Pittsburgh Latin@

Cafe Con Leche connects the Pittsburgh Latino community, promotes Latino culture in Pittsburgh and creates space for dialogie and creative problem solving. 

[cafeconlechepgh]

Recently, a delegation from Pittsburgh attended PolicyLink's Equity 2015 Summit. I am writing a series of blogs to highlight recurring themes I observed and share the best practice strategies I learned. These blogs reflections of my own experience during a three day national conference. My first blog post on the PolicyLink Equity Summit 2015 focused on people because without people you do not have community. This second blog focuses on various social factors and strategies. A big theme throughout the sessions was "now is the time". As a country we at a point in time where the momentum is bringing together people from all walks of life around common interests, to build the movement of movements. This movement of movements is going to dismantle systems of oppression and create equity for community that have been marginalized for long enough. It is clear that the power is with the people - leaders at the local level are informing the movement on a national level. It is incredibly inspiring and beyond beautiful to be a part of. 1. Place Matters. But Place Changes. Where you live dictates how well you live. However "improving" a neighborhood can price out long-time residents. Equitable communities build healthy individuals - equitable communities do not become unlivable for them. PolicyLink has a great report outlining the importance of place which you can see by clicking here. 2. Collaboration. The movement of movements brings together marginalized populations who are in the struggle against a common oppressor. Our liberation is intertwined. We must have each other's backs since we cannot all be in the same spaces at once. The fight is the same but the movement will only move as quickly as trust is built. For examples of what cross-movement collaboration can look like, check out The Justice League in New York by clicking here and the Organization for Black Struggle by clicking here. 3. Intentionality. Be intentional about how you approach solutions. Be honest about the issue you are addressing. Use language and outreach strategies that are appealing and relevant to those who are affected. Data-based strategies are the best ways to address inequities. When engaging the public ask yourself - how are people being received and cared for in the spaces you are creating for engagement? Providing childcare, food and transportation not only helps to get people to a community meeting but it also signals that people are valued and their needs are understood. 4. Language - Language is not just about which language you speak - whether you speak English, Spanish, Portuguese or Mandarin - it is the actual words that are used. It is the difference between saying "I care about safe streets" and "I care about gun violence". Historically, in marginalized communities words such as "planning" or "development" are equated to changing the neighborhood and pricing long-time residents out. If the intention of a community process is to strengthen and elevate the existing community, then it is important to use language that resonates with neighbors. Otherwise, planning efforts encounter resistance. 5. Local Leadership - The leadership exists. Invest in it. Community members are already engaged in conversations on a daily basis about the changes they want to see and the vision they have for their neighborhoods. If we asks residents to share their knowledge and time there should be some type of or support compensation for those who are leading the effort. 6. The Arts - At the Equity Summit the arts were front and center. Each day was kicked off by live performances, dance, poetry, song and comedy. Many of the sessions I attended began with spoken word. This was incredibly moving and I was often brought to tears by these performances - I was inspired. The arts gives us a unique opportunity to communicate complicated emotions and concepts in a way that everyone can relate. They are an integral part to ensuring our communities are not only healthy but that they tell the story of who we are. The PolicyLink website contains a wealth of more information for further research.

[cafeconlechepgh]

This week, Cafe Con Leche's Creative Planning Strategist, Marissa Rayes, writes about her first time Salsa dancing at Los Sabrosos in Garfield. It’s Saturday night and you are wondering what to do - there are always the options of going to dinner, seeing a movie, maybe even bowling, but have you ever considered salsa dancing? For just $7 dollars you can dance the night away at Los Sabrosos, a dance company located at 4909 Penn Ave in Garfield. They offer high quality dance classes in Belly Dancing, all levels of Salsa and Bachata, Ballroom, Hip-hop, Zumba. Every Saturday night Los Sabrosos opens it's doors and hosts Salsa Nights from 10pm - 2am. I had the pleasure of attending a Salsa Night on Saturday, November 7th. The owner of the dance company, Nicolette Pawlowski, greeted me. The atmosphere was a very friendly and I instantly felt welcomed the moment I entered the building. The space where Salsa Night is hosted is very intimate. One part of the room was dedicated to dancing and the other half was dedicated to tables where the guests could take a break from dancing. The lighting and music contributed to the atmosphere of the night. Salsa Night was so lively that you could hear the music and see the lights a block away from the building. This reinforced the inviting atmosphere. When I first arrived, I sat at one of the tables to take in the scene. As the music started everyone went on the dance floor with their partners, they all looked like seasoned professionals. I was so impressed with their dancing and even more impressed with their passion for the dance. As I watched the dancers, I observed that it looked more than just dance, it looked like an art form. I was very inspired by all of them, inspired to the point where I accepted the offer from the instructor and Co-Director, Agustin Garcia, to dance. Let’s just say I have two left feet. I was very awful at Salsa. Thankfully Agustin was very patient with my lack of rhythm and skills. He even taught me step by step how to dance to Salsa music. After a while I was getting the hang of it, even to the point I accepted to dance with two other gentlemen! I sat down and got to ask Nicolette a few questions about her business. I was curious as to how they market their business and salsa nights. “We market through students, social media, newsletters, and a website called Salsa Pittsburgh (where you can find enough Salsa dancing to dance for 7 days a week), Nicolette told me. Their marketing efforts have proved to be successful in drawing in new attendees. “Normally we have 60-100 guests come to Salsa Night between the times of 11:30p.m. – 2a.m.” Los Sabrosos also markets their Salsa Nights by hosting themed nights. Nicolette indicated that this also brings in a lot of people. I think my favorite part about my experience at Los Sabrosos was how everyone knew each other. It felt like they were a family who comes together to celebrate Salsa as an art form. They are welcoming of new people and that is truly what makes a great business. I hope to go back to Los Sabrosos for one of their themed nights and I am also considering taking dance lessons. I want to be able to share that same passion and talent for Salsa dancing. I highly recommend that the next time you are looking for something to do on a Saturday night you choose Los Sabrosos! For more information about Los Sabrosos you can check out their website by clicking here.

[cafeconlechepgh]

#Equity2015 Part I

In this new Pittsburgh, we hear a lot about the importance of diversity. Diversity is important because it breeds innovation and opens new markets. Less frequently, but still spoken about is inclusion. Inclusion is important because without inclusion, diversity is a passive action that does not engage people in the decision-making process. And then there is equity. Equity is ensuring that whatever economic gains there are, people on all levels are benefitting. Equity is so important that it even has it's own manifesto, click here to read it. 

Recently, a delegation from Pittsburgh attended PolicyLink's Equity 2015 Summit.  This summit brought together a cross section of community leaders, policy wonks, government officials and researchers from across the country who have been working on building equity in their own communities. It was an amazing chance to see what is working in other places. I am writing a series of blogs to highlight recurring themes I observed and share the best practice strategies I learned. These blogs are not expert pieces, but rather reflections of my own experience during a three day national conference. The PolicyLink website contains a wealth of more information for further research. 

This first blog post will focus on people. I am starting with the people part of the equation because without people, we do not have community. Often we devalue and leave out individuals and groups based on historical bias, poor data collection, greed and straight up racism. To address that, we must be intentional in calling out those who have lived on the margins and centralizing their lived experiences as it relates to economic gain. 

The New America. The United States is undergoing the largest demographic shift of its history. By the year 2043, we will be a "majority minority" country. This means we will be a population largely made up of people who are Black, Latino and Asian (note: Asia the continent, not one culture). Addressing structural racism is imperative to ensuring that all Americans are able to live well. Pittsburgh in particular must not only address equity, but must catch up with the rest of the country with regards to population demographics. It remains one of the whitest metropolitan areas in the country, which is problematic for population growth. It impacts the tax base and ability of the region to remain competitive in an increasingly global world. Learn more about America's demographic shift by clicking here. 

Youth of Color. As American population demographics change, our youth are largely Black, Latino and Asian. This is America's future workforce. To ensure a productive and competitive American workforce in the future, we must invest in their education and well-being now. 

Women. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends - women are the gatekeepers of society. The mental, physical and emotional health of women impacts families, their ability to parent and general contribution to society. Educating women, ensuring access to quality jobs, affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare and quality childcare provides a stable foundation for future generations. 

Black Women. Faced with some of the largest health and economic disparities in our society, Black women hold an incredible amount of power and grace. They are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs and are the most active, consistent and progressive segment of the Rising American Electorate or New American Majority. If Pittsburgh is going to be an economically successful region, then it must be a place where Black women and their families are able to thrive.

#LGBTQ4Equity. These are not just letters; they are people. When we think about access, affordability and equity - gender, identity and sexual orientation cannot be taken out of the equation. Policies that are meant to be inclusive and do not consider how they impact these aspects of people identities are not inclusive. This goes beyond employment policies and extends to affordable housing, access to healthcare, quality jobs, freedom from violence and other social support systems. 

Native & Indigenous Communities. Inequity, as it exists in the United States, began with the destruction of the Native and indigenous communities that existed here prior to European invasion. The disparities are deadly. Yet, we are not often engaged in a conversation around equitable development as it relates to Native and Indigenous people. One of the speakers on a plenary was Nick Tilsen, the founding Executive Director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He spoke of the importance of focusing on youth and supporting #BlackLivesMatter as it is dismantling structural oppression. Tilsen was incredibly moving. And he reminds us of how large the equity pie has to be. To learn about the work being done by the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation click here.

My subsequent blog posts will focus on strategies and movements that are pushing the equity agenda nationwide. You can also find additional blogs about the Equity Summit by clicking here. 

[cafeconlechepgh]

#Equity2015 Part I

In this new Pittsburgh, we hear a lot about the importance of diversity. Diversity is important because it breeds innovation and opens new markets. Less frequently, but still spoken about is inclusion. Inclusion is important because without inclusion, diversity is a passive action that does not engage people in the decision-making process. And then there is equity. Equity is ensuring that whatever economic gains there are, people on all levels are benefitting. Equity is so important that it even has it's own manifesto, click here to read it. 

Recently, a delegation from Pittsburgh attended PolicyLink's Equity 2015 Summit.  This summit brought together a cross section of community leaders, policy wonks, government officials and researchers from across the country who have been working on building equity in their own communities. It was an amazing chance to see what is working in other places. I am writing a series of blogs to highlight recurring themes I observed and share the best practice strategies I learned. These blogs are not expert pieces, but rather reflections of my own experience during a three day national conference. The PolicyLink website contains a wealth of more information for further research. 

This first blog post will focus on people. I am starting with the people part of the equation because without people, we do not have community. Often we devalue and leave out individuals and groups based on historical bias, poor data collection, greed and straight up racism. To address that, we must be intentional in calling out those who have lived on the margins and centralizing their lived experiences as it relates to economic gain. 

The New America. The United States is undergoing the largest demographic shift of its history. By the year 2043, we will be a "majority minority" country. This means we will be a population largely made up of people who are Black, Latino and Asian (note: Asia the continent, not one culture). Addressing structural racism is imperative to ensuring that all Americans are able to live well. Pittsburgh in particular must not only address equity, but must catch up with the rest of the country with regards to population demographics. It remains one of the whitest metropolitan areas in the country, which is problematic for population growth. It impacts the tax base and ability of the region to remain competitive in an increasingly global world. Learn more about America's demographic shift by clicking here. 

Youth of Color. As American population demographics change, our youth are largely Black, Latino and Asian. This is America's future workforce. To ensure a productive and competitive American workforce in the future, we must invest in their education and well-being now. 

Women. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends - women are the gatekeepers of society. The mental, physical and emotional health of women impacts families, their ability to parent and general contribution to society. Educating women, ensuring access to quality jobs, affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare and quality childcare provides a stable foundation for future generations. 

Black Women. Faced with some of the largest health and economic disparities in our society, Black women hold an incredible amount of power and grace. They are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs and are the most active, consistent and progressive segment of the Rising American Electorate or New American Majority. If Pittsburgh is going to be an economically successful region, then it must be a place where Black women and their families are able to thrive.

#LGBTQ4Equity. These are not just letters; they are people. When we think about access, affordability and equity - gender, identity and sexual orientation cannot be taken out of the equation. Policies that are meant to be inclusive and do not consider how they impact these aspects of people identities are not inclusive. This goes beyond employment policies and extends to affordable housing, access to healthcare, quality jobs, freedom from violence and other social support systems. 

Native & Indigenous Communities. Inequity, as it exists in the United States, began with the destruction of the Native and indigenous communities that existed here prior to European invasion. The disparities are deadly. Yet, we are not often engaged in a conversation around equitable development as it relates to Native and Indigenous people. One of the speakers on a plenary was Nick Tilsen, the founding Executive Director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He spoke of the importance of focusing on youth and supporting #BlackLivesMatter as it is dismantling structural oppression. Tilsen was incredibly moving. And he reminds us of how large the equity pie has to be. To learn about the work being done by the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation click here.

My subsequent blog posts will focus on strategies and movements that are pushing the equity agenda nationwide. You can also find additional blogs about the Equity Summit by clicking here. 

[cafeconlechepgh]

Recently, a delegation from Pittsburgh attended PolicyLink's Equity 2015 Summit. This summit brought together a cross section of community leaders, policy wonks, government officials and researchers from across the country who have been working on building equity in their own communities. It was an amazing chance to see what is working in other places. I am writing a series of blogs to highlight recurring themes I observed and share the best practice strategies I learned about.

[cafeconlechepgh]

#Equity2015 Part I

In this new Pittsburgh, we hear a lot about the importance of diversity. Diversity is important because it breeds innovation and opens new markets. Less frequently, but still spoken about is inclusion. Inclusion is important because without inclusion, diversity is a passive action that does not engage people in the decision-making process. And then there is equity. Equity is ensuring that whatever economic gains there are, people on all levels are benefitting. Equity is so important that it even has it's own manifesto, click here to read it. 

Recently, a delegation from Pittsburgh attended PolicyLink's Equity 2015 Summit.  This summit brought together a cross section of community leaders, policy wonks, government officials and researchers from across the country who have been working on building equity in their own communities. It was an amazing chance to see what is working in other places. I am writing a series of blogs to highlight recurring themes I observed and share the best practice strategies I learned. These blogs are not expert pieces, but rather reflections of my own experience during a three day national conference. The PolicyLink website contains a wealth of more information for further research. 

This first blog post will focus on people. I am starting with the people part of the equation because without people, we do not have community. Often we devalue and leave out individuals and groups based on historical bias, poor data collection, greed and straight up racism. To address that, we must be intentional in calling out those who have lived on the margins and centralizing their lived experiences as it relates to economic gain. 

The New America. The United States is undergoing the largest demographic shift of its history. By the year 2043, we will be a "majority minority" country. This means we will be a population largely made up of people who are Black, Latino and Asian (note: Asia the continent, not one culture). Addressing structural racism is imperative to ensuring that all Americans are able to live well. Pittsburgh in particular must not only address equity, but must catch up with the rest of the country with regards to population demographics. It remains one of the whitest metropolitan areas in the country, which is problematic for population growth. It impacts the tax base and ability of the region to remain competitive in an increasingly global world. Learn more about America's demographic shift by clicking here. 

Youth of Color. As American population demographics change, our youth are largely Black, Latino and Asian. This is America's future workforce. To ensure a productive and competitive American workforce in the future, we must invest in their education and well-being now. 

Women. Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and friends - women are the gatekeepers of society. The mental, physical and emotional health of women impacts families, their ability to parent and general contribution to society. Educating women, ensuring access to quality jobs, affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare and quality childcare provides a stable foundation for future generations. 

Black Women. Faced with some of the largest health and economic disparities in our society, Black women hold an incredible amount of power and grace. They are the fastest growing segment of entrepreneurs and are the most active, consistent and progressive segment of the Rising American Electorate or New American Majority. If Pittsburgh is going to be an economically successful region, then it must be a place where Black women and their families are able to thrive.

#LGBTQ4Equity. These are not just letters; they are people. When we think about access, affordability and equity - gender, identity and sexual orientation cannot be taken out of the equation. Policies that are meant to be inclusive and do not consider how they impact these aspects of people identities are not inclusive. This goes beyond employment policies and extends to affordable housing, access to healthcare, quality jobs, freedom from violence and other social support systems. 

Native & Indigenous Communities. Inequity, as it exists in the United States, began with the destruction of the Native and indigenous communities that existed here prior to European invasion. The disparities are deadly. Yet, we are not often engaged in a conversation around equitable development as it relates to Native and Indigenous people. One of the speakers on a plenary was Nick Tilsen, the founding Executive director of the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He spoke of the importance of focusing on youth and supporting #BlackLivesMatter as it is dismantling structural oppression. Tilsen was incredibly moving. And he reminds us of how large the equity pie has to be. To learn about the work being done by the Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation click here.

My subsequent blog posts will focus on strategies and movements that are pushing the equity agenda nationwide. You can also find additional blogs about the Equity Summit by clicking here. 

[cafeconlechepgh]

A few Sundays ago the Drinking Partners, Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, invited me up to the Black Forge Coffee House in Allentown. In honor of this special occasion, I made one of the most delicious holiday drinks to have ever come out of Puerto Rico: COQUITO. Trading conversation for coquito proved to be a successful afternoon, to listen to the whole podcast you can click here. Say it with me: "co-key-toe". Coquito is coconut milk and rum beverage made almost exclusively during the holiday season (which for Puerto Ricans lasts until Three Kings Day on January 6th). The holiday cocktail is similar to egg nog, but made with coconut milk and rum. Visit any Puerto Rican during the holiday season and you can usually spot a bottle of Coquito in someone's fridge. It's probably the creamy looking deliciousness poured into in an old rum bottle (pictured to the right). Puerto Ricans love Coquito so much, there's even a song about it. It's easy to make! Ingredients: * 1 cup Coconut milk (I used Silk Coconut milk) * Two 12 oz cans of evaporated milk * 1 can of crema de coco (coconut cream * 1/2 cup of leche condensada * 1 tablespoon vanilla * 1-1 1/2 cups white rum (Don Q preferred!) * 1 teaspoon of nutmeg (to taste) * 1 teaspoon cinnamon * 1 cinnamon stick Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for 2-3 minutes. Pour into a glass container and put into the fridge to chill. Serve in a fancy glass with a cinnamon stick as garnish. Enjoy!

[cafeconlechepgh]

I'm in love with #Coquito

A few Sundays ago the Drinking Partners, Ed Bailey and Day Bracey, invited me up to the Black Forge Coffee House in Allentown. In honor of this special occasion, I made one of the most delicious holiday drinks to have ever come out of Puerto Rico: COQUITO. Trading conversation for coquito proved to be a successful afternoon, to listen to the whole podcast you can click here.

Say it with me: "co-key-toe".  

Coquito is coconut milk and rum beverage made almost exclusively during the holiday season (which for Puerto Ricans lasts until Three Kings Day on January 6th). The holiday cocktail is similar to egg nog, but made with coconut milk and rum. Visit any Puerto Rican during the holiday season and you can usually spot a bottle of Coquito in someone's fridge. It's probably the creamy looking deliciousness poured into in an old rum bottle (pictured to the right). 

Puerto Ricans love Coquito so much, there's even a song about it.

It's easy to make! 

Ingredients:

1 cup Coconut milk (I used Silk Coconut milk)

Two 12 oz cans of evaporated milk

1 can of crema de coco (coconut cream 

1/2 cup of leche condensada

1 tablespoon vanilla

1-1 1/2 cups white rum (Don Q preferred!)

1 teaspoon of nutmeg (to taste)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cinnamon stick

Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend for 2-3 minutes. Pour into a glass container and put into the fridge to chill. Serve in a fancy glass with a cinnamon stick as garnish. Enjoy!

[cafeconlechepgh]

Cafe Con Leche connects Latinos and builds community. We are a social innovator that provides consulting services, plans events and produces Latino media.

[sweetoothgirl]

S'MORES CUSTARD CAKE

[cafeconlechepgh]

Cafe Con Leche breaks down a recipe to make a Latino Pittsburgh salad with Yucca fries, tomatoes and avocado. Yum!

[cafeconlechepgh]

INTERN WITH CAFE CON LECHE! Do you have a passion for Latin culture? Are you interested in having fun, learning about social media, marketing, event planning and be a part of one of Pittsburgh's most dynamic small business? Than an internship with Cafe Con Leche may be the place for you! Café Con Leche connects Latinos and builds community. We are a value based business whose mission is to attract and maintain Latinos to the Pittsburgh region. Cafe Con Leche provides consulting services, hosts events and produce Pittsburgh based Latino digital media. Since its founding in January 2014, Café Con Leche has hosted nearly 20 Latin-thYou can see our work by visiting our website, www.CafeConLechePGH.com. Internship Description Cafe Con Leche is planning our 2016 events season and we are looking for interns! The ideal candidates are interested in media, marketing and events. Experience with Latino culture, knowledge of Latino demographics and basic language skills in Spanish or Portuguese are a plus. Areas of Skill & Experience: * Social Media savvy * Editing/writing experience * Customer service/sales * Graphic design * Brand development * Digital media Areas of Work: * Weekly blog * Social media & marketing * Event planning support * Volunteer management * Community outreach * Administrative support as needed Outcomes: * Increase social media presence using Twitter chats, increasing YouTube subscriptions & other tactics * Weekly Café Con Leche blog that covers current events in Pittsburgh * Oversee 2016 “Best of Latinoburgh” & FUERZA lists * Event planning support. promotion & marketing * Manage volunteers * Identify Latino serving organizations, businesses & resources for website * Research potential for website ads for Café Con Leche website * Attend events and meetings representing Cafe Con Leche This internship position is 10-20 hours a week, may require some evening and weekends. Intern must be available for a minimum of three Café Con Leche events. Position is unpaid, but will come with fun perks, professional development and career networking opportunities. Duration of Internship: Fall 2015-Spring 2016. To apply for this position please send a cover letter and resume to Tara Sherry-Torres, [email protected]. Positions opened until filled.

[stephanbroadus]

Aguilera connects with roots on Ecuador hunger relief trip

Aguilera connects with roots on Ecuador hunger relief trip

FILE – In this April 23, 2015 file photo, Christina Aguilera arrives at Season 8 of “The Voice” Red Carpet Event in West Hollywood, Calif.  (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)

NEW YORK (AP) _ Christina Aguilera has visited Haiti, Rwanda and Guatemala on relief effort trips, but last week in Ecuador she not only offered support to struggling and hungry children _ she also connected with…

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[cafeconlechepgh]

RSVP Here: https://www.showclix.com/event/taller-latino

[boriquachickschicity]

Click here -> http://www.boriquachicks.com/2015/09/25/latinegras-founder-omilani-to-participate-in-ladyfest-miami/

[yumi-food]

Absolutely Epic Chocolate Chunk Cookies | Ambitious Kitchen

[angrylatinxsunited]

PBS to Premiere 'America After Charleston' on Monday, September 21 | Press | PBS NewsHour

PBS to Premiere America After Charleston on Monday, Sept 21. A special production to be moderated by Gwen Ifill.