comprende 031: Daniella Levy’s Wellness Revolution, Sofia Vergara’s Emmy Nom, & Carlos Espina’s Impact on News

aBIENVENIDO

¡Saludos! Happy Friday and welcome to the 31st edition of Comprende (formerly the Minority Majority newsletter).

This week, we explore the impactful journey of Daniella Levy, co-founder and CEO of Happy V, as she breaks cultural taboos and revolutionizes intimate wellness for Latinas. We also highlight Sofia Vergara's historic Emmy nomination for her role in "Griselda," marking a significant achievement for Latina actresses. Lastly, we delve into the rise of Carlos Espina, a TikTok sensation who is transforming how Latinos receive news and information in the digital age.

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! ☕️

Meet Daniella Levy: The Latina Transforming the Intimate Wellness Industry

Daniella Levy is a key Latina figure in the intimate wellness industry as the co-founder and CEO of Happy V, a company providing high-quality vaginal wellness supplements. Happy V was born from Levy’s personal struggles with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other vaginal infections, highlighting a gap in effective and compassionate vaginal health care.

Growing up in a conservative Latino family, Levy faced cultural taboos around discussing vaginal health. "Latinas are taught to be a ‘good girl,’ and sex is off-limits until you’re married. Many feel ashamed to talk about vaginal health," she explained in a Hispanic Executive article. After numerous dismissals by doctors, Levy took matters into her own hands, researching natural treatments and consulting experts.

Levy started working on Happy V in 2017 and officially launched in 2019, offering scientifically-backed, doctor-formulated products. Despite facing stereotypes and challenges, Levy's resilience and determination drove her to succeed. "Obstacles are a part of running a business. Having a resilient mindset crystalizes a strong entrepreneurial spirit," she stated.

Levy’s mission extends beyond product creation. She aims to shift the dialogue around vaginal health, particularly within the Latine community. She is inspired by the growing diversity and inclusion in the intimate wellness space and is committed to breaking cultural barriers and empowering Latina voices.

Happy V not only provides effective solutions but also fosters an environment where conversations about vaginal health are normalized, making Levy a trailblazer in both business and cultural empowerment.

Sofia Vergara Makes History as First Latina Nominee for Lead Actress

Sofia Vergara, has achieved a historic milestone with her 2024 Emmy nomination. Vergara was nominated for Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her transformative role in "Griselda," making her the first-ever Latina to earn this nod.

In "Griselda," Vergara portrays Griselda Blanco, a notorious Colombian drug lord from the 1970s and '80s. This role marks Vergara's first dramatic endeavor, a significant shift from her previous Emmy-nominated performances as Gloria in "Modern Family."

Vergara expressed her gratitude on Instagram, highlighting the 15-year journey to bring Griselda's story to life and thanking her director Andres Baiz, co-star Alberto Guerra, and the entire creative team. She acknowledged her fellow nominees, saying, "I’m honored to be recognized alongside Jodi, Brie, Juno, and Naomi, incredible women who gave us incredible TV this year."

Vergara's dedication to her role involved extensive use of prosthetics, transforming her into the formidable Blanco. Reflecting on her character, Vergara noted the rarity of a woman reaching such heights in the male-dominated world of drug trafficking, especially in that era.

With this nomination, Vergara not only celebrates a personal achievement but also paves the way for greater representation and recognition of Latina actresses in Hollywood.

Empowering Latinos: How Carlos Eduardo Espina is Changing the News Landscape

Carlos Eduardo Espina, a 25-year-old social media influencer, is revolutionizing how Spanish-speaking Latinos in the United States access news and information. With 9.4 million followers on TikTok, Espina has become a trusted source for breaking news, political commentary, and cultural insights.

A recent law school graduate based in College Station, Texas, Espina's journey began in 2020. Unlike many TikTok stars, he gained fame by offering practical advice on passing the U.S. citizenship test. His content quickly expanded to cover immigration updates, visa information, and political news, often championing the Biden administration's initiatives.

@carlos_eduardo_espina

Un mensaje de corazón para nuestra comunidad 🙏🏼❤️

Despite his massive following, Espina remains under the radar in mainstream media, likely due to his predominantly Spanish-language content. However, his influence is significant, catching the attention of the White House, where he has filmed videos with President Biden and participated in critical policy discussions. His role in disseminating information is pivotal, especially as traditional media consumption declines among younger Latinos.

Espina’s impact extends beyond social media. He plans to build a community center for Latino immigrants in Houston, demonstrating his commitment to supporting and uplifting his community. His transparency and dedication to providing accessible news have made him a beacon for many.

By challenging cultural taboos and addressing crucial issues, Espina empowers the Latino community, ensuring they stay informed and engaged. His work exemplifies the power of social media in fostering community, influencing policy, and bridging information gaps, making him an invaluable figure in modern digital journalism.

To read a complete story on his journey check out this recent feature by the New York Times: A One-Man Telemundo on TikTok

Setting the Scene: Where do Latino Founders Pursue Entrepreneurship?

Over the past decade, the number of Latino-owned businesses (LOBs) has been increasing by 34 percent, and has continued to be one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. business economy. According to a 2023 report conducted by Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, the Latino community collectively owns nearly 5 million businesses that generate over $800 billion in annual revenue.

Considering the substantial size, and continued growth, of Latino-owned businesses, let’s take a deeper look at which industries LOBs operate in the most, and better understand where the impact of Latino founders lie within the broader U.S. economy.

If you also found yourself curious as to what constitutes an industry to be “professional, scientific, and technical”, I’m already ahead of you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector comprises establishments that “specialize in performing professional, scientific, and technical activities for others. These activities require a high degree of expertise and training.”

While still a broad definition, this does leave us with a case to be made that many of the Latino start-up founders we’ve highlighted in our newsletter thus far can fit into the definition of that top third industry spot. Think of companies in the fin-tech space like Félix Pago from our 27th issue, or in the climate-tech like Pachama from our 23rd issue. Both of these companies are addressing large-scale problems with solutions that require a significant level of deep understanding within their respective fields, as well as the relevant technologies that exist in both spaces.

Overall, the future of Latino entrepreneurship is growing across all fronts. Whether you want to tackle a wide-reaching issue that scales, or whether you want to add a new product and service to fill a need within your existing community, the possibilities are endless.

Depending on your answer, and what value you are looking to bring in, knowing what type of business you are interested in creating can help guide you on which avenues to take when going through the next steps in validating, iterating, and growing your business.

La Esquinita is Written by Comprende Collaborator, Adriana Román. Learn more about Adriana or connect with her on LinkedIn here.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

• Baddies in Tech | Baddiecon Pitch Competition 

  • Chance to win up to $10k, apply by July 19th

• Andreessen Horowitz | Talent x Opportunity Grant and Accelerator Program 

  • Chance to win up to $50k, 16 week accelerator, apply by July 19th

• Wave | Elevate Creatives Fund 

  • Chance to win up to $20k, apply by July 31st

• We All Grow Latina x Capital One | The Amigas in Business Pitch Competition 

  • Chance to win $20k, $30k, and $50k grants, apply by August 15th 

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

How to Make: Frescos (Costa Rica)

Experience the vibrant and refreshing flavors of Costa Rica with these simple and delicious Frescos, perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot summer day.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh fruit (such as pineapple, mango, or watermelon)

• 4 cups water

• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• Ice

Instructions:

1. Blend the fresh fruit with water and sugar until smooth.

2. Strain the mixture to remove any pulp.

3. Serve over ice.

Enjoy this light, simple, and fruity beverage that captures the essence of Costa Rican ‘Pura Vida’ in every sip.

Last week, we asked: What unique festival in Bolivia features people dressed as zebras to help direct traffic and educate about road safety?

The correct answer is: Proyecto Zebra (Zebra Project)

The unique festival in Bolivia that features people dressed as zebras to help direct traffic and educate about road safety is called the Zebra Project (Proyecto Zebra). This innovative initiative started in La Paz, Bolivia, and involves "Zebritas" who dress in zebra costumes to assist pedestrians and drivers, promoting safe and respectful behavior on the streets.

Question: Which Latin American country is home to the world’s largest salt flat?

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

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