How many of us have been one bad choice away from going down the wrong path? Growing up Salvi in the US has its risks and challenges. In this political climate, we often feel alone and unwanted. It’s not always pretty, but this is our home. So let’s seek support from friends and family as we all try to understand these days.
It’s another hot and humid afternoon in El Pulgarcito, and a lone man looks through yellowed papers in a dark, muggy archive room. Exasperated he pushes back his chair and looks up. He knows the stories he’s looking for aren’t written down yet. Grab your grandma, a notebook, and get ready to create memoria historica with Andree Pena.
Wearing a tuxedo at a gala, rowing across the Long Island sound . . . no, I’m not talking about James Bond. Ulises dedicates his energy and passion to serving others whether he’s doing work for adults with intellectual disabilities or children in El Salvador. In this episode, strap on some cleats and score some goals with Ulises Cartagena.
Todo buen cuento necesita alguien quien lo cuente. Carmen se ha dedicado a descubrir las historias de inmigrantes Salvadoreños en Nueva York de los últimos 90 años. Y está a punto de publicar su libro: Salvi Yorkers. Así que agarren sus libretitas de periodista, su curiosidad y prepárense para contar nuestras historias con Carmen Molina-Tamacas.
Bolados, chunches, y otras babosadas. As our mothers would say, ustedes solo son inventos. When Norma didn’t find ways to represent her pride, she decided to create them. She became an entrepreneur and launched an online store to sell Salvadoran themed pins, socks, and apparel. Pull on those pupusas sock, put on those boss pants and get ready to start a small business with Norma Rivas.
While most of us struggle to get out of bed, Carlos soars and flips through the air straight onto the podium with gold medals and championships. A 14 year old gymnast that only started three years ago shows us what can be accomplished with talent, courage, and a wonderfully supportive mother. So wear that Salvi flag as a cape, get a running start, and stick the landing with Carlos and his mother Erica.
Sometimes you need a fire to clear away the brush so new plants can grow. This cipota didn’t let a medical crisis slow her down. Going from dance teacher to vegan chef, Norma reinvented herself and Salvadoran cuisine. Settle in, grab some quesadillas, atol de calabaza, and explore the vegan lifestyle with Norma Perez!
“Cuantas va querer mi amor? Ya le van a salir.” These and other similar phrases may have been uttered by Randy, a pupusero that sought to put pupusas on the map in Manhattan’s lower east side with his restaurant Cabalito. Put on your delanal, grab a bit of masa and get ready to echar pupusas with Randy Rodriguez and his wife Allison Sebastiani in this episode.
Ah, yes, the starving artists. Earning pennies drawing portraits of tourists in Times Square. But wait, if you believe in that myth, you might as well believe in the Chupa Cabra. Natalie says that as long as we live in a visual world, there will be jobs for artists. In this episode, grab some art supplies, connect with your indigenous roots, and get ready to create with Natalie Lazo.
The bass is booming, the crowd is dancing, and drinks are flowing as you sit high on your throne spinning those turntables. But being a DJ is not all about parties. Raul finds ways to inspire others and give back to aspiring artists in Central America. In this episode, keep the crowd and our people going, drop that beat with DJ Loup Rouge.