Interview

Primary- Ms. Roxanne (Lead Facilitator)

Who is the founder of Latinitas? Alicia Rascon (Vice Chair), Laura Donnelly, and U.T Professor Federico Subervi (Board Chair)

What are your main goals for the members of Latinitas? "To empower young Hispanic girls through media and technology. To give them a voice."

What do you hope to accomplish? "I want to get them aware of the media so that they can accumulate a good résumé to prepare them for the future. We offer opportunities to involve girls in the publication process to develop their own press."

When and Where do Latinitas meet? Every Monday in Room 213 from 4:16-6:16 for the entire year.

Why is this organization exclusively for Latin girls? Why is it not available to everyone? "Hispanic girls really lack positive media attention and that should change."
"According to the National Health Institute, they are placed at the highest risk amongst their African American, Asian, Caucasian, Native American and Pacific Islander peers for a vulnerability to teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, health issues such as obesity and a drop in grades and confidence on the cusp of entering high school."

How has this organization helped in the past? “Latinitas helps the girls open up on personal problems such as: abuse, low self-esteem, relationships, etc. We focus on helping them prepare for college and their future careers. We want to get the best out of them so that they can realize there are many possibilities out there for them."

In the flyer, I read that Latinitas publish their own magazines, what all goes in there?
" We offer advice columns that members of Latinitas answer themselves, tips, music and movie reviews,photography, opinions, all the fun stuff."

Is this program available at another district? "Right now, Latinitas is only in the A.I.S.D. It is, however, offered in many schools throughout Austin and soon will be taught in Round Rock.

Primary- Alicia Rascon (founder)

1. Why is this program exclusively for Latin girls?We started Latinitas because we felt Latina voices were missing from teen magazines. We welcome girls from all backgrounds in our group. However, our primary focus is on Latina girls because they are an underrepresented group in media. Despite the fact that Hispanics are the largest minority group in the country and the fasting growing population, Latino stories are not frequently covered. The stories you do read usually focus on negative issues. Latinas are also underrepresented in the media industry. Latinitas focuses on training the next generation of Latina media makers by offering a bilingual webzine by and for Hispanic girls and by hosting an after-school program where girls will learn about journalism writing, digital photography, web design, blogging, desktop publishing, radio production and film-making.
2. What has Latinitas accomplished in the past?As an organization, Latinitas has grown tremendously over the last five years. It started as a class project in college and we stayed dedicated to our vision. We launched a student club at UT Austin, grew to a volunteer-driven grassroots group, and we are now a non-profit organization with professional staff. Our webzine is published monthly and reaches more than 100,000 readers a year. We've expanded our mission from publishing a magazine for Hispanic girls to serving as a forum for Latina girls to express themselves. We've published the writing, photography and artwork of hundreds of girls. We are also training the next generation of Latina media makers by hosting media enrichment after-school clubs, workshops, conferences, presentations and teen internships where Latina girls can express their views. The girls in our program have achieved remarkable accomplishments. In the past, club participants have been published and featured in the Austin American-Statesman, Austin Chronicle, Ahora Si, KOOP, METV and several other local media outlets. Our teen reporters have interviewed high profile Latinos like author Julia Alvarez and musicians Los Lonely Boys. We've had several teen members graduate from high school, earn college scholarships and enroll in a university. We recently had a member receive the YWCA Woman of the Year award. We've also seen some of our graduates move on to work in the media industry.
3. What led you to create a program for Latin youth?We started Latinitas to fill a media void. Growing up I thought something was missing from my favorite teen magazines. Those glossy magazinesdidn't reflect my life, family, culture or community. When reading magazines, I remember thinking I didn't look like anyone in them and wondering 'where are girls like me and my friends in the media?'. As a teen, I never saw Latinas on the cover and the covergirls looked very fake to me. My motivation behind Latinitas was to reflect my bicultural and bilingual experience. Until we launched, Hispanic girls didn't have a webzine to call their own. We were the first digital magazine for Hispanic girls. Despite the growth of Latinos in numbers, the media available to this growing population haven't always kept up, especially for younger Latinas. Media representations of Latinas is getting better, but it still isn't where it should be. We are changing that.
4. Is Latinitas offered anywhere else besides the A.I.S.D District?Latinitas offers after-school programs in AISD and Rock Rock ISD. We also host workshops and presentations throughout Central Texas in areas such as San Marcos, Elgin, and Pflugerville. We've even been invited to make a presentation out of the state in places like Boston. Through our webzine, we attract readers from across the country and abroad. We frequently have visitors from Latin America and we've received feedback from girls as far away as Australia.
5. What kind of material goes into the Webzine?
We carry a message of empowerment for Latina girls. Our goals are to offer helpful information, address Latina youth issues, feature inspiring Latinas, showcase Hispanic culture and history and spotlight Latin entertainment. We are interested in more than how to get a boyfriend and where to find an expensive outfit. Our stories reflect the issues, culture, experience and voice of Latina youth. In the magazine, you'll find articles about teen issues, relationships, advice, college, music, movies, health, beauty, and quinces. There are a lot of important issues facing Latina girls today, and we are very happy to give them a resource with a positive message. 6. Any word of advice to the young Latino youth?
Believe in yourself, stay true to who you are and follow your passion to reach your dreams. Don’t
ever stop pursuing your goals and always keep learning.

Alicia RasconFounder & CEOLatinitas, Inc.