comprende 030: Latino Founders in PepsiCo. program, Stand-Up Queens, and a Supreme Court First

BIENVENIDO.

¡Saludos! Happy Friday and welcome to the 30th edition of Comprende (Formerly the Minority Majority newsletter).

This week, we spotlight PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition, celebrating 8 innovative Latino-owned food and beverage businesses. We also feature 4 Latina comedians who are taking the American stage by storm with their fearless humor. Lastly, we delve into the inspiring journey of Luis Cortes Romero, the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court.

p.s. let us know what you think of the new format and look with a reply. 🙏 

So, grab your afternoon cafecito, settle in, and if you enjoy, please forward the newsletter to friends or share it on social media! ☕️

Juntos Crecemos: Meet the 8 Latino Finalist Brands in PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator

PepsiCo just unveiled the 8 rockstar Latino finalists for the Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos (Together We Grow) Edition. This program is all about supercharging food and beverage brands that celebrate Hispanic flavors and culture.

Each of these incredible companies get $20,000 to play with and a chance to win an additional $100,000. Over five months, they’ll be mentored by the best in the CPG biz. PepsiCo’s mission? Fuel innovation, boost economic opportunities, and support local communities.

Check out the 8 Latino brands that are involved:

1. JAS (Dallas, Texas): Alcohol-free cocktails with adaptogens and botanicals, for those who like their drinks bold and their lifestyles bold-er.

   

   JAS | Courtesy of JAS

   
   

2. JaziLupini (Rochester, New York): Plant-based, gluten-free pasta that’s high in protein and low in carbs. Basically, pasta without the guilt.

3. Mayawell (Austin, Texas): Prebiotic sodas sweetened with organic agave. Delicious flavors that love your gut back.

4. Nemi (Chicago, Illinois): Crunchy sticks made with nopales and fresh spices. Mexican flavors that’ll make your snack time legendary.

   

   Nemi Chile Turmeric | Courtesy of Nemi

5. PAKTLI (Cincinnati, Ohio): Super snacks with organic puffed grains and chocolates. Inspired by 16th-century Mexican treats but perfect for today.

6.  Pricklee (New York, New York): Hydration drinks made from prickly pear cactus. Refreshing, sustainable, and totally pricklee-licious.

7. TOAST-IT® (Miami, Florida): Gluten-free Latin American staples like arepas and pandebono bites. Ready-to-toast, ready-to-love.

8. ¡Ya Oaxaca! (Austin, Texas): Artisanal mole sauces, adobos, and salsas. Bringing the rich heritage of Oaxaca straight to your table.

   

   TOAST-IT® Chia Flaxseed Arepas & Toppings | Courtesy of TOAST-IT®

PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator Program: Juntos Crecemos Edition is bringing amazing Latino flavors to the forefront and supporting the dedicated Founders behind them. Stay tuned to learn more about these businesses and their founders soon.

For now, check out this press release to learn more about the Greenhouse Accelerator Program. Juntos Crecemos Edition

The ‘Reinas’ of Comedy: Latina Comedians Taking the Stage by Storm

Latina comedians are breaking down barriers and filling venues across the U.S. with their fresh, fearless humor. They tackle a wide range of topics with confidence and a dose of irony, making people laugh while delivering powerful messages.

Here are four standout Latina comedians making waves:

Joanna Hausmann: A Venezuelan-American comedian, gained fame with her viral YouTube videos about her identity crisis, connecting with millions through her witty takes on being a Jewish Venezuelan in the U.S.

Melissa Villaseñor: Born in California to Mexican parents, made history as the first Latina cast member on Saturday Night Live, renowned for her spot-on celebrity impressions.

Sofía Niño de Rivera: Hailing from Mexico, she became the first Mexican woman to have a Netflix comedy special in Spanish, captivating audiences with her candid reflections on life and fame.

Cristela Alonzo: A Texas native with Mexican roots, wrote, produced, and starred in her own sitcom, Cristela, and voiced a lead character in Pixar's Cars 3, marking major milestones for Latina representation in Hollywood.

Read the full story in El País–Latina laughter: Four female stand-up comedians who are taking the American stage by storm

From DACA Dreamer to the Supreme Court: The Journey of Luis Cortes Romero

A new PBS documentary, From Here/From There (De Aquí /De Allá), chronicles the inspiring journey of Luis Cortes Romero, from being a DACA recipient to becoming the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court.

Key Points to Know:

Early Life: Luis Cortes Romero discovered he was undocumented as a child when he couldn't join a school trip despite selling the most chocolates.

Education Journey: Despite doubts and nearly quitting, his mother’s encouragement led him to complete law school.

DACA's Impact: The introduction of DACA by President Obama was a turning point, allowing him to pursue his legal career without the constant fear of deportation.

Supreme Court Battle: In November 2019, he became the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, defending the DACA program.

Ongoing Fight: While the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration's attempt to end DACA was improper, the program’s future remains uncertain and is currently under review.

Luis Cortes Romero's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ongoing fight for immigrant rights. His story, as shown in From Here/From There, underscores the importance of legal protections for undocumented individuals and the significant contributions they make to society.

INTRODUCING: Our new newsletter section and comprende contributor.

Introducing a new dedicated space to connecting Latino/a/e founders with essential resources that supports the build, growth, and scale of their ventures.

In La Esquinita, you can expect to read about:

• The fundraising and VC landscape for Latino founders

• Relevant business case-study analysis, with applicable insights & take-aways

• Upcoming events and opportunities for founders

• Existing or emerging policies that impact startups and small businesses

• A private community to connect with other Founders & get exclusive resources and benefits. (Coming in late Q4).

If you’re a founder that wants to get further connected and learn more about Comprende, please fill out this form: Comprende Founders Submission

I’m also excited to share Adriana Román will be helping build La Esquinita and serve as a collaborator with me for all things comprende.

Adriana brings a wealth of knowledge from the startup, accelerator, and investment space to Comprende.

She is currently an apprentice Venture Investments Partner with the Rogue Women's Fund. Previously Adriana served as Venture Fellow at Colorwave and ran Platform Operations at IFundWomen.

We met in 2020 in the Venture for America Fellowship and connected through our Latino heritage and background having gone to small liberal art colleges in the Northeast.

Connect with Adriana: Lets connect on LinkedIn

How to Make: Baleadas (Honduras)

Let’s make some fresh tortillas and a delicious meal perfect for lunch or meatless Mondays: Honduran Baleadas.

Ingredients:

For the Tortillas:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or lard

• 3/4 cup warm water

For the Filling:

• 2 cups refried beans (preferably red beans)

• 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or grated cheese

• 1 ripe avocado, sliced

• 1/2 cup sour cream or crema

• Hot sauce (optional)

Instructions:

1. Make the Tortillas:

   • In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt.

   • Add the vegetable oil or lard and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   • Gradually add warm water, mixing until a soft dough forms.

   • Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

   • Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball.

   • Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Tortillas:

   • On a lightly floured surface, roll out each dough ball into a thin circle about 6-7 inches in diameter.

   • Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.

   • Cook each tortilla for about 1-2 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and cooked through.

   • Keep the tortillas warm in a clean kitchen towel as you cook the remaining tortillas.

3. Assemble the Baleadas:

   • Spread a generous amount of refried beans on one half of each tortilla.

   • Sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco or grated cheese.

   • Add a few slices of avocado on top of the beans and cheese.

   • Drizzle with sour cream or crema.

   • If desired, add a dash of hot sauce for extra flavor.

4. Serve:

   • Fold the tortilla in half over the filling.

   • Serve the baleadas warm, with additional toppings like salsa or pickled onions if desired.

Enjoy your homemade baleadas, a delicious and comforting Honduran dish!

Last week, we asked: Which Argentine tennis player won the US Open in 2009?

The correct answer is: Juan Martín del Potro

Argentine tennis player Juan Martín del Potro won the US Open in 2009. He defeated the five-time defending champion, Roger Federer, in a thrilling five-set final. This victory marked del Potro's first and only Grand Slam title. His powerful forehand and resilience on the court made him a standout star in the tennis world.

Watch the Match Here: Juan Martin del Potro vs Roger Federer Full Match | US Open 2009 Final

Question: In which Latin American country is there a unique festival that features people dressed as zebras to help direct traffic and educate about road safety?

Reply with your guess! Answers will be revealed in the next newsletter!

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