My name is Natalie. I am a 26-year-old Afro – Latina and Afro-American woman. My mother’s side comes from the Dominican Republic & Puerto Rico. My father’s side is African American, originally from the south. I grew up in the south with my mother where there were not too many Afro Latinos. I grew up around many non-black Central Americans, non-black Mexicans, and African…
Tag: Blatina
Growing Up Afro- Latina – Zoe Boynton
Hello, My name is Zoe Boynton. I am an Afro Latina and I am Panamanian! Growing up I struggled to accept my Latina identity because only one side of my family is Afro Latino (My mom’s side) with my dad’s side being African American. Growing up I only identified with being Black. It was easier…
I am Called Negra – Luz Mack |
I Am a Complex Mixture With a Rich History of Survival—birthed From the Colonizer’s War That Destroyed All Traces of Taino Origins but Not Before Raping and Enslaving Them. They Created a New Generation While Erasing All Memories of the Past but a Future Marked by Mixed Skin, Fallen From God’s Grace, and an Unknown…
Meet Melanie Hernandez: Afro- Boricua Changing the Conversation Around Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence (DV) affects all regardless of race, religion, gender, and socio-economic groups. Domestic Abuse or intimate partner violence can be described as a pattern of behavior in a relationship that is used to gain control over an intimate partner. This could be in form of sexual, physical, economical, and or psychological actions that dehumanize…
Y no soy negra? – Sharee Yveliz
Cuando me pusieron desrizado y rolos abajo la secadora? Cuando un estilo “simple” coge mas que una hora? No soy negra? Cuando le gente se quedan en sorpresa escúchame hablar la idioma ? O que una mujer piel blanca puede ser mi mamá? No soy negra ? Cuando me preguntan “ju speak eSpanish?” Y me…
Meet Chipo Kandake: Cultural Historian + Ethnographer Cultivating Afro-Mexican Dance History
The conversation of the African Diaspora is one that needs more attentiveness and consciousness across various mass media platforms. The nature of preserving many of its traditions and cultures has a vital impact that exists all around the world. There are so many narratives of Afro-descendants that need to be heard. Many of us have…
Meet Nicole Rivera Hartery : An Afro – Boricua Normalizing Beekeeping in the Black Community
By Jenay Wright — The art of beekeeping is one that manifests with so many great things and is an experience that needs more attentiveness. From preserving honey, collecting hive produces such as beeswax, pollen, royal jelly, and propolis the apiarist ( beekeepers) have a lot on their plate. Their job involves so much handwork…
I’m Afro-Latina and From The UK and Yes, We Exist – Ashley Farias
I can’t make out what you are” “Are you really Latina?’ “But your hair” “You’re the first Latina I’ve ever met” if I got paid every time someone made one of those comments about me, I’d be rich rich. Growing up in an area in London where there were not many Latinos, I’d hear and still…
Meet Liliana Ruiz: Chingona Blaxican Rollerskater
From her graceful spirit to her vibrant energy and creative soul. It was so easy to get lost in her innovative artistic videos. It feels like I was watching a live roller skating experience. Black Girl Magic unfolded right in front of my eyes, the glow showed up and showed out. It was extraordinary! Her…
My Greatest Insecurity: Speaking Spanish – Kiandra Valladares
When my parents moved to Poinciana, Florida from New York City, I was not prepared for the transition at all. I was accustomed to seeing Black faces at every corner and in my circle of cousins, aunts and uncles. We had a Winn Dixie, one gas station and one main road to get in and…
Meet Destiny Corporan: Afro-Dominican Tarot Reader and Reiki Master
Spiritual Healing is an essential practice that many use to contribute to improving their overall wellbeing and helps with having better health. From yoga, medidiation, tarot reading and so much more there are endless opportunities to help with your individual healing. It is a space so many souls gravitate to looking for change, transformation and…
Standing Proud in My Afro-Panamanian Identity – Tiffanie Perea
My name is Tiffanie Samone Perea. I was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. I always knew my father was from Panama. I’m really not sure how to explain how I could be surrounded by family but the sounds from our mouths weren’t the same. They loved me and kissed me and spoke…
Afro, Si! Latina? Onde? – Luana Fernandes Neely
I vividly remember the first time I heard ‘Latina’ in a way that pertained to me, I was seven and my mother was on the phone venting to my Godmother about how my school kept spelling my name wrong, “F-E-R-N-A-N-D-E-S not F-E-R-N-A-N-D-E- Z” for context, I was a predominantly Hispanic school in Arizona so the…
Meet Andrea Green: Blasian Panamanian Savage X Fenty Brand Ambassador
Self-love is the best love and it is truly vital we show up as our best selves. This starts with loving every single part of you from your skin, hair, body and so much more. Flaws and all you are special and divine and remember this every single day. Andra Green, a proud Afro-Latina uses her…
Pues no me mires – Sharee Yveliz
pues. no me mire.is what i wish i had the guts to say all those years ago.when everything was commented on from my hair, my clothes down to the color on my toes no me mireswhen you dont like my hair because you wouldnt style it as suchwhen its shaved short, long or my afro…
Meet Jessica Jade: The Afro-Latina Organic Skincare Artisan
Skincare is extremely prevalent to many of us, it is instilled into our everyday lifestyle. It is incorporated into our self-care regimes and routines. Having our ski n glow and our melanin shine so wonderfully contributes to us feeling beautiful. Let’s admit it if we have a bomb skincare day or week that makes our…
I Am Black and, Yes! I Speak Spanish. – Marcela Bermudez
How are you Black and speak Spanish? “Honduras? Is that in Mexico?” “I didn’t know that Black people speak Spanish” If I were to get a dollar each time, I heard any of those phrases or questions, I would be extra rica con dinero right now. These questions and comments that I have heard all…
To Be Black, Beautiful, and Costa Rican – Shantel Miller
Both my parents were born and raised in the beautiful country of Costa Rica. (I love saying that lol. Fun fact about Costa Rica. Costa Rica has the largest Jamaican diaspora after Cuba and Panama and its development as a nation is witness to this contribution. Since 1850, fishermen of Afro-Caribbean origin began to…
A Letter to White Latinx and those who Look Good on Television – Faye Tinsley
Dear White Latinx and the passive complicit actors and actresses who love saying N****r to appeal to their white counterparts. How are things? Has your race come into question lately? Do the same white people who tell you not to act like Negros still give you the same treatment? Or are you capitalizing off the…
Unapologetically, embodying my Afro-Colombian & Dominican Identity — Daviana Mercedes
Growing up I always knew I looked different, from the texture of my hair to the color of my skin. The intersection of Latinx and Black identities run deep, yet Latinas who look like me aren’t front and center in popular media. As a woman who proudly identifies as an Afro-Latina, I’m here to say…
What are YOU? I am more than just an Afro Latina!—Tracey Phipps
“What are you?” That’s a common question I normally get asked. I’ve also heard “I knew you were mixed with something but didn’t want to ask,” or “there’s something different about you.” To some people this is offensive but I appreciate the curiosity. I’m flattered now when people assume I am an exotic creation handcrafted…
“Dear America” A Letter to America from an Afro- Latina – Franchesca Chavez
Dear America, I’m an Afro-Latina born and raised in a country I’ve loved, embraced, and cherished – yet in so many ways, it has not responded the same way to me. While I’ve tried to fit into a mold that would make it easier for people to understand who I am, I’ve often felt…
Owning My Afro-Latinidad, Unapologetically — Monique Soto
By: Monique Soto — I am a proud Black and Puerto Rican – an Afro Latina! It has taken a long time for me to love and accept my heritage and descent until this point in my life. I had my fair share of identity struggles. My father is Puerto Rican from Rio…
La Afro-Mexicana de Santa Ana – Crisma Petatan
By Crisma Petatan — “One of the questions I get asked the most is “What are you?” I am asked this question after I start speaking Spanish. I have brown skin and afro hair. When people see me, they see a black woman and black women in America only speak English right? Well that…
Meet Vivian Moran: The Voice of Afro – Indigenous Peruvians
Imagine being a product of two rich ethnic groups. Imagine being a descendant from Peru and standing proudly in your skin. Imagine being Vivian Moran. Whose art recognizes her African and Indigenous roots and gives a voice to her community. From celebrating Black and Indigenous womanhood through digital art. Or saying what needs to be…
Dear You – Sharee Yveliz
Dear you, My “Dominican side” is not showing. It didn’t make an appearance as if my blackness was hiding it. My American status doesn’t take away from the culture I was raised in. Dear you, I am Dominican. I shout in Spanish when I’m frustrated; curse words roll off my tongue when I’m angry….
Growing Up Afro Latina In the South – Kisha Gulley
“My name is Captain so and so where are you from?” “I’m your flight attendant Kisha, I’m from Arkansas.” “No you aren’t.” At this point I roll my eyes. Introducing yourself to your crew is customary in the aviation world. You want to know who you are working with. For me though it always got…
5 times Nitty Scott did it for Negritas
By Jenay Wright – Afro-Boricua Nitty Scott speaks life and her music is a empowering movement. If you don’t already it time follow a long. When I listen to music I want to feel empowered and motivated. As music is an art of expression its a necessity for me to take things away from each…
Ivana- Sol Larios – Raices
Una negra hispana. Eso es lo que mis padres creation cuando me hicieron. Una gitana sin una patria de mi propia Con una pierna en el Caroní y una pierna en la Amazónica. ¿Pero a quien pertenezco? El español no sale de mi lengua Tan fácilmente Como mi abuela quiere Y mi piel no…
LandishaBeauty: Discussing the LGBTQ & the Afro-Latina identity
“I drive to represent anyone like me, anyone who has ever felt not accepted or felt like an outcast because of who they are, or how they dress, or who they choose to love. And I also strive to show not only people like me but everyone that it’s okay to be different and it’s…
AM I AFRO-LATINA ENOUGH?
Afro- Latina speaks community of empowering individuals. It represents a culture of those who Celebrate traditions that deeply root back to the motherland. It signifies the rich Sounds of our ancestors who carried the musical rhythms of Africa with them. It preserves our expression of dance, songs, religion and literature with a Latin twist without neglecting our African roots. It crosses barriers from SudaAmerica to Centroamerica along to the coast of Puerto Rico. It flows through all facets…
The Hangout with HarmoniCurls: Afro-Latina Beauty Vlogger
The creative project AfroinSanJuan documents some of the most unique, organic and refreshing women living in Puerto Rico. Each Afro beauty has her own story or voice behind her image. The photography is so creatively intriguing you want to know more. When Afro-Latina Vlogger Harmonicurls was featured I automatically clicked to her content because it was…
Not Just A Label; Paola Aragon Brown
It was during my college career that I officially heard the term Afro Latina, weird right? I guess I was a late bloomer. Born to Afro Colombian parents, they never quite emphasized on the fact that we were Afro Colombians, we were just Colombian. It has been my observation, as I have dissected…
Reclaiming My Identity; Jenay Wright
I look at beautiful brown people as they walk pass me as they talk and laugh, they look just like me. Shopping in soho, with their beautiful brown skin and bright smiles while the sun shinned so bright on their melanated color. They wear blackness so bold and so confident. I looked back at my reflection…
The Afro-Dominican Writer, Womanist and Healer
As a woman of color, black woman and a conscious Afro-Latina I find their are a lack of outlets devoted to mental and spiritual healing for our community. These resources are imperative to have access to. The process of self-healing is a useful tool to have in your life and for individuals who are interested in using this tactic we need platforms…
BLACK , LATINA AND BEAUTIFUL
By Mitzy Quarless Jimenez — I’m a Panamanian, Afro-Latina and a proud repper of all things negritud. [ Here is my story ] because it is one of positivity and one that has kept me strong despite the world trying to bring me down for things I have no control…
Soy Afro-Panameña –A Personal Story of Afro-Latina Identity and Pride
Tamika Burgess is a Writer and Educator. She produces the monthly Afro-Latina focused newsletter, Es Mi Cultura. Follow her on twitter @TameeksB By Tamika Burgess —“I thought you were Black!” This is the response I sometimes get from people when they find out my parents are Panamanian. Looking down at my arm in a sarcastic…
5 reasons being Afro-Latina is unique
As an Afro-Latina women I am honored to identify with two incredible heritages . My black heritage as well as my Latina and Panamanian heritage. This is something I take pride in and I encourage the rest of you to be proud of as well. Despite the discrimination and rejection we have encountered from our…
Finding my identity
There is one thing you should never do, allow someone to deprive you of who you are. There is two things you should never do, allow someone to steal your pride and your confidence. And if there is three things you should do is appreciate, cherish and love yourself no matter what you go through….