Latinas From The Block To The Boardroom

When platforms profit over people, communities pay the price. In the latest episode of Latinas from the Block to the Boardroom, Theresa E. Gonzales speaks with Nora Benavidez, a Civil Rights and Free Speech Latina attorney fighting for free expression and tech accountability. While Big Tech spends $61.5M on lobbying to avoid this accountability, Nora is using civil rights law to fight back and won her groundbreaking PEN America v. Trump victory to exposing the "Big Tech Backslide" that eliminated 17 safety policies right before the 2024 election. She is the ONLY LATINA proving that strategic legal action that can challenge even the most powerful tech giants.Nora shares how she went from law school—where no one looked like her—to the ACLU and now Free Press, shaping policy around misinformation and civil rights. Her Big Tech Backslide report exposes how companies like Meta, X, and YouTube rolled back critical trust and safety policies despite public promises.Finally, we dive into Section 230, the law that shields platforms from liability while still enabling harm, yet we are still protected by this from our 1st Amendment rights. She is a contributing writer for Rolling Stone, The Atlantic, CNN, and Tech Policy Press. Her expertise and commentary is regularly featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, CNN, NBC, Fox News, The Los Angeles Times, and other publications.Join us on Latinas from the Block to the Boardroom as we amplify Latine and community voices, through their stories of perseverance, and having the courage to believe in your pursuit of your dream. Let's take control of our narratives, discuss pathways to higher education, empower community with technology, to inspire future generations.Host & Executive Producer Theresa E. Gonzales discusses everything from the our representation in tech industry, healthy communities, change makers of non-profits, education and small business journeys, through intergenerational conversations with unapologetic banter tochange the status quo.Check out and listen to more episodes: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3zvQq2ySpotify: https://spoti.fi/4e8wNwMAmazon: https://amzn.to/4eMOBxEYouTube: https://bit.ly/Latinasb2bSupport Latinas B2B by checking out our merch: https://www.latinasb2b.com/shop-latin...Connect with us: Website: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube @Latinasb2b Instagram: @Latinasb2b LinkedIn: @latinasb2bmarketing Facebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing Join newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comPodcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com.

In this urgent and deeply concerning conversation, host Theresa E. Gonzales sits down with former NY Times journalist, author, and activist Julie Scelfo. She is now the founder and executive director of Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA). Together, Julie and Theresa's combined knowledge of these social media platforms begin to pull back the curtain on the hidden harms of modern technology—particularly how unregulated social media platforms and AI-powered algorithms are targeting, addicting, and endangering children. Julie also discusses how she and Mothers Against Media Addiction, helped to create the first kids cell phone policy in NY schools, the "Bell To Bell" policy, which is the largest state legislation to help kids become more engaged in school and to limit phone screen time. Julie brings to the table years of investigative reporting, alarming statistics (including a 92.3% increase in suicide among Hispanic children), and heartbreaking stories of young lives lost due to harmful content exposure online. She details how media addiction has been normalized, how schools are becoming battlegrounds for attention, and what it means to fight for systemic safeguards and legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). She has help create 35 chapters across 22 states in just over a year, which is a testament to wearemama.org, and how they are mobilizing parents across the country to reclaim control, and change the future of digital safety. If you’re a parent, teacher, activist—or someone who simply cares about the next generation—this episode will give you the tools and awareness to act. Resources listed below. If you enjoyed this episode and found it informative, you can support us by making a donation here . This helps us keep bringing you these amazing guests! Episode 70 Resources: wearemama.org National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy's call for warning labels on social media platforms KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act) Social Media Victims Remembrance Day (June 23) Meta Gets Approval To Build 10 Billion Dollar Data Center In Louisiana Dec. 2024. Connect and engage with us: Website: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube: @Latinasb2b Instagram: @Latinasb2b LinkedIn: @latinasb2bmarketing Facebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/latinasb2b.bsky.socialJoin our newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comPodcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com.Gracias.

In a world where diversity and inclusion are at the forefront of transformative business practices, our latest episode offers an inspiring narrative of empowerment, leadership, and the indispensable role of Latinas in reshaping the corporate landscape. In this episode, Natalie Molina Niño, President and Co-Founder of Known, a distinguished investor and advocate for women and communities of color in business, joins the podcast to share an abundance of boardroom information on the crucial contributions of Latinas in business and economic development. We discuss the growing influence of Latinas in entrepreneurship, the buying power of the Latino/a community and the lack of Latina/o representation in boardrooms that don't reflect the current economic opportunities. Our discussion also covers the pathways into boardrooms and how to find the right boardroom that aligns to your values. There is no greater time to look at the next opportunity for your career or to grow your organization with this insightful information on diversifying your boardroom to scale your business. Information quoted in this podcast for resources are located here: Latino Buying Power & Latino Boardroom Statistics & Latina Economic Influencer Check out and listen to more episodes: Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3zvQq2y Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4e8wNwM YouTube: https://bit.ly/Latinasb2b Support Latinas B2B by checking out our merch: https://www.latinasb2b.com/shop-latin...Connect with us: Website: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube @Latinasb2b Instagram: @Latinasb2b LinkedIn:@Theresalatinasb2bFacebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing X: @LatinasB2BJoin newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comPodcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com.

Our special guest, Mony Ruiz Velasco- Deputy Director of Equality Illionios, and proud queer Latina, wife and mother who shares her extensive experience as a human rights advocate and attorney, emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy and visibility for LGBTQ+ communities. In this episode we reflect on her personal journey growing up in Mexico and South Texas, and her commitment to making it easier for future generations to find support and acceptance, as many young Latine LGBTQ+ youth don't feel safe or supported. The conversation underscores the importance of providing an inclusive environment, to feel safe in expressing their identities, especially for LGBTQ Latine youth and within our communities of color, who experience higher rates of verbal assault, physical violence, homelessness and suicidal thoughts compared to their peers. We also discuss and celebrate significant legislative victories, such as the requirement for LGBTQ history to be taught in schools, showcasing the resilience and vibrancy of the LGBTQ community, such as the Stonewall riots, the ACT UP movement and learning how to find community and resources. The significance of voting this year is not over-hyped nor should be sidelined, as over 500 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been initiated, and some advanced into law, to ban books, advance incarceration sentencing and deny access to healthcare for LGBTQ+ youth, which significantly impacts marginalized communities of color. With the stakes so high in this election year, the impact of state bills that aim to undermine our freedoms and civil rights will significantly create a humanitarian crisis over the next few years. We highlight the need for community unity and the role of truth in combating these challenges. We are so thankful to have truth sources, such as Mony and the representation of Equality Illinois on our podcast, to continue our needed education and resources to keep communities safe. Resources and links for further information. Gracias. Resources Mentioned: The Trevor Project UCLA School of Law -Williams Institute Equality Illinois Glaad.org ACLU Human Rights Campaign Connect with Latinas From The Block To The BoardroomWebsite: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube @Latinasb2bJoin newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comFacebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing Instagram: @Latinasb2b X.com: @LatinasB2B Merchandise for this Podcast: Latinasb2b.com/ShopPodcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com.

We are incredibly honored to host Marlene Sanchez, the Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. As the Executive Director of theElla Baker Center for Human Rights, Marlene is a proud San Francisco native, and Chicana, where she has spent more than 20 years building power with youth and formerly incarcerated people. Through her work, Marlene has created pathways to invest in the leadership of people directly impacted by the criminal legal system and helped center the voices of young people to bring youth justice. For the past decade, she has helped pass policies focused on youth justice, reproductive justice, LGBTQ discrimination, police accountability, and sentencing reform. Marlene came to community work at age 15 looking for employment and a way out of the juvenile justice system. She is the result of change through a resourced community. In this episode, we discuss how incarceration breaks families and communities apart and it’s not the answer to keeping communities safe. The United States prison system has the highest incarcerated population of brown and black men, and the legacy of prison systems stems from slavery and economic exploitation that this country was built upon. (Author, Nicole Hannah Jones mentions within the first chapters of her book, The 1619 project,) By holding accountability of elected officials, for housing, jobs and healthcare, instead of increasing funding to police and prison job creations, the Ella Baker Center has created impactful policy reform, recognizing their instrumental role in the passage of the Racial Justice Act. As we transition to the crucial topic of voting rights, we spotlight the advocacy groups like All of Us or None and Initiate Justice, tirelessly championing the electoral voice of the incarcerated. Ella Baker herself was the champion of civil rights and justice by fighting racisim and organizing the first non-violent youth movements, for the civil rights movement and championing our power to vote. Marlene shares with us an open invitation to join the Ella Baker Center's newly launched membership program, starting May 22nd, here in Oakland California and online, to provide opportunities for you to participate or support their upcoming political organizing initiative and “Get The Vote Out” training programs for the summer of 2024. Marlene is a testament to the power of community activism in shaping a democracy that truly represents us all. Gracias Marlene.

Today, we're joined by the creative and innovative founder of Nopalera, Sandra Lilia Velazquez. Sandra takes us on a journey through a powerful narrative of embracing Chicana identity, to her band Pistolera, to crafting beauty products with the Mexican cactus, the Nopal, that encapsulates Mexican heritage. The Nopal cactus isn't just a plant; it's a testament to the untapped potential within Latino communities, as we, Latinos, know how utilize the entire Nopal: From The pads, which have medicinal purpose in being cooked, to the yummy “tunas” the reddish/purple fruit that grow from the cactus pads that you can eat! But Sandra’s mission for Nopalera is clear: to be bold and worthy of luxury. Together, we discuss how we can elevate Latino goods in the marketplace, much like the esteemed European luxury brands, and to ensure these products evoke the respect and value they deserve from consumers. It’s about self worth, as we clearly saw in her famous SharkTank episode, and her pivotal start up journey, where the challenges of learning the operational ropes with technology and trademarks, demonstrated her resilience in entrepreneurship. Overall, she presents a passionate appeal to all listeners to support Nopalera's mission, by showing the power of customer advocacy in shaping a brand's success-We need to ask for the products where we shop, such as Ulta and Sephora, the higher end retailers where we see other European beauty and bath products. We belong there too. Sandra's story is one of resilience, identity, and the bold spirit of entrepreneurship to change our narrative. If you would like more information about Nopalera, you can visit their website at Nopalera.co and if you would like to learn more about Sandra, you can visit her website, which is full of valuable information, you can go to Sanda Lilia Velazquez.com Highlights:(06:57 - 07:23) The Ordinary Nopal in Everyday Life(09:40 - 10:41) Community Power Dominates Brand Influence(16:48 - 18:11) Latinas in Leadership and Ownership(21:08 - 22:06) Importance of Business Licensing and Trademarks(26:19 - 26:45) Cost of Learning the Hard Way(34:57 - 36:04) Empowering Latinas in Corporate LeadershipConnect with Latinas From The Block To The BoardroomWebsite: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube @Latinasb2bJoin newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comFacebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing Instagram: @Latinasb2b X.com: @LatinasB2B Podcast Executive production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Creative Design & Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez.To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com. Gracias.

Talib Jasir is a lifelong creator and storyteller and his journey has been one of evolution and resilience. He takes us on a journey of how he was captivated by audio storytelling in the back of his mother’s car and from listening to audiobooks through the library dial up telephone. YES, it was a thing back in the day! His narration of storytelling is profound through 5 generations of his family as lifelong storytellers through the women in his family, explaining the importance of keeping the family narrative together and passing it down to future generations. As POC keep moving through the digital world, it's even more imperative for us to tell our stories, to keep an archive of the events, to teach and inspire future generations. As a leader, creative, founder and CEO, Talib hasn’t been without challenges as he mentions that every obstacle has served to fortify his belief in his abilities and underscored the importance of seeking support and fostering a community-centric, collaborative approach​​. Talib became a dual-certified life coach in 2015 and he’s partnered with high-performing creatives and business owners across various industries. His own personal journey through personal coaching led him to establish a creator space and event, Afros & Audio in 2018, aiming to empower and unite Black audio creators and professionals in a field where our voices were just beginning to gain the mainstream recognition they deserved​​. Gracias Talib. For more information about Talib, You can follow her here: LinkedInIGX Connect with Latinas From The Block To The BoardroomWebsite: www.latinasb2b.com YouTube @Latinasb2bJoin newsletter: www.latinasb2b.comFacebook: @Latinasb2b.marketing Instagram: @Latinasb2b X.com: @LatinasB2B Podcast production by Theresa E. Gonzales and Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez. To learn more about Latinasb2b.com and how you can work with us in a sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@latinasb2b.com. Gracias.

Nancy Flores, former journalist of the American Austin Statesman, founder of Cultura Media and Editor and Publisher of Austin Vida, and I discuss how do Latinos find trusted news sources within our communites especially after Covid-19 and the election of 2020. Before the pandemic hit and the elections of 2016, local news resources began to disappear, leaving many community members vulnerable to fake information through social media and ROBO calls of false information of voting by mail, due to a lack of local news resources, that left many rural and suburban areas as News Deserts. However, Nancy is changing this narrative by creating trust and transparency from her community by asking the community what they want to hear and see and then by sharing through her platform of local news and cultura, Austin Vida a bilingual digital news platform. Nancy has won numerous awards, including the HABLA (Hispanic Business Advocates Business Leaders of Austin) and LION (Local Independent Online News Publishers Local Journalism Awards) Awards in Austin, TX. Austin Vida is growing and looking for your support online! Let’s support more local news outlets in the coming 2024 election year and beyond! To support Austin Vida, you can subscribe to their monthly Cultura Guide, which is a huge time saver for those traveling to SXSW for Latinidad events, shows and film screenings during the conference. Gracias. To follow Nancy and Austin Vida: IG: @Austin VidaX. @Austin VidaLinkedIn@Nancy-Flores366711122/To Learn more about Latinasb2b.com and podcasting business resources, please subscribe to our newsletter @ Latinasb2b.marketingFollow Us on YouTube @Latinasb2b and IG @Latinasb2b Podcast Produced by Theresa E. Gonzales and by 5-E Leadership & Marketing LLC. All Rights Reserved. Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez of CratesAudio.com

Veronica Colon Rosairio. Executive director of Fundacion de mujeres en Puerto Rico was founded by women in the Diaspora and within Puerto Rico, which promotes social justice and supports the economic security, safety, health, reproductive autonomy and general empowerment of women, girls and gender-fluid individuals in Puerto Rico. Why is this so important? The women and outer communities of PR have continuously been left on the margins, particularly women, since colonial times of the island and it has been a corporate tax free haven to exploit folks and keep them in poverty. Think Hawaii 2.0.After Hurricane Marie hit her home country of Puerto Rico, Veronica went back home to leverage her US top tier educational background, with an 11 year career within a Washington, DC think tank, to help rebuild the country through an ecosystem of non-profits creating an entrepreneurial environment to help communities see ownership and organizing women at the forefront to lead a new transformation of Puerto Rico. Veronica and I discuss the importance of this new leadership and a socio-economic change for women to be at the forefront due to the history of Puerto Rico and the US relationships over the years. Particularly the big corporations and Pharma which has had a long history of creating clinical trials with the first birth control pills tested on Puerto Rican Women which were hugely controversial and was also known as The Pill Trials to lead into the first testing distribution of Opioids in Puerto Rico. The history of Puerto Rican people has long been colonized by Spain and the US by creating more profits to the wealthy since the early 1900’s as per this documentary we refenced call “La Operacion '' which at minute 7, is where we see the economic displacement begin of the farming communities and lower income neighborhoods, then by sterilizing women to control the populations. There is a lot to unpack in this episode, but the goal is to start discussions of our histories that are slowly being erased and how these policies of colonization, which clearly opened our eyes to the concept through social media with Gaza and Israel, has long been a thing here in the US starting with the Indigenous populations. It’s time to start healing and moving forward by learning more and advocating for those that are not resourced to live humanely. By providing women leadership and entrepreneurial skills to help rebuild communities, creates a pathways for the right investments getting to the people that need them the most, not to those who profit from the land ownerships and corporations that feed the broken policies of Puerto Rico. It’s time for us, women of color and our allies, to invest in social equity that builds communities into better women’s healthcare and a new economic sustainable society for future generations. For context in this episode, we referenced the Madrigal sisters which is in reference to the Madrigal ten, which was a legal case of Madrigal v. Quilligan in Los Angeles California from the 1970’s challenged the forced sterilzation of latina women without their consent. But this is not anything new, and can not be forgotten, just as UnidosUS provides us with more information and context on forced sterization of Latinas here that is also happening in ICE detention centers. Thank you for supporting this episode. If you’d like to get in touch with Mujeres en Fundación de Puerto Rico, Inc. you can visit them at the website here and follow them on social media here If you would like more information about Latinasb2b.com, please reach out to us at info@latinasb2b.com.Executive Production and Host by Theresa E. Gonzales of 5-E Leadership and MarketingAudio Engineered by Robert Lopez of Crates AudioSubscribe to our Newsletter Latinasb2b.comFollow us:YouTube @Latinasb2bIG @ Latinasb2bLinkedIn @ Latinasb2b.marketingX @LatinasB2BGracias

Kayla Castenada, of Agua Bonita who has broken into the Beverage industry with her Agua Bonita drinks, a non-alcoholic beverage, saw an opportunity in the Non-Alcoholic Drinks market with Agua Frescas being something viable within a large industry, but wasn't recognized as an option by global brands. The market opportunity for 2023 amounts to US$496.50bn! That’s a lot of BEBIAS! The market's largest segment is the segment Soft Drinks with a market volume of US$328.10bn. Kayla, being from the heart of the Central Valley, Hanford California, where most of America receives its food, saw the opportunity and took her shot. Now, Kayla is the first Latina in her industry to raise more than $1 million dollars and has been honored with a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister, a Cartier global impact entrepreneur, a top 100 Female Founder as recognized by Inc. magazine. In addition, Agua Bonita has now achieved success in retailers nationwide, 1300 stores and counting, and part of their sales goes towards supporting farm workers rights. Let's get into the business of seeing our super powers and presenting it to the world! Los Vamos! This episode was sponsored by Latinas And Power, a network of thousands of Latina Professionals and Entrepreneurs from Across the United States that are ready for leadership opportunities. Join today or inquire about their Latinas In Leadership Institute @ Latinasinleadershipinstitue.com Production and Host by Theresa E. Gonzales of 5-E Leadership and Marketing Audio Engineered by Robert Lopez of Crates Audio Subscribe to our Newsletter Latinasb2b.comFollow us: YouTube @Latinasb2bIG @ Latinasb2bLinkedIn @ Latinasb2b.marketing X @LatinasB2B

Welcome to Season 5 with Beatrice (Bia) Vieira, CEO of The Women’s Foundation California, a publicly supported foundation dedicated to achieving racial, economic, and gender justice by centering the experience and expertise of communities most impacted by systemic injustice. Their vision is to build a feminist future for California by investing in, training, and connecting community leaders to advance gender, racial, and economic justice. In this episode, we discuss heading into the 2024 elections and communities most at risk, and how we can not afford to stand on the sidelines. Raising awareness of the unseen in our communities, giving voice to the power of movements are creating unbelievable change within US policies and new technology that big media does not cover or follow. Podcasting our local movements and community initiatives has created a “boots on the ground” medium, with the change makers of tomorrow. This also builds our voices on the future of AI, which will represent us in more empowering light when prompted correctly. (That’s a whole another story, episode 42 for reference.) I’ve said in the past, and speaking in person, “Technology has the power to change the narratives, because as we speak and write this, it is changing and making a new content data point. WE now exist to understand that our past generations worked their way through all these systems to provide a safety net and movements for education, access to food programs, ethnic studies, healthcare programs, STEM and technology access into schools. WE have the community power and just as much access to these technology systems and their platform for community resources to leverage the power of our truth, our voices, our resources and opportunities, to be a source of our truths. Thank you for listening and supporting this podcast. We are small but mighty! For more information, please subscribe to us on your podcasting platforms, Apple, YouTube, Spotify and subscribe to our newsletter at Latinasb2b.com This podcast was produced by Theresa E. Gonzales and audio engineered by Robert Lopez of CratesAudio. Follow us on our Social Handles: IG @Latinasb2bTW/X @LatinasB2BFB @Latinasb2b LinkedIn

Streaming platforms have created a whole new avenue, and revenue, for new content to be distributed, promoted and accessed. Covid shut down gave us a whole new avenue to search for our narratives, and our cultural dialogue. Meet John Murillo, Founder of Chicano Hollywood, a media and film streaming platform based out of Los Angeles California, that brings their own narratives of the barrio and Chicano culture through their Chicano Hollywood App, ROKU, Amazonfire TV, AmazonTV, and through their website, Chicanohollywood.com.Chicano Hollywood is a movement born on the set of the feature film, "Horchata with Oat Milk". While on set, a bunch of Chicano filmmakers created a story about the adjustments and effects of gentrification with the theme of "whether good or bad change happens". In similar fashion that story epitomizes the current social standing of Chicanos nationwide, including how we are hired within Hollywood.Chicano story tellers are growing in prominence, standing and influence as Producers, Directors, DP's, Crew and especially Talent. We are becoming a voice that reflects the majority of the English speaking Latinos of any decent here in the United States. You only have to look at the power of influence in the current narratives to know, now is our time as a community to build an ecosystem of support through these powerful platforms that share our voices, our lens. To Learn more about Chicano Hollywood and their upcoming event, “Elevate” Conference, September 8th and 9th in Los Angeles, CA., you can view it here. You can also follow them on IG, Facebook and TikTok. The podcast was recorded and produced earlier this year, by Theresa E. Gonzales of Latinasb2b.marketing and audio engineered by Robert Lopez. Please follow us Latinas From The Block To The Boardroom on: Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, & LinkedIn.