Voices of a Highway

In this episode we hear Delia Mendez-Valdez, We Love Buford Highway's Program and Communications Coordinator. She shares her dreams and hopes for Buford Highway's future, especially through the lens of her upbringing along the corridor. We hope you enjoy this final episode of the series Identities and Belonging. Thank you for listening to our stories this 2023. See you in 2024! Delia grew up along Buford Highway and she became a passionate advocate for community engagement. Starting as a youth program leader, she evolved into a community outreach coordinator, organizing health fairs and providing crucial health education and services to the local Hispanic and Latino population.

In this episode we bring back Jonathan Peraza, who has been a guest in this podcast before! Jonathan discusses his dreams for Buford Highway and how this vision is centered around building spaces that we don't have yet. It is not only about questioning and advocating for institutions to be equitable and just, it's also about going beyond and outside of these structures to build something new, powerful, and unapologetically OURS. Jonathan reminds us that it is good to be critical about the world but we also need to remind ourselves what is beautiful about us, what we should be proud of, what power and beauty already exists in our communities and start there. Jonathan Peraza Campos (he/him/él) is a Central American educator and organizer with the Buford Highway People's Hub. He has taught Latinx studies and political education classes for years to youth and adults on Buford Highway and beyond in schools, in movement spaces, and with nonprofit organizations. He supports teachers who want to incorporate Latinx and Central American studies across U.S. classrooms as the program specialist for Teaching Central America at Teaching for Change and an educational consultant.

In this episode Victoria García shares her stories about belonging on Buford Highway through the artistic medium she practices, photography. As a designer, visual artist, and community lover living along Buford Highway, Victoria shares her experiences discovering and deconstructing what art can mean, do, and foster for a community like this one. You can find Victoria on Instagram @vlgarcia_ @highwayinmigrante and find her work by going to vlgarcia.com

In this episode you will hear the voices of Natalia Garzón Martínez, Victoria García, Jonathan Peraza-Campos, and Delia Mendez. They come together to discuss the contradictions that exist with the term "Latinidad" and the importance of nuancing terms to include historically silenced and marginalized voices. When does fitting in become assimilation? How can we break the box instead of trying to fit into it? Listen to this episode to hear organizers and creatives discuss what it means to step into your own autonomy, create collective consciousness, and build power that centers both preservation and change. Victoria Garcia Victoria García is a Chicana visual artist and designer from Doraville, Georgia. She got her BFA in Graphic Design at the Art Institute of Atlanta and has been working in the creative industry for the last decade. Her upbringing in Atlanta's "International Village", or Buford Highway, has led her to focus on the intersection of art and activism as it pertains to immigration policy, diasporas, and gentrification. Jonathan Peraza Jonathan Peraza Campos (he/him/él) is a Central American educator and organizer with the Buford Highway People's Hub. He has taught Latinx studies and political education classes for years to youth and adults on Buford Highway and beyond in schools, in movement spaces, and with nonprofit organizations. He supports teachers who want to incorporate Latinx and Central American studies across U.S. classrooms as the program specialist for Teaching Central America at Teaching for Change and an educational consultant. Delia Mendez-Valdez Delia Mendez-Valdez currently serves as We Love Buford Highway's Program and Communications Coordinator. As she grew up along Buford Highway, she became a passionate advocate for community engagement. Starting as a youth program leader, she evolved into a community outreach coordinator, organizing health fairs and providing crucial health education and services to the local Hispanic and Latino population.

En este episodio Lorena Castro comparte sus experiencias con la superación personal y la salud mental. Además, comparte su visión para las personas y comunidades que viven en el corredor Buford. Lorena es originaria de México y ha vivido en Atlanta desde el 2002. Desde el 2018 trabaja con las comunidades del corredor Buford y lo que más aprecia de este trabajo es aprender sobre otras culturas y poder crear espacios para que la gente se conecte. En Enero del 2023 se volvió cofundadora de la organizacion Amigos de la Comunidad en Georgia junto a Cristina de la Cruz y Aceli Zenil.

En este episodio hablamos con Aceli Zenil, quien comparte su historia de inmigrante con nosotros. Nos habla de la importancia de proteger y creer en los sueños y de cómo su vida en Estados Unidos ha cambiado con el pasar del tiempo. Aceli Zenil vive en Georgia desde hace 26 años y siempre le ha gustado apoyar e involucrarse en su comunidad y en las escuelas de sus hijos. A través de los años ha aprendido mucho y ha ayudado en diferentes organizaciones. En Enero del 2023 se volvió cofundadora de la organizacion Amigos de la Comunidad en Georgia junto a Lorena Castro y Cristina de la Cruz. Amigos de la Comunidad GA se dedica a ayudar a su comunidad brindando recursos, información y también tienen una bodega donde la comunidad que necesite puede buscar ropa y zapatos completamente gratis.

Join us for this English episode with Lina Vargas, creator and founder of @comadreandoatl, a social club for Latinx "Comadres" of all stripes in ATL. This conversation centers the importance of community building in private and public spaces, and centers words like "friendship," "company," and "gender." If you are interested in how to celebrate culture and beyond that, the people who create this culture, give this episode a listen and a share! Lina Vargas lives in Atlanta and enjoys connecting with the latin community through friendship, food, books, and art. Through the group Comadreando in ATL, Lina and her fellow comadres encourage latine amiguis to explore Atlanta in cozy and friendly group outings. You can find this group @comadreando.atl on Instagram.

En este episodio escucharemos las voces de Lina Vargas, Aceli Zenil, Lorena Castro y Natalia Garzón Martínez. Las cuatro mujeres comparten sus experiencias en Atlanta y hablan sobre cómo el contexto cultural de vivir en el sur de los Estados Unidos ha cambiado sus definiciones de “ser Latinas.” Abordan varios temas dentro de la noción de la cultura, incluyendo la importancia de no separar el objeto cultural del sujeto que lo crea. También hablan de la importancia de nutrir comunidades y redes de apoyo en Estados Unidos y comparten su trayectoria creando grupos para ayudar y unir a las personas.  Sigan leyendo para aprender más sobre las voces de este episodio y no olviden compartir este episodio con sus familiares y amigos.  Lina Vargas Lina Vargas es originaria de Colombia y trabaja en la Universidad de Emory. Durante su tiempo libre y motivada por sus intereses en la cultura y la latinidad, Lina fundó ComadreandoATL, una comunidad y grupo social para todas las personas latinas en Atlanta.  Aceli Zenil Aceli Zenil vive en Georgia desde hace 26 años y siempre le ha gustado apoyar e involucrarse en su comunidad y en las escuelas de sus hijos. A través de los años ha aprendido mucho y ha ayudado en diferentes organizaciones. En Enero del 2023 se volvió cofundadora de la organizacion Amigos de la Comunidad en Georgia junto a Lorena Castro y Cristina de la Cruz. Amigos de la Comunidad GA se dedica a ayudar a su comunidad brindando recursos, información y también tienen una bodega donde la comunidad que necesite puede buscar ropa y zapatos completamente gratis. Lorena Castro Lorena es originaria de México y ha vivido en Atlanta desde el 2002. Desde el 2018 trabaja con las comunidades del corredor Buford y lo que más aprecia de este trabajo es aprender sobre otras culturas y poder crear espacios para que la gente se conecte. En Enero del 2023 se volvió cofundadora de la organizacion Amigos de la Comunidad en Georgia junto a Cristina de la Cruz y Aceli Zenil. 

We are bringing back one of our former guests on this podcast, Luis Andres Andino! He joined us a few months ago to talk about mental health and machismo, and now he is here to tell us the story of his upbringing on Buford Highway and how his childhood has shaped the work he does today. In this individual story, Luis shares with us what being different vs. feeling left out can look like. He takes us back to his time in school, as he navigated cultural differences in the US, and how people who were comfortable and proud of being Latino helped him heal his feelings of discomfort. Luis works in the youth empowerment and education space with the Latin American Association, and a lot of his work now is informed by his experiences growing up. We have heard it before and you will hear it here again...representation matters!

En este episodio (¡completamente en español!) hablamos con Ludemar Ball-Mora, quien nos comparte cómo se sintió al llegar a Estados Unidos desde Puerto Rico. Durante nuestra charla, Ludemar también habla de los idiomas, incluyendo el idioma Taíno, una lengua indígena de la familia arawak que se habló en las Antillas por la época de la conquista española. Aquí resalta la importancia de honrar y celebrar nuestras raíces indígenas y cómo su experiencia en Atlanta la ha ayudado a aprender sobre otras culturas indígenas en Latinoamerica. También hablamos del acento boricua, de la comida de la isla y de las ranitas coquí. Ludemar Ball-Mora nació y creció en la hermosa isla de Puerto Rico. Un mes antes de cumplir 30 años, se mudó a Massachusetts donde empezó a trabajar en una organización sin ánimo de lucro para familias hispanas. Llegó a Gerogia en 2018 y comenzó a trabajar como Administradora de Casos en Ser Familia en 2021. Ludemar disfruta ayudando y abrazando a la comunidad, especialmente a los latinos.

In this episode we sit down with Angelica, who was one of our guests in last week's group discussion. She describes some of the places in her life that make her feel a sense of belonging. The conversation touches on finding family and building family when you are new to a city or space, and Angelica shares beautiful stories about her young adulthood and what Doraville looked like some years ago. She also gives us her best recommendation for Buford Highway and shares a story about a restaurant on the corridor. Angelica grew up in El Paso, Texas, a border town to Mexico and New Mexico where the mountains serve as a background. Working with the Hispanic community for the last 18 years has been an eye opening as well as challenging and rewarding. She comes from a very close-knit family and has two beautiful daughters who mean the world to her.

In this episode you will hear from Luis Andino, Angelica, Ludemar Ball-Mora and Natalia Garzón Martínez. They all spend some time discussing their definitions of Latinidad and how Atlanta has changed their sense of belonging over the years. Other topics discussed include language (loss and acquisition) for new generations of Latinos, educational gaps for communities, and much needed investments for communities in need. Read below to learn more about the people participating in this conversation and don't forget to share and rate this podcast! Luis Andino  Since joining the Latin American Association (LAA), the region's leading agency representing Latino issues in Georgia, Mr. Luis Andino has led youth-focused initiatives meant to foster hope and provide impactful outcomes, while building meaningful connections to empower and inspire the youth and families of Buford Hwy. Today, Mr. Andino humbly serves as the Managing Director of Youth Services for the LAA. His team hosts the Annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference, an event that sees hundreds of Latino students from schools across the state, that aims to bridge the gap between access to higher education opportunities and funding for students in attendance. Angelica Angelica grew up in El Paso, Texas, a border town to Mexico and New Mexico where the mountains serve as a background. Working with the Hispanic community for the last 18 years has been an eye opening as well as challenging and rewarding. I come from a very close-knit family and have two beautiful daughters who mean the world to me. Ludemar Ball-Mora Ludemar Ball-Mora was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. A month before turning 30 years old, she moved to Massachusetts where she started working at a non-profit for Hispanic families. She arrived in Georgia in 2018 and started to work as Case Manager at Ser Familia in 2021. Ludemar enjoys helping and embracing the community, especially the Latinos.

Latino identities exist beyond margaritas, taco Tuesdays, and mariachi bands. With over 21 countries and territories identifying as Latin American or Latino, and over 30 million individuals from these places living outside their country of origin and creating diasporas in many different parts of the world, Latino/Hispanic identities are important and here to stay.  In an effort to highlight these complexities, we created the “Identities and Belonging” series, a collection of group discussions and individual stories from advocates, leaders, community members, and creatives who identify as Latino/Hispanic and live in Georgia.  We hope this series allows you, our listeners, to expand your vision of what identity and belonging can mean for Latinos here in the United States. We hope you can listen to, learn from, and celebrate the incredible people that shared their experiences with us. Join us for weekly episodes every Friday starting September 22nd. Don't forget to follow us and to be notified when a new episode comes out.  ***this series would not be complete without a special message on terminology. We acknowledge that people choose to use different terms to refer to their identity. Some prefer Hispanic, others prefer Latino, Latinx, or Latin/e. We hold space for all of these terms and respect the people who use them. We will primarily use Latino but may use them interchangeably throughout our content.

In this episode, Van shares her family's immigrant story. She also talks about optimism, and how she connects with people of different backgrounds. The conversation also revolves around the model minority myth, invisibility and hypervisibility and its effects on AAPI organizing, especially post the 3.16 Atlanta Spa shooting. Finally, she touches on how we can build genuine empathy with those around us. Van is a UX researcher by trade, but considers herself to be an active and engaged member of the community at large. She strongly believes in and advocates for being kind to others. Van is committed to making a difference in her community, whether it's through volunteering, organizing events, or just being there for someone in need, and tries to make the time to show up and support those around her. Through her work as a UX researcher and her involvement in the community, Van has learned the importance of empathy, collaboration, and the willingness to listen to different perspectives. By working together, building connections, and bridging these differences, she truly believes we can create a better world for everyone.

In this episode, Alina Lee talks about growing up in a primarily white neighborhood and the importance that Buford Highway had in her formation of an Asian identity. She also shares more about her journey in finding "home" and how the Asian Law Student Association at Vanderbilt helped her start her journey in community involvement here in Atlanta. *TW: conversations about racial discrimination and sexual abuse are mentioned in this episode. Alina Lee is the Founding Partner of her law firm, Your Ad Attorney, Inc. which provides top-notch transactional legal services to some of America's most beloved companies as well as small businesses in the marketing, tech, retail, and consulting industries. Her law firm provides full flexibility to all employees, who each choose the number of hours a weeks they want to work, days of the week they work, and when they work—all from their home on a fully-remote basis. Alina is active in supporting her communities and has served as: Founding Board Chair of We Love Buford Highway for over 5 years, Founding Member of the Spring Board of Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta (4+ years), Fundraising Cp-Chair for the AAPI Crime Victims & Education Fund, Leadership Team Member of The A Pledge, Board Member of the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Board Member of the Korean American Bar Association of Georgia, and Advisory Council Member of WABE (Atlanta's NPR Station).

In this episode, Alnory Gutlay talks about access to health for AAPI communities and the effects of the model minority myth in the public health sector. She raises important questions about accessibility and cultural awareness in the world of health equity, drawing from her own experiences as an organizer and advocate.Alnory Gutlay is a first generation Filipino. She is a community organizer and nonprofit leader with over 10 years of experience serving and advocating for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in Metro-Atlanta. Her commitment to address social determinants of community health led to a wide array of working experience and expertise in substance abuse prevention, HIV prevention, and victim services. Her approach to community health is culturally specific, evidence-based, and equitable outcome centered.

In this episode of the limited series AAPI Organizing in the South, five community leaders and organizers talk about organizing during COVID and what support to organizers as community members can look like. The conversation touches on intersectionality and generational divides, identity formation through organizing, and misconceptions about AAPI communities. Finally, they discuss belonging and how it is influenced by mass media and representation of AAPI identities in public spaces.The voices featured in this episode belong to:-Jainey Kim (Community Engagement Specialist for Asian American Advocacy Fund)-Lily Pabian (Executive Director of We Love Buford Highway)-Alina Lee (Founding Partner of her law firm, Your Ad Attorney, Inc)-Alnory Gutlay (Community organizer and nonprofit leader)-Van Galasso (UX researcher, community advocate, artist)

In this episode, Ashley Mack talks about the AAPI organizing communities she is a part of and what it means to be heard at the local and national level. She reflects on what community and home can feel like and shares her experience on being an Asian woman in different spaces throughout her life, including corporate America.Ashley Mack has achieved several career breakthroughs in a short time. Ashley joined Southern Company as a Corporate Accountant in 2012. At the age of 29, she became a manager of people, leading a team of 8 accountants responsible for $1B+ in annual billing revenue among six regulated and deregulated natural gas utilities. In June 2021, she earned the opportunity to lead field operations, making her the first AAPI field operations leader in Atlanta Gas Light's rich, 165-year history.Ashley is no stranger to the DEI space and promoting the AAPI community. In 2018, Ashley co-founded and served as Chairwoman of Soar, the first Asian ERG at Southern Company Gas. With a mission to recruit, retain and advance AAPI employees across the company and to support the AAPI communities Gas partners with and serves, Ashley was able to gain enterprise recognition for the ERG's efforts.In 2021, Ashley was appointed Executive Director by the national board of directors. She is theorganization's second Executive Director and the youngest to serve in this role. She is responsible for leading and executing the strategic plan for the organization as well as creating the culture of the organization with 30 individual chapters, a staff of 12 direct reports, 40+ indirect reports, thousands of active members and 25,000 stakeholders.

In this episode, Bharat Bhatia shares the story of his family's immigrant background, the importance of cultural curiosity and how embracing different identities can build internal power. Bharat also discusses intersectionality and the impact it has had in his life. Bharat is a data analyst with the State of Georgia; he is passionate about fitness and is a 9-time marathon runner. He is a foodie who loves learning about different cultures and is active in the AAPI Organizing scene in Atlanta.

In this episode, Michelle Kang talks to Jainey about her involvement in building relationships and organizing after the 3.16.2021 Atlanta Spa shootings. She also shares more about her work in encouraging Asian American History to be present in education in K-12 schools. During their conversation, Jainey and Michelle delve deeper into what it means to organize, and the effect that words like equity and inclusion can have in the South. Michelle Kang is Secretary-General of Atlanta Korean American Committee Against Asian Hate, established on 3/17/2021 to respond to the 3/16 Atlanta Shootings and prevailing Asian Hate. It was composed of first-generation Korean Americans. She is also President/CEO of AAPI OUTREACH & ENGAGEMENT, to connect government entities, nonprofit organizations, and companies with the AAPI and immigrant communities. Additionally she is the CEO of Act2Change, a nonprofit organization working with nonprofit organizations in coalition (including AAAJ, ProGeorgia, and Georgia Immigrant Rights Alliance) to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Michelle is President of Korean American Public Action Committee/Atlanta, a national organization to strengthen Korean Americans' voting and political power and Executive Director of K-Culture Experience Past, Present, and Future, a nonprofit organization to promote K-culture by putting on periodic performances and events.

In this first episode of the limited series AAPI Organizing in the South, five community leaders and organizers talk about coordinating in times of crisis (such as the March 16 Atlanta spa shooting and the Monterey Park shooting), and how mental health awareness plays a big role in individual and collective healing to build a more unified AAPI community. The conversation includes thoughts on Asian hate post COVID, how to show up for each other, how to organize across generations, and the importance of empathy for organizers in the South. The voices featured in this episode belong to: -Jainey Kim (Community Engagement Specialist for Asian American Advocacy Fund) -Lily Pabian (Lily Pabian, Executive Director of We Love Buford Highway) -Bharat Bhatia (data analyst with the State of Georgia and 9-time marathon runner) -Michelle Kang (President/CEO of AAPI Outreach & Engagement) -Ashley Mack (Executive Director, NAAAP)

In this episode, Victoria Huynh talks to Jainey about her immigration family story, her background in organizing, and how motherhood influences her journey as an organizer today. Victoria shares her journey in discovering what home and belonging can mean, barriers her and her family experienced, and how all of this informs her work in policy and advocacy for immigrant and refugee communities. Victoria Huynh is a Community Organizer that actively advocates on the local and national level for equitable language access, meaningful civic engagement, protection of immigrant rights, and the enhancements of vital social safety net services and programs. She was also interviewed by us before on LOVE on Buford Highway! Click here to listen to this additional story (Apple Podcasts or Spotify). Mrs. Huynh's experiences in her limited English proficient (LEP) Vietnamese Refugee household fuels her passion for community building, strategic planning, and policy work within the immigrant spaces. Huynh actively advocates on the local and national level for equitable language access, meaningful civic engagement, protections of immigrant rights, and the enhancements of vital social safety net services and programs. Most recently, Huynh fundraised more than $1,000,000 in 2021-2022 to support vital grassroots AAPI initiatives in Georgia. From 2013-2018, Huynh served as an appointed member of the National Regional Health Equity Council. In 2015, 2017, and 2022, the Georgia Asian Times recognized Huynh as an honoree of the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia. In 2020, the Southeast U.S. Pan Asian Chamber of Commerce named her an outstanding AAPI in the Southeast and was named a sHERO by the Center for Asian Pacific American Women and OCA at a National AAPI Womxn's Conference. Huynh recently ended her three-year federal appointment with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel. Huynh currently serves as a federal appointee with the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (PACAANHPI).

In this episode, Aparna shares her family's immigrant story. Her family opened the first Indian restaurant in Atlanta back in the 70s, which became a hub for South Asian communities in the South. Aparna takes us with her on the journey of what it meant to grow up being South Asian in the 70s (going to school as a young girl in the South and understanding her identity while at UGA.) Through her memories about her father's community organizing and her work today, Aparna highlights the importance of uplifting different forms of community advocacy like creating gathering spaces, preparing food, and organizing celebrations. Finally she talks about intergenerational healing in her family through the advocacy work she does today. Aparna has served as Executive Director of Raksha since 1998. She started her career as a victim advocate in the City of Atlanta and helped train and coordinate the 1996 Olympic Crisis Response team. Much of Aparna's work is focused on crime victimization and gender-based violence in immigrant communities and providing training on the needs of underserved communities. She has been faculty for Georgia's statewide Victim Assistance Academy since its inception in 2005. Over the years, she has been a part of creating organizations like Tapestri, Inc and International Women's House to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee survivors in Georgia. In 2023, She was listed in the 500 Most Influential Leaders in the 2023 Atlanta 500 list by Atlanta Magazine and serves on the board for two national organizations- The Asian Institute on Gender-Based Violence and South Asian Survivors, Allies, and Organizations Rising.

In this episode, Sarah Park shares her thoughts on the model minority myth, motherhood and healing throughout generations, and what the future of organizing and community access can look like. Sarah Park is the President of the Korean American Coalition Metro Atlanta. In this role, she has been instrumental in enhancing the civic engagement of the Korean American community in Georgia through non-partisan initiatives. Her passion for building bridges between diverse communities and generations is reflected in her active advisory roles in United Way, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, the American Jewish Committee, and various nonprofits and organizations dedicated to community building. Outside of her work, she enjoys volunteering, traveling, and trying new cuisines and experiences with her husband and their two children. Instagram: @KAC Atlanta

In this first episode of the limited series AAPI Organizing in the South, five community leaders and organizers talk about coordination in times of crisis, trust, and grace in understanding what collaboration can look like during times of need. They also touch on some of the historical moments and crises that have shaped AAPI organizing in the South, including the March 16 Atlanta Spa Shootings, 9/11, and the 1996 Olympics bombing. The conversation includes thoughts on how they define "leadership" and a collective "we," what allyship and solidarity can look like within AAPI communities, and how funders can be proactive in empowering AAPI organizer and organizations. The voices featured in this episode belong to: -Jainey Kim (Community Engagement Specialist for Asian American Advocacy Fund) -Lily Pabian (Lily Pabian, Executive Director of We Love Buford Highway) -Victoria Huynh (Commissioner for the President's Advisory on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders) -Aparna Bhattacharyya (Executive Director of Raksha) -Sarah Park (President of the Korean American Coalition in Metro Atlanta)

May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, vibrancies, and achievements within the fabric of America. However, we know that the voices of AAPI communities in Atlanta run deep and its richness cannot be captured in just one month. To honor some of these stories, We Love Buford Highway and the Asian American Advocacy Fund are working together to release a three-part listening series called, “AAPI Organizing in the South.”  Every month from May through July, we will release a part of the series which includes group conversations and individual stories from the voices of local AAPI advocates and community members. These conversations will cover a broad spectrum of topics including but not limited to mental health, intersectionality, the Model Minority Myth, solidarity, and intergenerational healing. “AAPI Organizing in the South”  will be available here, on the Voices of a Highway podcast (Spotify, Apple Podcasts), every Friday beginning May 12th.  We are excited to share this special project with existing and new audiences. Mark your calendars and join us in listening to and amplifying the voices of the AAPI organizers that impact Atlanta and the South every day.

This episode is a conversation between Natalia and Alex Ip, a fifth-year international student at Georgia Tech. Alex Ip was born in Hong Kong and founded The Xylom, an award-winning, student-run newsroom that covers issues like environmental justice, immigrants, and people of color in academia. In this episode, they talk about Chinese language (and its diversity), about Alex's experience as an international student in Atlanta, and how science reporting can be empowering to multilingual, multicultural communities outside the field.  Please follow The Xylom @thexylom on socials and go to their website TheXylom.com for more information on how to get involved and support their work.

En este episodio hablamos con Elida Lopez, quien trabaja como Especialista en Salud de la Población en CareSource. Ella nos cuenta sobre su niñez en Zacatecas, cómo llegó a Estados Unidos, lo que significa para ella celebrar sus raíces siendo madre de niños nacidos en Estados Unidos. Finalmente nos habla de qué es CareSource, qué tipos de servicios provee y cómo acceder a ellos.

For this Women's History Month, we sit down with Elida Lopez, Population Health Specialist at CareSource. Born in Mexico but raised in the US since the age of 5, Elida talks about what growing up was like for her and her 8 siblings. She shares her experience as a daughter, a mother, and how she expresses and understands her Mexican and American identity. She also talks about her job at CareSource and why advocating for Latino communities is important in the health sector. Don't forget to share this episode, and be on the lookout for a special episode in Spanish with Elida, coming soon!

In this episode, Natalia Garzón talks to Manno Beats, a Grammy-nominated and multi-award-winning musician hailing from Cap-Haitien, Haiti. During their conversation, Manno Beats talks about his childhood in Haiti, the origins of his passion for music and the African diaspora, and the importance of his philosophy "Africa Overseas." The first half of the interview discusses his journey and musical philosophy and the second half is an in-depth overview of his upcoming album, Tchaka, coming out in July of 2023. If you are a music lover and want to learn more about Haitian culture, cuisine, music, and identity, listen to this podcast and share it with someone in your life! If you'd like to see more of Manno Beats, you can find him on all social media platforms as @mannobeats and if you'd like to hear his music, you can listen to him on all music platforms (including Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud). *note: the song referenced during the first half of the podcast is titled "Akouna."

In this month's episode, Daisy Astudillo speaks to Vivian Liu, a Chinese-American student focused on Environmental Science and Statistics, who is passionate about affordable housing, labor rights, and racial justice. Vivian, an Emory student, connected with us through their Community Building and Social Change Fellowship, a program designed to present both challenges and opportunities in building stronger communities through the lens of social justice and positive change. Vivian was part of the Buford Highway corridor team last summer, hitting the pavement to listen directly from local immigrant business owners. In this interview, they share favorite memories of the Lunar New Year, how being a second generation Chinese-American impacts interactions with culture, and gives advice to other children of first generation immigrants on how to handle generational divides, including familial trauma. We dedicate this episode to the victims who lost their lives and the families and communities grieving from the tragedy that took place at Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay during a time of year where so many Asian communities guard as space to connect to customs around happiness and celebration. We hope that Vivian's story shines light to how we can all make meaningful steps towards positive change.

We are so happy to interview one of our own team members at We Love Buford Highway, Daisy Astudillo, for our final 2022 episode. She has been Program Coordinator since may of 2022 and in this episode, Executive Director Lily Pabian sits down to chat with her about her upbringing and her experience as a first generation Mexican-American in her family. What does applying to college feel like? Who helped Daisy along the way? What did Buford Highway mean to her growing up and how has her identity changed or been influenced by her position at We Love Buford Highway? This and much more is discussed during the interview. Listen & share to people in your life who need to be inspired by a young Latina/x who is learning to navigate heritage, culture, and identity. Estamos felices de entrevistar a nuestra Coordinadora de Programas, Daisy Astudillo, para nuestra última entrevista del 2022. Daisy ha estado en el equipo desde mayo del 2022 y en este episodio Lily Pabian, Directora Ejecutiva, se sienta con ella para hablar de su infancia y de su experiencia siendo mexicana-americana y la primera en su familia en ir a la universidad. ¿Qué se sintió entrar a la universidad? ¿Quién la ayudó durante el camino? ¿Qué significaba Buford Highway en su infancia y cómo ha impactado su identidad al trabajar con las comunidades del corredor? Todas estás preguntas forman parte de la entrevista y los invitamos a que la escuchen y la compartan con alguien que le interesa la cultura y la identidad de los mexicanos-americanos en USA.

In this episode, Daisy Astudillo speaks with Patricia Hernandez, a LATINX/ indigenous diaspora artist who is a cultural organizer and self-taught artist. Patricia discusses the memories of her young adulthood on Buford Highway, how her multicultural friendships helped shape her narrative, and the stigmatization of being a Latina and single mother in the artist community. Patricia's story of interconnectedness and mutual understanding between immigrants will resonate with listeners because she believes honoring our culture, traditions, communities, and families unite us all to our core memories and self-identity. Patricia, alongside artist Nicole Kang Ahn, recently worked with us on a community newsletter stand for Buford Highway. If you want to see Patricia's colorful, vibrant artwork, check out these links: IG: @patl.sv Website: patlsv.com Like, share, and rate this podcast!

En esta segunda parte de la entrevista, Patricia y Xavier, dos estudiantes panameños aquí en Georgia, hablan de sus experiencias en Panamá. Este episodio es una reflexión sobre lo que han vivido en su país de origen, lo que han aprendido de sus familias y lo que disfrutan hacer fuera de sus estudios. ¿Por qué es importante reflexionar sobre nuestro pasado? Xavier y Patricia resaltan la importancia de no olvidar de dónde venimos para siempre saber hacia dónde vamos. Xavier, Patricia y Natalia crean un espacio en este episodio para compartir lo que recuerdan de su niñez, lo que aprendieron en el camino y lo que les gusta hacer en su tiempo libre. Al final de la entrevista, Xavier y Patricia le hablan directamente a los estudiantes que escuchen este episodio.

En este episodio, que celebra el mes del desarrollo profesional y por supuesto, el mes de acción de gracias, Natalia Garzón invita a Patricia Muñoz y a Xavier Bosso, dos estudiantes panameños que están aprendiendo inglés para continuar su licenciatura en la Universidad de Brenau en Gainesville, Georgia. Patricia y Xavier fueron voluntarios en nuestro evento de despensas a finales de octubre y hoy nos cuentan más sobre su experiencia estudiando aquí en Estados Unidos. ¿Qué se siente venir a una universidad en Estados Unidos? ¿Qué han aprendido estos dos estudiantes? Xavier, Patricia y Natalia crean un espacio en este episodio para compartir lo que se siente ser jóven, lleno de sueños y aspiraciones profesionales y sobretodo, lo que se siente llegar a un país diferente, con una cultura distinta y tener que aprender a crear una comunidad, una familia y un futuro prometedor.

This episode is a special preview of what We Love Buford Highway has been working on this 2022: Buford Highway's first community archive. This archive will have stories told directly from people in the community, people that come to our feeding events, people that make up the Buford Highway we all love. Contrary to this podcast, the people in the community archive are not interviewed, they are simply sharing a story they want to share, and we are simply creating space for them to do so. In honor of Hispanic/Latino/x Heritage Month, we are sharing a preview of Delfina's story, who emigrated to the US from Guatemala. Paired with excerpts from his interview, our Program Coordinator Daisy Astudillo highlights some important notions and concepts in his story that are worth reflecting on. We hope you enjoy this taste of the community archive, and we encourage you to share what you think about this format with us wherever you typically find us (Instagram DM, Facebook DM, anywhere else!).

Este episodio es otro avance especial del primer archivo de historias del corredor Buford, un proyecto que la organización We Love Buford Highway ha estado preparando este año. Este archivo tendrá historias contadas directamente de las personas de la comunidad, personas que van a nuestras despensas, que nos ven en eventos y que forman parte del corredor Buford. A diferencia de este podcast, las personas del archivo no son entrevistadas, simplemente están contando alguna historia que ellos decidan contar y nosotros solamente estamos creando un espacio para que puedan preservar estas historias. En honor al mes de la herencia Hispana/Latina, les dejamos un avance de la historia de Delfina, quien emigró a Estados Unidos de Guatemala hace 35 años. Paralelo a su historia, nuestra Directora de Participación Comunitaria, Natalia Garzón, resalta algunas nociones y conceptos importantes para que nuestras audiencias puedan reflexionar sobre la historia de Delfina. Esperamos que disfruten este avance de lo que será el archivo de historias comunitario y los invitamos a que compartan lo que piensan de este formato y que nos escriban si desean compartir su historia con nosotros (por Facebook o Instagram).

Este episodio es un avance especial del primer archivo de historias del corredor Buford, un proyecto que la organización We Love Buford Highway ha estado preparando este año. Este archivo tendrá historias contadas directamente de las personas de la comunidad, personas que van a nuestras despensas, que nos ven en eventos y que forman parte del corredor Buford. A diferencia de este podcast, las personas del archivo no son entrevistadas, simplemente están contando alguna historia que ellos decidan contar y nosotros solamente estamos creando un espacio para que puedan preservar estas historias. En honor al mes de la herencia Hispana/Latina, les dejamos un avance de la historia de Samuel, quien emigró a Estados Unidos de Venezuela en el 2021. Paralelo a su historia, nuestra Directora de Participación Comunitaria, Natalia Garzón, resalta algunas nociones y conceptos importantes para que nuestras audiencias puedan reflexionar sobre la historia de Samuel. Esperamos que disfruten este avance de lo que será el archivo de historias comunitario y los invitamos a que compartan lo que piensan de este formato y que nos escriban si desean compartir su historia con nosotros (por Facebook o Instagram).

This episode is a special preview of what We Love Buford Highway has been working on this 2022: Buford Highway's first community archive. This archive will have stories told directly from people in the community, people that come to our feeding events, people that make up the Buford Highway we all love. Contrary to this podcast, the people in the community archive are not interviewed, they are simply sharing a story they want to share, and we are simply creating space for them to do so. In honor of Hispanic/Latino/x Heritage Month, we are sharing a preview of Samuel's story, who emigrated to the US from Venezuela. Paired with excerpts from his interview, our Program Coordinator Daisy Astudillo highlights some important notions and concepts in his story that are worth reflecting on. We hope you enjoy this taste of the community archive, and we encourage you to share what you think about this format with us wherever you typically find us (Instagram DM, Facebook DM, anywhere else!).

In this episode, Natalia Garzón sits down with Luis Andrés Andino, a Honduran-American educator who empowers students to seek higher education through his job at the Latin American Association. Luis talks about his childhood along Buford Highway, about his background in Criminal Justice, his desire to empower young students, and how he tackles generational beliefs about machismo and mental health in his own life in order to become a better mentor to young adults in the area. If you want to better understand how mental health, toxic masculinity, and COVID has impacted mentoring and youth empowerment, this is an episode for you. If you like this episode, don't forget to share and rate this podcast.

In this episode, Daisy Astudillo sits with Jonathan Peraza-Campos, a Central American educator, organizer, and researcher based in the Buford Highway corridor. This conversation is really about deconstructing and decolonizing the education system in the area, especially for Latino/x students. Jonathan shares with us what he believes is missing in education systems, what needs to change, and why it is important to move away from Eurocentric forms of education and towards a comprehensive, inclusive, and racially-conscious structure. If you are interested in better understanding the complexities of education for multicultural communities in the South, this is an episode for you. Please share and rate this podcast, it helps us a lot :)

This is the second part of the conversation with Alejandra Martinez and Jorge Sosa, who wrote and composed "Buford Highway Dreams", an opera about Buford Highway that competed in the 96 Hour Project hosted by the Atlanta Opera in June 2022. In this second portion, Natalia Garzon and the guests of the episode deconstruct the infamous term "The American Dream," using the opera as a way to understand what this term can mean today and how we can find new ways of rethinking it for the migrant communities they represent and identify with. This episode sheds light on the distinctions between economic and emotional capital, the changes the operatic world has undergone as a result of recent times (BLM, immigration reforms), and the uplifting lessons we can learn from collaborating with artists and advocates with a common goal. If you like this episode don't forget to rate our podcast and share with your friends and family! And if you want to watch the full performance of "Buford Highway Dreams" visit this link.

In this episode, Natalia Garzon sits down with Alejandra Martinez and Jorge Sosa, who wrote and composed "Buford Highway Dreams" a 10-min opera inspired by the life of Guillermo Cesario, who lives and works on Buford Highway. We interviewed him on this podcast in 2021. This project was done in collaboration with We Love Buford Highway as part of the 96 Hour Opera Project, organized by the Atlanta Opera in June of 2022. This is the first opera ever created about Buford Highway immigrants. The two artists talk about the operatic art form, why it is important, how they created "Buford Highway Dreams," and how the themes of the piece complexify the migrant narrative in the area. The first part of this conversation gives a brief overview of the work, the art form, and some of the elements the creators found memorable and meaningful. They also open up conversations about the "American Dream," a concept that deserves more reflection and complexity in our day and age. Stick around for Part II of this episode, which will be published later this month. If you'd like to learn more about the artists, you can find Jorge Sosa HERE and Alejandra Martinez HERE. And if you want to watch the 4 part documentary series on the 96 Hour Opera Project you can go explore HERE.

In this episode our new Program Coordinator Daisy Astudillo talks to Alexa Carmona, one of the 3 selected recipients of the Cruz and Associates' Alcanzando un Sueño Scholarship, given to outstanding Latino students who achieved academic success, participated in community service initiatives, and overcame challenges. Many of the applicants attended our local high schools on Buford Highway, and seeing them represent our community was an inspiring experience. Alexa, who will be attending SCAD and will be a first-generation college graduate in her family, talks about the obstacles and words of wisdom that have helped her navigate her life into adulthood. She talks about her immigrant background, her passion for art, her relationship to her family, and of course, Buford Highway. Alexa is our youngest interviewee yet and we are happy to use this platform to shed light on the experiences of younger generations and learn from them about their immigrant experiences in our community.

In this episode, Natalia Garzón sits down with Kathy Hoyos, a Colombian-American immigration lawyer and partner for the firm Antonini and Cohen, located right on Buford Highway. In this episode, these two Latina women talk about what immigration means to them, the art of storytelling behind law, the power of representation, generational trauma, and where to get the best choriqueso on Buford Highway. Make sure you share, rate, and tell us what you think about this episode.

This is a special episode in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Our Say My Name Campaign highlights the importance of creating spaces for AAPI communities to express and share their culture, their identities, and the way they relate to their heritage. The voices you hear in this episode belong to many AAPI advocates, allies, community members, artists, and individuals who shape and create the diversity of this city and this country. Thank you to everyone who participated. #AAPIHeritageMonth2022

In this episode, Natalia Garzon sits down with Nicole Kang Ahn, a second-generation Korean American artist whose styles delve into love, loss, womanhood and her heritage. Nicole and Natalia talk about art, childhood, womanhood, motherhood, and the shared emotions of immigrant communities. They also talk about art and activism, the Atlanta Spa Shootings, Korean food on Buford Highway, and why Lizzo and Ali Wong are important for future generations of women. If you'd like to take a look at Nicole's art and support her you can check out these links: Nicole's Instagram: @nicolekangahn Nicole's Website: nicolekang.com And this is the link to the ABC's of AAPIs exhibit, which is available on the Beltline until June 30, 2022: https://www.asianamericanadvocacyfund.org/abcs-of-aapis-coloring-book

In this episode of Voices of a Highway, we celebrate the 6 days in April that honor languages. Executive Director, Lily Pabian, sits down with Nancy Tai, the Principal of Taiwan Mandarin Learning Center, right off Buford Highway. The Taiwan Mandarin Learning Center offers cultural programs in addition to Mandarin Chinese language classes and serve around 100 students at the moment. These students include second and third generation Asian Americans and people who simply are interested in learning Chinese language and cultures. Language is important to the heart of Buford Highway's diversity and this episode gives us a glimpse into the innerworkings of language teaching, the importance of Chinese culture and language along the corridor, and of course, the passion from an advocate like Nancy.

In this episode, Executive Director Lily Pabian sits down with Nury Castillo Crawford, a spirited entrepreneur, author of “3,585 Miles to be an American Girl” and founder of 1010 Publishing, a company that promotes a passion for reading by delivering bilingual stories that represent our immigrant communities. Nury shares her immigrant story, her journey as a Latina educator and writer, and her passion for reading, learning, and empowering young children who are finding their voice and their story in this country. Make sure to listen and share with parents and family members that you think would enjoy this powerful story.

In this episode, Natalia Garzon sits down with Aixa Pascual, an organizational leader on Buford Highway. Aixa, a Puerto Rico native, is currently a senior communications marketing strategist for the Atlanta Regional Commission and most recently, was managing director of communications/marketing, advocacy, community relations and arts/culture at the Latin American Association, the largest agency in Georgia dedicated to serving Latino immigrants. Aixa also is the founder of the Club de Lectura, a 5 year old book club that reads Latin American literature (in Spanish) every month. For more information on the book club, check out their website here. You can also watch this short documentary about them here. This episode sheds light on the importance of reading, literature, and discussion for immigrants in Atlanta. Aixa and Natalia talk about their experiences as club members, some of the books they recommend, and most importantly, why this community is important on Buford Highway.

En este episodio Natalia Garzón se sienta con Cynthia Román Hernandez, una mujer de Puerto Rico que trabaja como directora del programa de bienestar familiar para la Asociacion Latinoamericana, la agencia líder de la región para las comunidades latinas en Georgia. En esta entrevista (en español) Cynthia y Natalia hablan de ser inmigrantes, del efecto que tuvo la pandemia en el equipo liderado por Cynthia, de la fatiga por compasión y de los lugares favoritos que le dan vida a Buford Highway. Si les gusta este episodio no duden en compartirlo con sus familiares y amigos. Gracias Cynthia!