comprende 034: Latino Founder, Dr. Juan Salinas’ Healthy Snacks, Reviving Mexican Rotulismo, & Biden’s Immigration Action

BIENVENIDO

¡Saludos! Happy Friday and welcome to the 34th edition of Comprende.

The 3 Core Stories:

• This week, we spotlight Latino founder, Dr. Juan Salinas, who turned his passion for fitness into P-nuff Crunch, a healthy snack shaking up the industry.

• We explore the work of Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., an L.A. artist who’s keeping Rotulismo Mexicano alive through his vibrant art.

• Lastly, we cover President Biden's recent immigration actions, which offer work permits to some, while the fight for broader reform continues.

So, grab your cafecito or cervecita (depending where you are), settle in, and if you enjoy, please forward the newsletter to friends or share it on social media! ☕️ 🍺

Building a Better Snack: Dr. Juan Salinas’ Journey with P-nuff Crunch

Dr. Juan Salinas, founder of Perfect Life Nutrition, LLC, is a trailblazer in the world of healthy snacking. With a PhD in Food Science and over 25 years of experience in developing snacks for some of the largest CPG companies in the U.S., Dr. Salinas was no stranger to the food industry.

However, his passion for health and fitness, combined with his dissatisfaction with the unhealthy snacks he was creating, led him to embark on a new journey: creating a snack that was both delicious and nutritious.

In 2016, Dr. Salinas launched P-nuff Crunch, a baked peanut puff snack made from peanuts, beans, and rice. The first of its kind, P-nuff Crunch is packed with 5g of plant-based protein, low in sugar and fat, and high in fiber. The snack is designed to support active lifestyles without compromising on taste.

Starting his business with personal savings and support from his brothers, Dr. Salinas faced numerous challenges, particularly in manufacturing. The allergen content of peanuts made it difficult to find co-manufacturers, leading him to eventually invest in his own equipment and facilities.

Despite setbacks, including delays and the loss of manufacturing partners, Dr. Salinas persisted, ensuring that his vision for a healthy, guilt-free snack became a reality.

In 2020, P-nuff Crunch gained national attention when Dr. Salinas appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank. The Sharks were impressed with the product and Dr. Salinas’ story, with Mark Cuban even offering a deal after expressing his admiration for P-nuff Crunch.

Today, Dr. Salinas continues to drive the mission of promoting healthy, nutritious snacking through his innovative products.

Preserving Heritage: The Art of Alfonso Gonzalez Jr. and Rotulismo Mexicano

Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., an artist born and raised in Los Angeles, is gaining recognition in the contemporary art world by championing and preserving the traditional Mexican art form known as Rotulismo Mexicano. This hand-painted signage style, with its distinctive typography, vivid colors, and brush strokes, has deep roots in Mexican culture, gaining prominence after the Mexican Revolution.

Gonzalez Jr. grew up surrounded by this art form, with his father, Alfonso Gonzalez Sr., being a seasoned sign painter for over 40 years. Gonzalez Jr.'s work is a fusion of Rotulismo and the urban landscapes of Los Angeles.

He captures the essence of the city by integrating culturally significant landmarks and communities into his art. His creative process is deeply personal, often involving his father's expertise, which brings a multi-generational touch to his pieces. Recently, Gonzalez Jr. collaborated with Modelo to create an art piece for their Spiked Aguas Frescas, infusing elements of Rotulismo with imagery of L.A.'s neighborhoods.

His art not only honors his heritage but also serves as a protest against the erasure of cultural and historical landmarks in Los Angeles, a city undergoing rapid transformation. Through his work, Gonzalez Jr. seeks to keep Rotulismo alive and relevant, ensuring that this rich tradition is not lost to modernity.

Check out the full feature on Remezcla here: Meet Alfonso Gonzalez Jr., the L.A. Artist Celebrating the Heritage of Rotulismo Mexicano

Biden’s Immigration Actions Offer Progress, but More Is Needed

President Biden’s recent immigration actions have introduced new pathways for work permits and legal status for select groups of undocumented immigrants, marking the most significant reform since DACA in 2012. The policies include "parole-in-place" (PIP) for certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, allowing them to apply for work permits and legal residency, as well as expedited work visas for qualified DACA recipients who hold a bachelor's degree and have secured employment in specialized fields.

However, while these changes offer hope for many, they also highlight the limitations of the current system. Many long-term undocumented immigrants, despite years of contributing to the U.S. economy, remain excluded from these benefits. For advocates like the Latino Policy Forum, this partial progress underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform that includes work permits and a pathway to citizenship for all 10.5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

The frustration among those who do not qualify is palpable, reflecting the urgent need for broader protections. As the immigrant community and their allies continue to push for more inclusive policies, the ultimate goal remains clear: work permits and legal recognition for all undocumented individuals, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Check out the full article in Latino News Network: Biden’s recent immigration actions provide work permits for some; work permits for all is still the goal

Chariot Raises Their $11 Million Series A, New Business Resilience Guides from the SBA, and the latest in funding opportunities

Breaking Down a Fundraising Deal: How Non-Profit Fintech Startup, Chariot, Raised $11 Million from Maveron, Spark Capital, SV Angel, and Y-Combinator.

Last week, one of Chariot’s co-founders and CEO, Venezuelan-born Salomon Serfati, announced the successful close of their Series A funding round with Maveron, a consumer-only venture capital firm, leading the $11 million raise.

Chariot, a fintech startup focused on modernizing charitable giving through Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), stands out in the nonprofit sector—a space not typically targeted by consumer VC firms like Maveron. So, what made Maveron decide to invest in Chariot? Let’s dive into their reasoning.

1. System Modernization: Chariot addresses a critical pain point in the process of charitable giving through DAFs. These funds, which allow individuals to allocate money for future charitable donations while receiving tax advantages, are becoming increasingly popular. However, the process of distributing these funds is often complex and challenging, leading to underutilization.
   
   Chariot simplifies the distribution process, making it easier for individuals to donate the $230 billion currently held in DAFs.
   

2. Potential for Growth: In Maveron’s due diligence process, they’ve identified DAFs as the fastest growing vehicle in philanthropy, with grants from DAFs increasing annually since 2009. This means that being one of the earliest technologies to tap into this growing market will hopefully result in bigger success for Chariot.

SBA Launches New Business Resilience Guide

For small businesses who are unfamiliar with disaster preparation, the SBA released a comprehensive resource with six sections covering best practices, including information related to:

• Safeguarding vital resources

• Strengthening financial readiness

• Proactive mitigation strategies, and more

Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

• Hispanic Heritage Foundation & Bacardi USA | Visión Verde Grant | Apply by August 25

  • For Latine founders in the beverage/alcohol services/sales/hospitality industries: $10K

• ¡Dale! 2024 $35k Pitch Competition | La Familia Foundation | Apply by August 28

  • For Latine founders with a max of $2.5M total capital raised to date.

• Faire | Small Business Grant | Apply by August 31

  • For independent retail founders, $5,000 grants

• Amber Grants for Women | Apply by August 31

  • For women founders, $10k grants.

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

FOUNDERS:

If you’re a founder who wants to get further connected and learn more about Comprende, be featured in our newsletter or marketplace, or inquire about our creative and strategy agency services, please fill out this form: Comprende Founders Submission

How to Make: Bolivian Majadito

Majadito is a staple in Bolivian cuisine, celebrated for its comforting taste and satisfying ingredients. It combines savory rice with tender beef jerky, pork, or chicken, creating a hearty and flavorful meal. This dish is often topped with fried plantains and a fried egg, adding a delicious layer of richness and texture.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice

• 1/2 lb (250g) of beef jerky (charque) or pork, cut into small pieces

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 1 large tomato, finely chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

• 3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 4 cups of chicken or beef broth

• 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced

• 4 eggs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

• Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Meat:

   • If using beef jerky (charque), soak it in hot water for about 30 minutes to soften. Drain and rinse, then cut into small pieces. If using pork, cut it into small, bite-sized pieces.

2. Cook the Meat:

   • In a large pot or deep skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

   • Add the chopped tomato and cook for another 3 minutes until the tomato softens.

   • Add the meat to the pot, along with cumin, paprika, black pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is browned and cooked through (about 10-15 minutes).

3. Cook the Rice:

   • Add the rice to the pot with the meat and stir to coat the rice with the flavors from the meat and vegetables.

   • Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.

4. Fry the Plantains:

   • While the rice is cooking, heat the remaining vegetable oil in a separate frying pan over medium heat.

   • Fry the plantain slices until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels.

5. Fry the Eggs:

   • In the same frying pan, fry the eggs sunny-side up.

6. Assemble and Serve:

   • Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and adjust seasoning if needed.

   • Serve the Majadito on individual plates, topped with the fried plantains and a fried egg.

   • Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.

Enjoy your Majadito—a hearty and flavorful Bolivian dish that’s perfect for a satisfying meal!

Last week, we asked: Which Colombian artist created the iconic sculpture series "Gordas" featuring voluptuous human and animal figures?

Shoutout to Jonah Baer who answered correctly: Fernando Botero

The iconic sculpture series "Gordas," featuring voluptuous human and animal figures, was created by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Botero is renowned for his distinctive style, known as "Boterismo," which exaggerates the proportions of his subjects, giving them a robust and voluminous appearance.

His work spans various mediums, including painting and sculpture, and has gained international recognition for its unique and whimsical approach. Botero's art often explores themes of humor, politics, and satire, making his pieces both visually striking and thought-provoking. He is considered one of Colombia's most celebrated contemporary artists.

Question:  Which Argentine soccer player is considered one of the greatest of all time and won the FIFA World Cup in 1986? 

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

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