Metro Philadelphia Latino Power Players

Ana Hernández is the news director for Telemundo 62. She is responsible for leading the on-air, digital, and streaming operations for Telemundo 62 that serves Spanish and bilingual viewers in the Greater Philadelphia region. With more than two decades of experience in Spanish language media, Ana comes from Telemundo PR, where she served as executive producer. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Ana earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Sacred Heart.

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
The Latino community in Philly is united, evolving, thriving in so many ways. The Hispanic population has grown tremendously in our designated market area. The Latinos in our area are also changing, with more Central Americans making our region their new home. That brings opportunities for new businesses, better workforce, representation, political power, diverse communities and cultural experiences. It also brings challenges, providing the Hispanic communities what they need to succeed.

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia could support the Latino community better through education, health access, and business opportunities. Grants and support for new Latino business owners are key for the development of a strong, vibrant, and self-sufficient community. Also, education and career training to aspire to good paying jobs. Healthcare access with more bilingual doctors that can connect with our community at a medical, but also cultural, level. Accessible housing for families and safe neighborhoods.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
Calle 5 in North Philly feels like home. I absolutely love El Centro de Oro. The art, murals, food, music, will transport anyone to a version of Puerto Rico that is unique and special because it also has the Sazón of Philadelphia. It’s a place to connect with people that look, talk, and feel like you, and that is so empowering.

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
Firstly, Jesse Bermudez. His work is so inspiring. Jesse was a musician and activist that promoted Latin music education in Philly. Secondly, Jacqueline Romero is the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Through her leadership and service, she has represented the Hispanic and LGBTQ+ community from Philadelphia and the whole nation.

A seasoned public relations and communications leader with 25 years of experience, Mayra Hernandez Bergman oversees communications strategies for PECO, aimed at engaging with 1.7 million electric customers and more than 545,000 natural gas customers, as well as 2,900 employees working across Southeastern Pennsylvania. She leads a talented team of communicators working to enhance PECO’s reputation in the communities where it operates, telling its stories of investment, innovation, customer advocacy, and community empowerment.

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
The Philadelphia Latino community is resilient, strong, and driven. Whether you are an immigrant or fifth generation American, we proudly embrace and celebrate our multifaceted culture, language, and food, while also contributing to the economic growth of our region. We are dreamers and work hard to achieve our goals and those of the generation coming after us. We are nuanced in our traditions but act as one community, lifting and supporting one another. 

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
There is much that has been done by local organizations to elevate Latino voices and issues. I admire the determination of organizations in the city that focus on strengthening our Hispanic community through workforce development, community outreach, education, and arts and culture. We have a collective responsibility to empower those around us by lifting others, exercising our voices, and creating opportunities in support of this community.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
Any and all Latino restaurants in the city! Enjoying Hispanic-inspired cuisine at one of our local spots, immersing yourself in culture, language, and tradition.

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
Yes, my dad. He represented everything our community embodies. With grit, determination, hard work and a clear vision for the future, he set out to break the cycle of poverty and became a role model for us to follow. He left us 25 years ago, but his spirit lives on his children and grandchildren.

Abraham Travis Lamboy is a second-generation Puerto Rican, originally from NY, who recently moved to Levittown, PA. He currently is a residential counselor at Livengrin with the FRAT (First Responders Addiction, Treatment) program, where he works with veterans, police, firefighters, EMTs, and more. Inspired by his service in the Army, he continues to support others and aids in building meaningful lives. His passions are drawing, personal training, and giving back. 

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
As I learn about the community here in my new home, what I see is that the camaraderie and support the Latino community has is unique, being able to connect and be a part of a larger group beyond one culture. 

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
I believe having more Hispanics in the counseling field would be one of the most impactful ways to support the Latino community, as it would help break the communication barrier and also the relatability barrier. Being able to have rapport from a cultural perspective allows someone to open up, be authentic, and grow.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
I would take them to Silver Lake Park, where you can see the lake from a beautiful vantage point, followed by a walk where you pass by a flock of geese that swim through the lily pads and water plants. 

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
I’m still new to this community. I am originally from NY, but my grandfather is my Latino hero. My grandfather came to NY in the late 1940s. He didn’t have anything and worked hard to build a life. He served as a merchant marine, and after my military service gave me a roof over my head. He has shown strength, willingness, and unconditional kindness, and continues to be one of the happiest people I know.

Yocasta Lora is passionate about creating equitable intergenerational spaces that intersect design, policy, and governance with a focus on sustainable economic growth. Yocasta volunteers in various organizations, The City of Philadelphia’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity, the Shares Food Program, HACE, Montgomery County Advisory Council for Equity, and was appointed to PA Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Yocasta studied Education and Business Administration at La Salle University in Philadelphia, and Executive Education at Yale University and Harvard University.

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
The Latino Community in Philadelphia is unique because of its diversity and desire to remain in touch with its roots by exposing others to their culture, traditions, arts, cuisine, etc. Philadelphia is home, es nuestra casa.

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
We need more opportunities for inclusion and resources for the entrepreneur/small business community to thrive. Intentional collaboration to make thoughtful and purposeful changes. It will require a commitment to investment and funding allocation to invest in talent development, to allow our community to sit at the table and make decisions beyond their culture, religion, sexual orientation, or skin color.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop
Philadelphia is such a historic city. We’re lucky to have so many great options when considering visiting a place in our communities. I would take them to Silvia’s Bakery on 2nd Street in North Philadelphia for a taste of the Dominican Republic. It’s one of those hidden gems in the heart of Philadelphia’s Latino community – best coffee and pastelito in town.

Quetcy Lozada was born and raised in the 7th District. Before winning the election in November, 2022, Councilmember Lozada most recently held the position of Vice President of Community Organizing and Engagement at Esperanza, where she was tasked with ensuring that community residents had access to resources. The need to get personally involved in assisting people with their problems continues to be a vital part of her work and her motivation.

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
Nearly a quarter of a million Latinos live in Philadelphia – 15.2% of the city’s population. Today we are doctors, lawyers, nurses, artists, teachers, and so much more. Latinos can be found in just about every Philadelphia neighborhood and in most communities, and while we may not always agree, we have a unique way of coming together to support a cause or defend an injustice. We live far away from the motherland, but wear our flags on our chest each day with orgullo.

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
We can better support Latinos by adequately investing education in neighborhoods and communities, and by creating opportunities that educate and encourage Latino political representation throughout Philadelphia, the commonwealth, and the region.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
If I were taking someone on a tour, one of my first stops would be the corner of 5th and Lehigh, El Bloque de Oro and home of Centro Musical. Although it is not the same place today as it was 20 years ago, it is still a place where friends and strangers become family. Guitars and cuatros hang on the walls, maracas, panderetas, güiros, and CDs can be found everywhere. And shaking your hips to the beats of some of Latino’s greatest genres, both past and present, is a guarantee throughout the entire experience.

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
Iris Violeta Colon Torres was born and raised in Puerto Rico, and came to the peninsula in 1970. For 40 years, her efforts were focused on advocating for urban and disadvantaged populations, especially abused women and children. She is a known writer, poet, journalist, speaker and artist. She has served on many boards, but the most inspiring to me was her time as president of the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women. Her ability to embrace, promote, protect and defend women, and tell our story, our history, and our contributions to this country will forever be unmatched.

Silvia and Daniel Lucci are immigrants from Argentina that created LUHV, an award-winning manufacturing company of nutritional vegan foods. Daniel is the creative talent behind every item produced. Silvia is the founder and CEO. They’ve received the 2019 minority business leader award, the 2020 Business of the Year Award by GPHCC, and the 2021 Al Dia “Top Entrepreneur.” In 2022, LUHV received a congressional flag for its contribution to providing healthy foods. Their goal is mainstreaming veganism and changing the world with every bite.

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
We understand and respect our beautifully diverse community’s flavors, music, colors, and accents. The Latino community represents many Latin American countries, cultures, socioeconomic backgrounds, and education. We are rich and powerful in diversity. Our immigrant characteristics of strength, ambition, tenacity, and hard-working ethics give us a unique opportunity to be part of the city’s future. We are united to help each other become a strong financial and cultural force in the city of Philadelphia.

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
The Latino community has progressed through hard work and intelligence, proving their incredible power and resilience. The city and large companies will benefit from the power and strength of the Latino community and its diversity, so supporting Latino organizations, Latino community-led initiatives, diversifying their vendor list, and easing institutional financial support through banks and CDFI organizations will give the latino community the only thing they need: an equal opportunity.

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
I would take them around the Italian Market in South Philadelphia, which now have some of the most amazing tortillerías, taquerías, pastelerías, and a bilingual writing center. If it were May, we would visit Carnaval de Puebla, an amazingly colorful, and vibrant parade and festival at Washington Ave.

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
It is always easy to go to the woman who brought pride to our community because of her story, intelligence, and wisdom: Sonia Sotomayor. In Philadelphia, Kersy Azocar is the president and CEO of Greenline Access Capital (micro-lending). She is passionate about helping those who need the most, by ensuring their small businesses have the help they, and thus their communities, need to grow. Knowing her is knowing goodness, hard work, and grace.

Shannon Maldonado is the founder and creative director of YOWIE, a home and lifestyle shop, and upcoming boutique hotel and adjoining cafe. After over a decade of working in fashion design for brands like Ralph Lauren, URBN, American Eagle, and more, Shannon launched YOWIE in 2016 via a webshop and series of pop-up events. She sits on the board of Fleisher Art Memorial and is an incoming board member for the South Street Headhouse District.

Cristina Martinez is a chef native of Capulhuac, Mexico, and an immigration activist based in Philadelphia. Fleeing domestic violence, she came to the US and held many jobs in the industry, eventually losing her position due to her undocumented status. In 2015, she opened her own restaurant selling barbacoa which has earned her multiple awards, including the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, in 2022. She opened her second restaurant, Casa Mexico, in 2020. 

What makes the Philadelphia Latino community unique?
Our colors, the carnivals, and our religious gatherings and events. We celebrate our neighbor’s daughter quinceaños, but also gather when there’s a death in the community. We are united through our food and our diversity. 

What more do you think could be done to support the Latino community in Philadelphia?
I think we could have more events, programming, and educational activities at spaces like the Mexican Cultural Institute or the Taller Puertoriqueño. We need to have someone else to be like a bridge that connects the Latino community with funding opportunities, so that the Institute, Taller, and other spaces may have better resources and better opportunities to reach more of us. 

If you were taking someone on a tour of your neighborhood, what would be your first stop?
I would take them walking through the Italian Market, so I can show them the market that gathers so many different communities and kinds of people. 

Do you have any local Latino heroes you look up to?
Carmen Guerrero. Since I’ve met her, she’s always been an inspiration. She has helped so many people and her nickname “guerrera de hierro” is a great descriptor of who she is. 

Patricia Mota is an innovative trailblazer, startup entrepreneur, connector, public speaker, and compassionate leader with a particular strength that exemplifies the mission of the Hispanic Alliance of Career Enhancement to positively impact the American workplace by cultivating the pipeline of Latinx/a/os talent and providing insight, access and support to their careers. Patricia serves as the president and CEO for HACE, leading strategy, fundraising & development, leadership programs, and expanding organizational reach on a national scale.

Erika Guadalupe Núñez is a queer immigrant, artist, and cultural organizer currently serving as the Executive Director of JUNTOS. After emigrating from Mexico at a young age with her mother, Erika Guadalupe grew up sin papeles and eventually sin miedo which inspired her work as a community organizer for immigrant rights in both local and national campaigns since 2011. She believes that a world without cages is possible.