Nettie Marquez

An award winning bilingual producer and director with USA and Latin American credits. Her advertising agency experience includes Saatchi & Saatchi/Conill Advertising, Foote, Cone, & Belding International, J.Walter Thompson/Hispania, Young & Rubicam/Bravo Group, The Vidal Partnership, The Chisholm Mingo Group, Spike/DDB Needham, and GlobalHue NY.

>> What kinds of ad campaigns has Nettie been involved in and what does this entail?

She produced episodes of the television program, “America’s Most Wanted”, and two fifteen minute videos about pre-school asthma for the Children’s Television Workshop.

>> I’ll be talking to Nettie about what exactly a producer does, and what she’s responsible for.

In addition, Nettie has produced/directed a video for Time-Life Mexico, as well as independent projects, such as NYWAR’s “Youth Empowerment Program”, a video to help and creatively empower victimized children in homeless hotels, “We Always Danced”, a 16mm short film about living with AIDS and the courage to celebrate life.

>> From Nettie’s perspective, what’s the difference between ‘independent’ works and more commercial projects?

Most recently, Nettie  co-produced a year long documentary project titled “Equal Voice for America’s Families”, which was a part of the Marguerite Casey Foundation’s campaign to develop and advance a national agenda to help families to strengthen their voice and mobilize their communities.

>> What has Nettie learned from the different kinds of video production?

Accounts have included AT&T, Heineken USA, Toyota Motor Sales, Cingular, Proctor & Gamble, Lincoln-Mercury, Colgate-Palmolive S.A., HBO, Ford Motor Co., Pfeizer, Chevrolet, Soft Sheen, Sears, General Motors, Anheuser-Busch, Kmart, Texaco, Daimler Chrysler, Verizon Wireless, NFL, and Kraft General Foods.

>> What has it meant to Nettie to do her work in both languages?

Her awards include a CLIO Award, four Telly Awards, two Latino Marketing Awards, two Se Habla Espanol Awards, two Aurora Awards, a New York Festival Award, a Houston Film Festival Award, a Silver Microphone Award, an Addy Citation, and a Gold Medal from the Hispanic Creative Awards.

Nettie grew up in the New York City area and spent some time in Puerto Rico.  She moved to Northern California for school and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies.

She loves traveling and has been all around the globe.  She currently lives in Brooklyn, New York with her two cats, Mookie and Lelys.  She has 9 nieces and nephews and two grand nephews.

Latino Leadership Development Program

Location: Nederland, Colorado
Link out: Click here
Description: Announcing the 2009 Latino Leadership Development Program! (LLDP)
Start Date: 2009-04-19
End Date: 2009-04-23

The LLDP was designed to assist Latino managers advance in their organization and maximize their leadership potential.   Modeled on the Center for Creative Leadership - the most highly utilized corporate training center in America - the LLDP brings together experienced and talented Hispanic professionals who have all taught at the Center. Our goal is to provide mid-level to senior-level Latino managers with the highest quality Leadership Assessment and Development.  The program is individualized; participants leave with a development plan and have the option of continued coaching sessions after the program.

Juana Bordas, President of Mestiza Leadership International, will be the lead facilitator for the LLDP.  Juana was the first President/CEO of the National Hispanic Leadership Institute, served as an advisor to the Kellogg Leadership Fellows, and is currently Vice President of the Greenleaf Center on Servant Leadership.  Her book, Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age won the 2008 International Latino Award for best business/leadership book.

Juana will be joined by Dr. Maria Valdes who specializes in executive development and coaching. An adjunct faculty member at the Center for Creative Leadership, Maria has provided feedback for over 2,500 executives.  Maria was previously director of training for the Western Management Institute and conducts seminars on executive success.

Program Design: The LLDP is designed as an experimental learning community to demonstrate the benefits of collaboration and teamwork.  A number of assessment instruments assist participants understand their leadership style.  A professional coach reviews assessment instruments and meets with each participant to review assessments and to initiate development planning.  Participants are paired with Learning partners committed to peer coaching for six months.

Program Content:
-Collaborative Leadership Skills
-Unique Assets of Latino Leadership
-A variety of assessment tools provide feedback and information on individual style
-A 360 degree assessment offers feedback from peers, direct reports and supervisors
-A 3 hour one-on-one coaching session integrates assessment information and assists with developmental planning
-Building Effective Teams
-Decision Making Skills
-Executive Success Factors
-Understanding Corporate Culture
-Building a Latino Leadership Network
-Developing Mentoring Relationships

Latino Leadership Development Program Schedule:

Day One: Program Opening

- Building the Learning Organization
- Group and Individual Assessment Activities
- Latino Cultural Values: Assets and Strengths

Day Two - The Call to Leadership

-  Situational Leadership
-  Collaborative, and Team Leadership
-  Personal Leadership Style
-  Feedback for Development
-  Unique Aspects of Latino Leadership

Day Three - Learning, Leadership, and Team Effectiveness

-  Enhancing the Learning Process
-  360 degree Feedback Review
- Activity Based Learning
-  Team Assessment Instrument
-  Outdoor Team Building
- Salsa as Leadership Experience

Day Four - Personal and Professional Development

-  Developmental Planning and Goal Setting: Individual Coaching Sessions
-  Peer Feedback/ Promoting a Learning Network
-  Focusing on Purpose: A Personal Mission Statement
Evening: Celebration Dinner

Day Five - Latino Corporate Success

-  Factors of Executive Success
-  Understanding Corporate Culture
-  Marketing the ‘Hispanic Advantage’
-  Future Steps and Application
-  Program Evaluation and Closing

Check out our Website for more information and to register: www.MestizaLeadership.com

Registration Details

The Registration Deadline is Fast Approaching.

Reserve your spot now in our 10th annual LLDP!

Fee Schedule:

Corporate Rate $2,500
Educational Institution/Government $2,000
Community Nonprofit/Individual $1,500

Lodging: The LLDP will be held at the Best Western in Nederland, Colorado.

All lodging and meals are arranged by Mestiza Leadership International.

2678 Clermont Street
Denver CO 80207
Phone: 303-320-5644 · Fax: 303-316-5073
Email: mestizalead@aol.com

2009 San Diego Science Festival

Location: San Diego
Link out: Click here
Description: Learn more about all the exciting things going on around the Festival!
Start Date: 2009-02-28
End Date: 2009-04-04

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Q & A with San Diego Science Festival Leaders

The inaugural San Diego Science Festival (SDSF) is planned as one of the largest multicultural, multigenerational, multidisciplinary celebrations of science ever seen on the West Coast. The festival will descend on San Diego with more than 500 free activities across the county in the month of March, and culminates in Expo Day in Balboa Park on April 4th. For more information, visit www.sdsciencefestival.org

Larry Bock is a successful serial entrepreneur who has founded, co-founded or financed the early stage growth of 40 companies in the life and physical sciences from inception to achieving an aggregate market capitalization of in excess of $30 Billion.

Jeremy Babendure is the founding director of the BioBridge program. In that role, Jeremy oversees programs pertaining to teacher training, student leadership, media development and the science festival. He has built community and nationwide collaborations with the overall vision of formulating and sustaining collaborations between the scientific and educational communities.

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How did you come up with the idea for the Festival?

Larry: I lived abroad with my family for a year, and it was in that context that I bumped into these international Science Festivals. These festivals take place all over Europe and Asia and draw hundreds of thousands of people. They have been going on for in excess of 15 years. In my last few entrepreneurial high technology startups, it has become increasingly difficult to hire Americans to advanced science positions because they’re just not pursuing these careers. I thought the Festival was a good way of reinvigorating the interests of American students in the sciences. There have been three successful science festivals in the United States so far; the Cambridge Science Festival in Massachusetts, the World Science Festival in New York and the St. Louis Science Festival in Missouri. We hope our festival will be become the largest festival on the West Coast.

Jeremy: Larry Bock came to us with the idea, and we linked up with him through a common connection in Washington DC.  The idea really drew in the BioBridge team; our intensions of getting involved were to not just have a festival, but to have a true tie in with year round science education.

Why does San Diego need a Science Festival?

Larry: San Diego is one of a handful of science cities in the United States whose future is highly dependent on building a workforce well educated in the sciences. The festival represented an opportunity to unite the entire San Diego science community, once a year, to showcase the best of science in San Diego to the World.

Jeremy: The Festival can draw in San Diego’s diverse audience, increase collaboration around science and education in our town, and increase the amount of local San Diegans getting jobs in local high tech companies.  Our goal is to inspire our next generation of scientists and science advocates.

How would you describe a successful Festival? What would success mean for you?

Jeremy: The Festival will show its success as students become inspired about science, parents and children experience informal science education as a family, and future collaborations amongst science and educators are formed. Success will also be measured by the amount of people attending Festival events.

Larry: A successful Science Festival would be one that became a magnetic force for uniting the entire community of San Diego.  We very much want this to be a grassroots collaborative effort uniting every organization interested in science in San Diego.

Who is involved with the Festival?

Larry: The San Diego Science Festival represents a who’s who of science organizations in San Diego including all of the major universities and community colleges, all of the key informal science education organizations such as the museums and the aquariums, lots of community organizations that have science outreach as part of their initiatives such as the Boy Scouts, Girls Inc., League of Women Voters, and many of the leading high-technology and life sciences companies as well as leading research institutions from across the border.

Jeremy: The collaborators are obviously too many to name, but the impressive part is the diversity: science companies, academic institutions, academic scientists, deans, administrators, entrepreneurs, foundations, philanthropists, community groups, secondary schools, teachers, principals, superintendents, graduate, undergraduate and secondary students.

What should we expect during the Festival’s Science Month?

Larry: There will be something for everyone during Science Month. There will be lectures, comedy acts, theatrical performances, teacher training sessions, film screenings, ecology field trips, town hall discussions, food tastings and much, much more. In all of these programs, we tried to make them fun and interactive and sneak the science in the back door. For example, you can attend a chocolate tasting and learn about the anti-aging properties of dark chocolate, or listen to a lecture and discussion about the Chemistry of Love, or attend a career fair and learn about the jobs of the future. Science Month will culminate in Expo weekend on Saturday, April 4th with a giant Expo in Balboa Park where over 250 different science organizations will be presenting hands-on, interactive, fun and entertaining science activities and demonstrations.

Why should I bring my family to Expo Day?

Jeremy: It’s a unique opportunity to have fun with the family surrounded by science!

Larry: There will be activities at the Expo for everyone, from toddlers to senior citizens, from the science professional to just the curious. All of the events at the Expo will be hands-on and interactive.  They will all address how science will impact all aspects of YOUR life; from your health to your transportation; from your art to your sports, from your planet to your discoveries and from your heroes to your future.

What happens when the Festival is over?

Larry: We intend the Festival to be an annual event.   This year we started from scratch and now have over 350 different organizations participating. Next year, we can start from this point and build an even larger festival.  Our goal is to get to the point where someday everyone in the United States will know that March is the month for Science in San Diego.

Jeremy: The festival will become more of an apex event for groups to prepare for and follow up from. We hope the Nifty Fifty program, which brings local scientists into schools to give presentations, will spark future collaborations between linked scientists and schools. We’ve already had 15 schools commit to participating in the expo event, over 20 in Operation Balboa and many more in competitions. These will grow in future years.

What is your favorite kind of science, personally?

Jeremy: The development of molecular sensors through fluorescence.

Larry: My favorite kind of science is biomimicry. Biomimicry utilizes nature to inspire innovation. It recognizes that the earth is the world’s largest R&D lab that has already spent 3.8 billion years on product development. Nature has solved some of man’s most complicated problems and has done it while also addressing issues such as low cost manufacturing, environmental impact and sustainability.  We will have some great exhibits and activities at the Expo from such organizations as the San Diego Zoo, High Tech High and some of the leading life sciences and high technology companies focused on biomimicry.

What would you tell kids who are thinking about getting involved in science?

Larry: I would tell them that science represents an incredible opportunity to make change in the world. With science, we can address some of our most intractable problems such as creating abundant and renewable energy sources, reducing Global Warming, averting world wide starvation and increasing not only the length of life but also the quality of life for every man, woman and child on earth.

Jeremy: If you love to think, explore and ask questions, this is the field for you.

Who is your science role model?

Jeremy: My graduate advisor Roger Tsien is my role model because of his creativity, background, motivation and strong support of my endeavors.

Larry: My science role models are the San Diego Science Festival’s Nifty Fifty. They are not only the leading scientists in San Diego, but they are also some of the most inspiring scientists in the world.  They are true role models because they have stepped forward to take the time to inspire young people about opportunities in the sciences and to share their personal passions, struggles and rewards.

Latina Leadership Lessons: So many things going on!

Things are buzzing around Powerful Latinas and I want to share with you all the upcoming exciting things we’ll be presenting, as well as opportunities for you to get involved!

For example, there are now six podcasts for free download on the site.  Three of them are from a discussion I had with Elliott Lewis, author of Fade:  My Journeys in Multiracial America, where he talks with us (during Black History Month!) about being biracial in this country.

The other three podcasts are from a discussion I had with Dr. Ana Nogales about relationship issues among Latino couples, what are common questions she’s seen in her practice, and what advice she has for Latina women.

Also, in addition to Marcela’s Book Picks, where Marcela Landres shares with us some of her suggestions for books that surround the theme of the month, we’re also going to be hearing from Sister Outsider who will be discussing films and other shows that also deal with the theme of the month.  Look for their new suggestions in March.

Eva Plaza is starting her series as a guest blogger and will be musing about Latino politics, the early days of the Obama administration, and what we can learn from it all.

I’ll be interviewed on two radio shows next week.  On Monday, Dr. Beth Erickson will be interviewing me for her show on www.webtalkradiol.net entitled Relationships 101.  Later in the week, on Friday, I’ll be on Up Close & Personal with Bonnie D. Graham.  Check out the website calendar for more details.

Dr. Ana Nogales is asking that those of us who came from homes where one or both of our parents were unfaithful take a survey that she will be using for her new book.  Click here to find the link on the site and help out this Powerful Latina who’s offered us info from her practice this month.

The month of March we’ll be launching the theme of La Exploradora, and I’ll be talking with a variety of Latinas who work in the sciences and promote science education to youth.  Click here to see our list of upcoming guests.  This will be in conjunction with the first ever San Diego Science Festival, and if you’re anywhere in the vicinity, you need to know about all the incredible events taking place in March in San Diego.  The Festival culminates in Expo Day, at which Powerful Latinas will be hosting a booth!

And speaking of events, there will be lots of upcoming events at which I’ll be speaking and I hope to see YOU!

Make sure to sign up for our Powerful Latinas Facebook group, if you haven’t already done so to get to meet various guests and make some powerful connections.  And friend me on Facebook, too!  I’d love to get to know you better.

Don’t miss our announcements and calendar which will tell you about the upcoming National Hispana Leadership Institute Programs and the Make Mine a Million program that the Latin Business Association is working on for Latina business owners.  Click here to learn more.

If you have ideas, suggestions or want to contribute, please email me at Aurelia@powerfullatinas.com as I am always open to hearing from you.

Elisha Miranda

Elisha Miranda is a published novelist, filmmaker, entrepreneur and cultural activist. Self proclaimed Boricua Chola that was born and raised in the working-class “Mission” district of San Francisco, California and has been residing in New York City since 1998.

>> I’ll be talking with Eisha about her growing up years and what lessons she learned from that time in her life.

In 1992, Elisha graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a dual BA in Ethnic Studies and English, as well as her single subject teaching credential. After years of working as a teacher and an Executive Director of a non-profit organization on issues of multi-cultural education, youth empowerment, police brutality, immigrant rights, and HIV/AIDS, Elisha received the prestigious Community Fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Department of City Planning and a BRICK DO SOMETHING AWARD. She graduated with her Master’s in City Planning (MCP) from the Massachuseetts Instiute of Technology where she honed her skills in strategic planning, public administration and finance.

>> What did she gain from her work in these fields, and what can she share with us about her experiences?

In 2003, Elisha earned her MFA in directing and screenwriting from Columbia University. Her short films CORPORATE DAWGZ and BLIND DATE have screened and garnered awards nationally and internationally. Currently, she is in development with her feature script OUTSIDE THE WALL about a Puerto Rican graffiti artist struggling to be the next Frida Kahlo. OUTSIDE THE WALL garnered many awards, including the 2005 Tribeca-All-Access Award, The Astraea Foundation, National Association of Latino Independent Producers Lab 2004 & 2005, NALIP Writers Lab 2004 & 2006, VOY Picture Lab finalist, Sundance Screenwriting Lab Finalist, Creative Capital finalist and a finalist at the Outfest Screenwriting Competition. Elisha was feature in 2005 as one of HISPANIC MAGAZINE’S, “Emerging Latina Voices in Filmmaking.”

>> What does it mean to Elisha to be a Latina filmmaker, and how does she position her art?

Elisha’s essay, “Vieques, Puerto Rico: A Baptism By Fire” was featured in the anthology THE FIRE THIS TIME, edited by Viven Labeton and Dawn Martin, Anchor Press, 2004. Her novella a KISS FOR LARES appeared in the JUICY MANGOS anthology (featured in Latina Magazine), edited by Michelle Herrera Mulligan in July of 2007 by Atria Books. Under her pen name, E-Fierce she wrote her debut novel, THE SISTA HOOD: ON THE MIC (the first book in a four part young adult series) now on its second printing, about a multi-racial, all female hip-hop crew, published in July of 2006 by Atria Books an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Currently, Elisha is working on LOVELINES, a commercial fiction novel and her second book in the SISTA HOOD series.

>> As a writer, what myths can Elisha bust about being a published author?

She is a Co-Founder and current Board Member of Chica Luna Productions, a community-based organization that supports young women of color in popular media. Chica Luna has been a recipient of the prestigious Union Square Award and participant films have gone to screen at major festivals such as Sundance and HBO. She has also sat on the funding board of the Paul Robeson Fund at the Funding Exchange and the Latino Educational Media Center.

>> What does it mean to Elisha to make popular media for young women of color?

Elisha has also been a part of the producing team of award-winning short films such as A-Alike (Student Academy Award Gold Medal Winner / DGA East Coast Student Winner), Viernes Girl (HBO), Bad Behavior (Cinequest Best Short), Corporate Dawgz (Student Academy Award Grant Winner) and Blind Date (Angelus Award).

In 2006, she launched Sister/Outsider Entertainment along with her creative partner, Sofia Quintero where they’re currently in development with MIO.TV on an original webseries called SANGRIA STREET and a series of short and feature films. Elisha’s work has been featured in the Summer 2007 issue of Ms. Magazine, “Harlem to Hollywood” and the August 2007 issue of Colorlines Magazine, “Mujeres Making Movies.” Elisha was also the creative director for the off-Broadway production of PANDORA’s a multimedia theater show about the Queer Latin/o experience. Sister Outsider Entertainment also produces commercials, music videos, and original BOOK TRAILERS for authors that want greater visibility and profitable sales for their fiction and non-fiction novels.

>> Given the variety of Elisha’s experiences, what can she share with us about identity, representations, and meaning?

Elisha has also been an instructor at the City College of New York in Screenwriting and is a current Artist in Residence for he National Book Foundation’s Book Up NYC. She is a member of the Lavin Agency, a highly selective speakers bureau for artists, activists, academics and celebrities. Elisha is represented by Jennifer Cayea of Avenue ‘A’ Literary.

Email contact: Elisha@sisteroutsider.biz

Websites:
www.sisteroutsider.biz
www.myspace.com/soebooktrailers
www.pandorashow.com
www.thesistahood.com
www.myspace.com/thesistahood
www.chicaluna.com
(Facebook Personal) http://profile.to/elishamiranda/
(Sister Outsider Facebook) http://companies.to/sisteroutsiderentertainment/

Latina Leadership Lessons: It’s About the Connection

So I’m sitting here thinking that the real reason we all care about intimacy, love, sexuality and all that stuff is really about the QUALITY of connection…

This weekend was Valentine’s Day, and everyone has love and connection with a partner on the brain. So if you have a sweetie, I hope you were able to connect with him/her in a way that was beautiful for you. And if not, I hope that you were still able to have some great connections this weekend, even if ‘only’ with yourself (which I would argue are the most important connections of all!).

There are love stories everywhere: in the songs we listen to, in the books we read, in the movies we see, and so on. And yet, the messages are often ones that are not always the most helpful. We hear about unrequited love, a break up, being lonely, or about wild passion, but where is the real depth and texture that means so much to each of us?

How do we truly connect with another person and why is this so important to us?

Let me suggest that truly and deeply connecting with others is what we’re searching for. Not only in our romantic relationships, but elsewhere too.

We are searching for someone to see us, understand us, “get us” in a way that renders WHO WE ARE important and meaningful. And yet, we often settle for so much less than this. And we often don’t know HOW to create the deep connection we desire.

As Latinas, we often connect with other Latinas about shared issues — growing up in a certain way, for example, or having similar challenges in work or home life. As women, we often connect with other women about our roles in the family, including being a mother.

And in romantic relationships, we may connect on levels of physical attraction, shared interests, or simply ease and comfort.

In the popular media, the image of the Latina in the context of relationships is one of fire, spice, passion and intensity. Or, on the other hand, we may also see images of the self-effacing, giving nurturer who asks nothing for herself and only takes care of others.

But what are we REALLY? And what is it we need in our lives? Until we’re able to clarify for ourselves the truths about who we are and who we want to be, we cannot communicate those truths to our loved ones. But sometimes, finding those truths is a matter of “thinking out loud” with those key people in our lives, so they can reflect back to us what they understand about our own process. Until the full characteristics of our being is reflected back to us by those closest, it is hard to feel fully alive, appreciated and understood.

This level of connection, I suggest, is so rare and yet profound when we really get it. When was the last time someone really listened to you *without* interrupting, telling their own story, making assumptions or giving you advice?

Do YOU know how to be present with another being and just allow yourself to fully be there where they are without placing your own judgments on another?

In our families, we are often seen for who we USED TO BE as opposed to who we’re BECOMING. Where can we find the spaces for others to see all of the varied aspects of ourselves?

Why is this so important in the context of relationships?I think we often look for that deep connection in romantic relationships without knowing how to create that space in *any* or *all* aspects of our lives.

I believe that each of you are amazing, beautiful, marvelous human beings and you have a special purpose for being right where you are at just this moment. I can’t tell you precisely what that purpose is — what I can tell you is that it’s so exciting to find that for yourself, and THEN to allow others around you to reflect back to you who you truly are *because they see you.*

So, at the end of this looong blog post, let me say that I encourage you to look for this deep knowing and connection between not just you and a partner, but also between others in your life. And if your partner doesn’t truly see you (and you him or her!), then isn’t now a good time to practice that quality and depth of connection?

Let’s learn how to be fully *present* with others, and ask for that level of presence back for ourselves…

Here’s to true connection with those around us in our lives. And isn’t that what truly makes each of us a leader?

Latina Leadership Lessons: We All Learn Differently

Thank you to all of you who responded to my questions earlier in the week. We all learn differently, and receive different messages and interpret them differently in our lives.

Some of us are shy, some learn from our parents, our partners, and from the bad examples of others. These are just a few of the examples that people shared with me this past week.

The important thing to remember is that we are all DIFFERENT, and each of those experiences is important and valid.

Bianca Laureano, host of LatinoSexuality.com, and my interviewee this past week, shared with us that when she was working with young groups of women in her past she would ask herself, what messages did these women receive in their lives? What did they do with those messages, and how were those messages different from the ones she received?

Learning about sexuality, relationships and love need not be about wild flirtation and exploration — it can be sweet and soft and quiet and wonderful in its own way.

So let us honor ALL the ways in which we Latinas come to own who we are and what we want.

Feliz Dia del Amor y Amistad a todos ustedes — thank YOU for being part of my circle, for sharing with me your experiences, and allowing me to share some of mine with you.

And don’t forget to check our calendar for upcoming events! There are some exciting events happening in the next couple of weeks, including:

Latin Business Association 2009 Membership Conference & Expo, March 6, Los Angeles.

Latina Leadership Network of the California Community Colleges, March 6-7 in Los Angeles

HOPE’s (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality) Latina History Day, March 13, Los Angeles

Bianca Laureano

Bianca I Laureano is a sex-positive sexuality consultant, educator, and activist. Her interests include representations of the sexuality of people of Color in media and popular culture, Latina feminisms, and positive youth development. She is an instructor with CUNY and a freelance writer.

Bianca is the host of LatinoSexuality.com, a website devoted to providing sex positive and accurate sexual health information for Latinos. It challenges negative and harmful stereotypes about Latino community, culture, and sexuality. The website provides information and research and organizations on Latino sexuality and health.

>> How did Bianca come to start the website and what stereotypes does she challenge?

Bianca is a first generation Puerto Rican who was born and raised in the Washington, DC metro area. The oldest daughter of an artist and educator, Bianca was raised in an activist environment that valued art in all its various and dynamic forms.

Bianca attended the University of Maryland, College Park (UM) and graduated in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Individual Studies: Women’s Health and Latino Communities. While at UM Bianca was active in peer education and mentoring programs through the University Health Center and became the Assistant Coordinator for Sexual Health Programs.

The summer of 2000 Bianca spent in Xhualtez, Espita in the Yucatan working with one of the first government funded health centers that provides western trained physicians and indigenous Mayan healers as a part of holistic health care. Upon her return she attended New York University and received her Master of Arts degree in Human Sexuality Education in 2002.

>> What are the similarities and differences Bianca has seen in health education in the different sectors in which she’s worked?

After spending one year with the Child Welfare League of America as the Program Manager of Adolescent Sexuality, Pregnancy Prevention and Parenting, Bianca began working on her second Master of Arts degree at the University of Maryland, College Park in the Department of Women’s Studies.

Bianca’s research areas include Latina feminisms, Puerto Rican studies, sexuality, youth and media culture, training in feminist theory and intersectionality were developed at the Consortium on Race, Gender & Ethnicity where she was a CrISP Fellow. In 2006 Bianca received her second Master of Arts degree in Women’s Studies where her focus included race and racialization, bodies, gender, and sexualities.

>> I’ll be asking Bianca about her studies and her they inform her work, and vice versa.

While at the UM, Bianca continued to be involved in direct action and activism with a grassroots not-for-profit organization called Visions in Feminism (ViF). ViF is a collective of activists who work to create a low-cost, accessible national conference devoted to creating a space to discuss complex topics facing modern feminism.

During her last year in the Washington, DC metro area, Bianca became involved with a group of young professional women who were all devoted to eliminating cervical cancer through HPV education. Bianca became the Director of Sexual Health for Tamika and Friends, Inc., (T&F) in 2005 and worked to create peer education handbooks and training’s for people interested in having HPV (House Parties of fiVe) parties. T&F is one of the first organizations to focus on educating men and youth regarding HPV and cervical cancer and that provides technical assistance and survivor support.

Currently residing in New York City, Bianca lives in the Bronx and provides consultation, capacity building and training, and facilitation to organizations dedicated to helping youth reach their full potential. She enjoys live music and concerts, the independent movie scene, museums, a good flea market, traveling, reading, dancing to dope beats, the beach, and is a fierce karaoke performer.

>> What does she enjoy about NYC vs. DC, and vice versa? Can we get her to sing a line or two?

Bianca has published one book and several articles. She has presented both locally and internationally on various topics concerning activism, Latino sexual health, feminisms, youth and hip-hop culture, Latinos and race, curriculum development, and teaching.

Working in the education field for ten years with various communities, specifically communities of Color and adolescents, Bianca has found new and exciting forms of discussing sexuality, gender, popular culture, Latinidad and so much more in her workshops, presentations, lectures and everything in between!

>> I’ll ask Bianca to tell us some of her experiences as a workshop presenter…

To find out more about Bianca, check out her website at: www.biancalaureano.com

Latina Leadership Lessons: Women and Power - how do we learn about love and chemistry?

I was talking to a friend of mine this past week about the immense amount of power we as women have and hold, and how often, as young women, we are not taught what to do with it or how to handle it.

That attention we garner as young women from people who are romantically interested (or just physically attracted) is a heady drug… And we have this power for our use and access in every setting — at work, at school, in business functions, on the street, etc.

I don’t know about you, but it’s fun to flirt! And when I became a young woman, all of a sudden, I was handed this huge responsibility, and not taught all of the ins and outs. I was like, whoa!

And then I had to figure out how to handle myself and that took years! And I’m still learning how to behave in relationships. As women — and thank goodness for girlfriends! — we share the ins and outs of dating, relationships, marriage, break ups, and everything in between.

My point is that many of us learn how to behave from our friends, and not from our families, or those to whom we might normally turn for guidance. And what are we teaching each other?

Are we teaching young women that fun and light flirting is OK, and yet they need to be aware of unintended messages they might be sending that they’re not aware of? What are we saying to each other about how to behave in relationships, and how do we support each other in them?

How and where do we learn to use this power in our lives?

No one really tells us how to figure out if someone is the right match for you, or how and when to flirt, or what to do with this immense power we as women have, or how to support our girlfriends — truly! — when they’re having a tough time in their relationships and not just “take her side” against the guy.

I would LOVE to hear from you this week — Valentine’s Day week! — about the most important lessons YOU’VE learned as a woman about love and relationships. And what do you teach the women around you — or even your daughters?

Please email me or comment on the blog post — I’m curious and want to hear from YOU and I’ll share with you more of my thoughts as the month goes on…

Latina Leadership Lessons: Well Being Has to Do With All Parts of Us

Well…Being… Mmmmm, let’s think about those two words and put a little pause between them as you read them to yourself: well… being…. Doesn’t that sound nice to you? It does to me. My being, my “ser,” who I am and what surrounds me is well, it’s good, it’s fine, I’m content, I’m happy. Those are some of the things I think, when I think of “well being.”

What does that phrase conjure up for you? Warm fuzzy slippers? A comfy robe? A nice warm cup of tea? Or something else? What does it take for YOU to feel all is right with the world and to have that certainty in your whole being?

Last night we started talking about well being in a new and different context. Yvonne Silva, owner and founder of Onjenoo.com, talked to us about sexual well being. She made the comment that, as women we may pay a lot for a good haircut or a nice pair of shoes, but how much attention do we place on our well being in other realms?

Now, Yvonne wasn’t just talking about health, strictly speaking. She really was asking the question with regard to our sexual relationships, both with our partners, and also with ourselves! Do we know our own bodies well? And do we know how to ask for what pleases us?

This month, I’d encourage you to ask yourself questions about your whole well being – in relationship not only to your sexual well-being, but also include your intimate relationships, those you love and share with.

Do you feel warm and fuzzy in each of these arenas, or is there something you could do to bring your whole BEING into wellness?

Here’s to being WELL and WHOLE.

P.S. If you want to check out the Onjenoo.com website, Remember Yvonne offered a 20% discount and free shipping on your first purchase to any customers who mention Powerful Latinas. You can also call 1-888-I-LOVE-O (945-6836).

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