you might be surprised by what you get back... lol). Exploring the migration of my ancestors has been a truly interesting and eye-opening experience. So why is Hispanic Heritage Month important? In communities like mine, where there is a large Latino/Hispanic population (almost 25% in Worcester, MA), it not only highlights the significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, but it also allows for greater awareness of customs, languages, and histories that educate the broader public about the experiences of Hispanic and Latino populations. This can foster greater understanding, reduce stereotypes or misconceptions, and provide a space for solidarity and shared celebration of identity and heritage. There are some great events going on around Massachusetts in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month (click the link below for a few ideas). Also, consider patronizing Latino-owned small businesses (this month and beyond) and trying something new! Events in MA: https://lnkd.in/eQ89gdqQ.

“Researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage are not adequately represented in scientific research in the UK” - Shomari Lewis-Wilson, Senior Manager, Research Culture and Communities at Wellcome Trust. England and Wales population in 2021 80.7% White 4.4% Black 2.7% Pakistani heritage 1.1% Bangladeshi heritage UK academic research population in 2021/22 79.5% White 2.9% Black 1.1% Pakistani heritage 0.5% Bangladeshi heritage "Wellcome is launching £20 million in new funding. This is to support researchers of Black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani heritage in the UK to stay in research and advance their careers." https://lnkd.in/ePHWHwtt

It’s that time of year again—Homecoming season at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)! And for those who know, there’s no experience quite like The Greatest Homecoming on Earth (#GHOE) at North Carolina A&T State University. 💙💛 Homecoming is more than just a friends and family reunion. Yes, it’s about reconnecting with classmates, reliving memories, and building new ones. But it’s also a significant economic engine for local communities. From hotels, restaurants, and transportation to small business vendors, event planners, and entertainment, these celebrations' ripple effect can be felt far beyond the campus gates. Studies show that large-scale HBCU homecomings, like GHOE, pump millions of dollars annually into the regional economy. This infusion supports small businesses, provides seasonal jobs, and showcases Black entrepreneurship at its finest. NC A&T's annual economic impact on the state of North Carolina is more than $2.4 billion. https://lnkd.in/eJSrdVzG North Carolina A&T’s homecoming is more than an event—it’s a tradition that lifts communities and brings together generations. Every dollar spent is an investment back into the people and businesses that make East Greensboro, the City of Greensboro, and the Triad Region vibrant. So, while we dance, laugh, and celebrate, let’s also recognize our presence's power and our collective spending's impact. GHOE is not just a homecoming—it's a movement highlighting the power of HBCUs to uplift communities culturally and economically. #HBCU #GHOE #NCAT #BlackExcellence #EconomicImpact #CommunityEmpowerment #SupportLocal #BuyBlack

During last week's call as part of the personal and professional development training associated with being a member of Black Sisters in STEM , 3 things that stood out to me from the session were: 1. Just because I do something so well doesn't negate my bad habits. 2. Do not do things that are not okay and make them okay in your life. 3. Spirit of error is dangerous. Based on these teachings from our founder Nyamekye (Yah-MEH-chay) Wilson, I have decided to apply these things in my life by 1. Taking out time to re evaluate myself in all aspects of my life and identify my strengths and weaknesses to know which areas need improvement. 2. Take full accountability for the decisions that I make by being intentional and focused. 3. Stop putting off things till the last minute and do things early before deadlines are set It was a very insightful session and if you want to join a community of like minded women in STEM, Sister Nation is the place to be, join us today: https://lnkd.in/dXruEUbn