💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her/Ella

💫 I’m the

Founder & Host

💌 social media

Instagram @aalquiroz

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Alejandra Quiroz is a Honduran Filmmaker, Podcast Host, Photographer and a Multimedia Producer based in Los Angeles, California.

She earned her B.A in Cinema and Television Arts and Central American Studies from Cal State Northridge. She is the Host of the Central American Voices Podcast where she covers Central American experiences around the world. Recently, she opened her own production company, Our Lú Productions LLC which focuses on Film, Tv, and Commercials.

Her storytelling art focus on capturing the essence of Central American experiences in relation to migration, the global diaspora, and inclusion in media.

🌟 why i decided to start cavp

When I was growing up in LA, I noticed an absence of genuine representation for Central Americans, apart from the stereotypical news portrayals from our homeland. After graduating college, I wanted to create a space for Central Americans to share their stories because I firmly believe that the first step towards empowering our community is to take ownership of our narratives.

💗 3 current favorites

Camping, Car Karokee (reggeton and 90s romatica preferrebly) and cuddle with my orange cat!

💡 PRONOUNS

She/They

💫 i’m a

Twitter Manager

💌 social media

Instagram: @magnolia_garcia

Twitter: @urlocalmagnolia

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hi! I’m Magnolia! I’m a virgo, I’m 21, and I love reggaetón. Born and raised on Long Island to Guatemalan parents. I studied history and political science with a focus on Latin America and specifically Guatemala.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I volunteered because I want to do work for my community and build bigger connections throughout the diaspora and those in CentAm. Building these connections strengthens our community and its power<3

💗 3 current favorites

Soda Stereo, New York City, Documentaries

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her

💫 i’m an

Editor

💌 social media

Instagram: @mayag_23

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hello! My name is Maya and I currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I received a dual Bachelor of Arts in English and Puerto Rican and Latino Studies from Brooklyn College in 2020 and an advanced certificate in Labor Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center in 2021. In my spare time I enjoy hanging out with friends, reading, and crocheting.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I decided to volunteer for CAVP because there just isn’t enough visibility for Central Americans on a global level! I didn’t grow up around any Central Americans or Nicaraguans growing up and it can be a very isolating experience, so platforms like CAVP can really bridge that gap. Additionally, I conducted year long research projects on Central American women writers in the early 20th century when I was a college student, as Central American studies and histories are incredibly interesting to me!

💗 3 current favorites

My favorite animal is the penguin, my favorite place is Brooklyn, NY, and my favorite color is purple.

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her

💫 i’m a

Web Designer

💌 social media

Instagram: @cafeconrosquilla

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hi! I’m Marian and I’m from Nicaragua. I enjoy reading and everything art related. I’m also about to start university and majoring in Design.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

Latin & Central American voices are often overlooked and/or taken for granted. I love that this platform gives people a space to talk about things that matter and uplift voices.

💗 3 current favorites

Reading, watching movies and travel

💡 PRONOUNS

She/They

💫 i’m an

Associate Producer

💌 social media

Twitter: @4lexispaz

Instagram: @honeygrden

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hello everyone! My name is Bryanna (she/they), and I am an aspiring writer from Paramount, CA. I recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in English and Ethnic Studies. As an undergrad, I worked at my campus radio station where I fell in love with radio and podcasting. I am very excited to join the CAVP team and continue building a platform by and for Central Americans!

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I decided to volunteer for CAVP because I wanted to be part of a team of Central Americans producing stories for and about Central America. Often our stories are written by people outside of the community, resulting in media coverage that lacks nuance and respect. Alongside CAVP, I want to continue building a platform that gives Central Americans the opportunity to have important discussions with the care that we have long been denied.

💗 3 current favorites

Iced Coffee, Persuasive by Doechii, and poetry!

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her/Ella

💫 i’m a

Blog Writer

💌 social media

Instagram: @fatimamendza

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hi everyone, my name is Fatima. I'm a second year college student majoring in Education Sciences. In my spare time I like watching k-dramas, doing my make-up, and reading!

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

Being of Salvadoran descent, I've never felt fully represented in Latino/e/x media. I'm excited to work for CAVP because I'm passionate about increasing Central American visibility through storytelling.

💗 3 current favorites

Sopa de Res (my favorite Salvi comfort food), LOONA (artist), and cats (my favorite animal)

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her

💫 i’m an

Editor

💌 social media

Instagram: @dj_enamoured

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hi, my name is Jocelyn Monroy-Saavedra and I am a proud hija de imigrantes guatemaltecos as well as a native Los Angeleno. Currently, I am a College Counselor and love working in education. I am married with two fluffy cats of my own, Tuxedo and Marshmallow. I love good coffee spots and I consider myself to be a lifelong learner.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I decided to volunteer for CAVP because I have become more invested in learning about my parents' culture and history. I think it is important to take ownership where I can because I hope to teach my future kids about it.

💗 3 current favorites

Homemade hilachas, Bad Bunny, San Diego

💡 PRONOUNS

She/They

💫 i’m a

Graphic Designer

💌 social media

Instagram: @nveri_fineart

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Koi Múrio, Tui Taewai, S-ke:g Taṣ, I'm Erika aka Eri. I'm Nicaragüense-Mexican Indigenous from the Chorotega, Yaqui, and Tohono O'odham communities respectively. I'm a first-generation socialist living in this capitalism/imperialism called the US and live on my O'odham and Yaqui traditional lands in Tucson, Arizona. I'm an Illustrator + Printmaker and a recent graduate from the University of Arizona where I earned a BFA and BA in Illustration and Design, Latin American Studies, and American Indian Studies. If I'm not in academia or being an artist, I'm out being a mother 24/7. Kupa Katsai, Chiokoe Uttesia, S-ap'o!

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I decided to volunteer to not only take a chance on being a part of this, but to provide another perspective and knowledge on not just being Central American but that of the Mexican and Indigenous perspective as well, especially living away from a Central American community. I didn't get to grow up much with my Central American side especially living in a predominantly Mexican population (no hate to my Mexican culture and family), but after discovering the community and that of Zaria's Cent-Am Beauty page, I wanted to be involved in any way to show that Central Americans exist everywhere and some of us weren't fortunate to grow up with the culture. Nevertheless, we are all Central American but we each have our own unique experiences! As an artist, I want to use my skills to not only expand on what I am capable of doing but to amplify and visually capture our voices not just at CAVP but to our Central American community as well.

💗 3 current favorites

My favorites are iced coffee, ethnic foods, and films. I have way more favorites of everything so 3 isn't enough!

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her

💫 i’m a

Fundraiser Organizer

💌 social media

Instagram - @sammiibbearr

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Hello everyone! My name is Samantha Schmidt and I am the new Fundraiser Volunteer for Central American Voices. I am a 21-year-old Central American, specifically Guatemalan, living in the Southbay of Los Angeles, Lawndale, California. Currently, I am studying Social Welfare at UC Berkeley in hopes of becoming a nurse practitioner or a public health nurse after growing up with a massive interest in mental health. My dad is from Guatemala and comes from the state of Quetzaltenango, known for its cold weather and famous volcano Santa Maria.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

As someone who grew up surrounded by Mexican culture, I decided to join Central American Voices to find a sense of belonging. Even though I love my peers and their culture, I felt out of place knowing I knew nothing about Guatemala or Central America at large. Thus, being a member of Central American Voices allows me to work with my community while learning more about the current diaspora, and sharing this knowledge with other Central Americans for the same purpose.

💗 3 current favorites

Among my top three facts are that: I'm a fan of Summer Walker and Jhene Aiko, my favorite Guatemalan food are Garnachas, and my favorite (and only) hobby is photography.

💡 PRONOUNS

He/Him

💫 i’m a

Researcher

💌 social media

Instagram: @ jorgea.paz

Twitter: @JorgeAPReyes

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Holaa :D My name is Jorge Paz Reyes and I'm from San Pedro Sula, Honduras and NYC. I'm super excited to be part of CAVP and be able to bring you all kinds of content that highlights the Central American experience!

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I decided to volunteer for CAVP because I want to create/be part of greater community of Central American in the US. I also think the CAVP has done a really good job at representing the CA diaspora in the US so it's an honor that I can be part of it.

💗 3 current favorites

Food, Sleep, and Read

💡 PRONOUNS

She/Her

💫 i’m an

Video Editor & Youtube Volunteer

💌 social media

Instagram: @almita_interiano

👋 INTRODUCTION / BIOGRAPHY

Alma is a Honduran immigrant living in the Metro Atlanta area. She aims to leverage her passion and knowledge of editing videos and creating motion graphics. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Film Production​​​​​​​ from Clayton State University and has ongoing training from the Georgia Film Academy.

🌟 why i decided to volunteer for cavp

I've seen the rise of representation of Central American in TV, film, and media. From America Ferrera's character on Superstore being a Honduran character to Pero Like adding a Salvi and Nicaraguan to its team. Central American Voices Podcast has an important place in it with sharing stories about peoples' lives and major topics. I want to be a part of this movement as I gain more experience for my resume.

💗 3 current favorites

Top 3 Artists: The Warning; MOD SUN; Tyler Posey