![]() Like I wasn’t enough of one thing to satisfy people’s ideas of what I should be. Growing up, I struggled at times because it felt like I wasn’t fully accepted by any of the cultures that make up who I am. and have lived in Los Angeles my whole life. My family is mixed, Mexican, Japanese and American. Can you talk about your journey as a Mexican American creator forging your path forward? You’ve carved out a lane all your own through modeling and content creation. As a chef, I’m a catalyst in introducing my culture and food to thousands of people who dine at my eateries. I represent fully because my life has come full circle. I’m Afro-Latino which my African lineage. I’ve realized I’m not just Latino/Hispanic. It’s a way for me to represent my Afro-Latin culture. the show made me want to focus on Pan African cuisine that represents the whole African diaspora. I had the honor of being on Top Chef in 2021. I researched the lineage and the way the food traveled throughout the years. It made me curious to learn more as I realized the food I grew up with was identical to food from the diaspora, especially in West Africa. The rich Black history of grassroots activism, pride for Black culture, and most importantly the appreciation for the whole African diaspora. I give props to Oakland for the man I am today. Throughout the years I became more intrigued with learning about myself and how far my roots go. It wasn’t until I moved to the Bay Area and finally opened my own restaurant that there was this inkling of “let me give a tribute to my past and my culture.” I did that by adding my Braised Oxtail dish and plantains to my menu as a tribute to my mom and my roots. When I got into the industry it was the same deal where I would pay respect to other cultures instead of. Nothing about our roots being tied to Africa. a lack of history being passed down from our elders. I would identify as American by speaking English outside of my home and brushing my hair a certain way. Growing up all I knew that I was Dominican, and being first-generation, we wanted to be American first. Can you talk a little bit about your heritage and how it has influenced your work as a chef, and the creation of Your restaurant, alaMar, and cocktail lounge, Sobre Mesa? You proudly sit at the intersection of many identities including Afro-Latin, Afro-Caribbean and Dominican American. Levi’s® will also be making $10,000 donations to United We Dream and Hispanic Star, two organizations at the forefront of uplifting and advocating for Hispanic communities. They each customized a Trucker Jacket or pair of 501® jeans in partnership with Levi’s® tailors that referenced everything from Chicano art to Afro-Latino iconography in their creative process. This Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re showcasing six of those voices who proudly represent their Hispanic heritage while pushing the culture forward. When honoring Hispanic heritage, you can’t do so without acknowledging that it is a rich tapestry made up of traditions and histories that are being reimagined through the creative lenses of individuals who are bridging the gap between the past, present and future. That inheritance is a crucial part of a person’s backstory, especially in a place like the United States that is undoubtedly made better by its diverse cultures and perspectives. Heritage is defined as one’s inheritance - what gets passed down from generation to generation.
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