comprende 039: Hispanic Heritage Month Edition Part 3

BIENVENIDO

¡Saludos! Happy Friday and welcome to the 39th edition of Comprende.

These past few weeks we’ve doing a little something different. We’ve had a lot of new readers recently join. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, instead of our Core 3 stories, we revisited and spotlighted a few of our past features across our core categories. Last week, we featured some of our favorite Cultura features, which you can read here, and the week prior, we covered a collection of Latino & Latina Founder Stories, which you can read here, and this week we’re highlighting some of our favorite covers on our IMPACTO.

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! ☕️ 🍺

Hispanic Heritage Month: Revisiting IMPACTO Features

Leading with Heritage: Xiye Bastida's Path in Global Climate Advocacy: Featured in issue 012.

Xiye Bastida, a 21-year-old climate activist from Mexico's Otomi-Toltec Indigenous community, has become a global leader in environmental advocacy. Her journey began when climate-induced disasters forced her family to relocate to New York, where she quickly became involved in climate justice movements. Bastida's activism is deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage, emphasizing the importance of including marginalized communities in climate solutions. She co-founded the Re-Earth Initiative, organized large-scale climate strikes, and continues to push for urgent action on climate policy. Her story is a powerful example of how young, diverse voices are shaping the future of environmental activism.

Sonia Sotomayor: From the Bronx to the First Latina Supreme Court Justice: Featured in issue 017.

Sonia Sotomayor’s rise from the Bronx to becoming the first Latina Supreme Court Justice is a story of resilience and determination. Born to Puerto Rican parents and raised in a modest household, she overcame personal hardships, including the loss of her father at age nine. Inspired by her mother’s strength and her love of law, Sotomayor excelled academically, advocating for social justice throughout her time at Princeton and Yale. As a Supreme Court Justice, she has been a vocal supporter of affirmative action, civil rights, and protecting marginalized communities. Her decisions on landmark cases, including the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage, reflect her profound impact on shaping U.S. law and championing equality from the highest court.

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Father: Luis A. Miranda Jr.’s Political Activism and Legacy: Featured in issue 025.

Luis A. Miranda Jr. is a trailblazing political strategist and activist whose work has left a lasting mark on Latino political engagement in the U.S. Originally from Puerto Rico, Miranda moved to New York City in 1974 and quickly became involved in activism, eventually serving in Mayor Ed Koch's administration. He co-founded the Hispanic Federation, an organization that has been pivotal in supporting the Latino community, especially after Hurricane Maria. His political work includes advising high-profile Senate campaigns and helping elect the first Dominican American to Congress. Miranda's legacy, chronicled in his memoir Relentless, reflects a lifetime of dedication to empowering Latinos and advocating for their needs in American politics.

A Seat at the Oscars Table: AMPAS Invites 41 Latinos: Featured in issue 029.

Earlier this year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) invited 487 new members, including 41 Latinos, to join and participate in the Oscars voting process. Notable invitees include actors Jessica Alba, Stephanie Beatriz, and directors like Angel Manuel Soto and Lila Avilés. This move brings diverse perspectives to the Academy, highlighting the growing influence of Latino talent in the film industry. The inclusion of these voices is expected to enrich the Academy's decision-making and encourage greater diversity in future Oscar selections.

From DACA Dreamer to the Supreme Court: The Journey of Luis Cortes Romero: Featured in issue 030.

Luis Cortes Romero's journey from DACA recipient to Supreme Court advocate is a powerful story of perseverance and advocacy. Growing up undocumented, he faced many challenges but pursued his dream of becoming a lawyer, inspired by his mother’s encouragement. In 2019, he made history as the first undocumented lawyer to argue before the Supreme Court, defending the DACA program. His story, featured in the PBS documentary From Here/From There, highlights the critical role of legal protections for undocumented individuals and their invaluable contributions to society.

Slang Raises a $14 Million Series A, Startups Founded During the Pandemic are Still Thriving, plus upcoming opportunities.

Breaking Down a Deal: How Professional English Learning Platform, Slang, Raised Their $14 Million Series A

What began as a research project by MIT students, Diego Villegas and Kamran Khan, later evolved to become a professional English literacy platform designed to alleviate niche language barriers for global companies and their employees. Drawing from Diego’s experience witnessing others struggle with industry-specific English, the two recognized a gap in the market and saw an opportunity to create a solution.

Others recognized this opportunity as well, leading to Slang’s most recent Series A raise of $14 Million. AVP Ventures participated in the round and shared a few key reasons as to why they chose to invest in Slang.

1. Founder Track Record: AVP Ventures Partner, Elizabeth Acuña, was particularly impressed with Diego's prior success in founding and selling a company before Slang. Additionally, insights from current investors in Slang provided potential investors, like AVP, with valuable information to support their decisions.

2. Value Proposition: Slang’s ability to attract large companies including Nestle, Banco Santander, VivaAerobus, and GNP along with proof of companies willing to pay premium pricing for enrolling more employees, demonstrated that Slang was addressing a genuine need.

With the new funding, Slang looks to “expand [their] geographic footprint, have a greater impact on professionals' lives, and get that much closer to eradicating professional illiteracy.”

Four Years Later: Startups Founded During the Pandemic Are Still Thriving

Despite early concerns that the pandemic would stifle new businesses, a recent report conducted by Gusto, appears to show otherwise. Startups founded during 2019-2021 managed to grow at nearly the same rate as their pre-pandemic peers.

About 11% of these pandemic-born businesses experienced significant workforce growth within their first two years, compared to 12% for those that launched before COVID. These businesses contributed to 3.5 million new jobs, creating 336,000 more jobs than expected during a time of economic uncertainty.

Overall, this early data gives us a glimpse into the resilience of these founders, who created a business during a challenging time, and how that effort has translated into businesses capable of adapting to and withstanding adversity.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

• Tory Burch Foundation Fellows Program | Apply by November 1

  • For women entrepreneurs, 5k grant plus yearlong programming

  • Apply Here

• Mentors & Angels Accelerator | Apply by November 1

  • For underrepresented founders, a free 7-week program

  • Apply Here

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:

How to Make: Cuban Vaca Frita

Vaca Frita is a beloved Cuban dish that translates to "fried cow," but don't let the name fool you—this dish is packed with flavor and simplicity. Made with shredded beef that's marinated and then crisped up to perfection, it's a dish that brings out the best of Cuban home cooking.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs flank steak or skirt steak

• 1 large onion, thinly sliced

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)

• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 1 orange)

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for frying)

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Beef:

   • Place the steak in a large pot, cover with water, and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 1.5 hours, or until the meat is tender and easy to shred. Remove the steak from the water and let it cool slightly. Once cool, shred the meat with a fork or your hands.

2. Marinate the Beef:

   • In a bowl, mix together the lime juice, orange juice, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss the shredded beef in the marinade, making sure it's well coated, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor).

3. Sauté the Onions and Peppers:

   • In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and bell pepper, if using, and sauté until soft and golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the onions and peppers from the pan and set aside.

4. Fry the Beef:

   • In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil and increase the heat to medium-high. Add the marinated beef in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the beef until it's crispy and browned, about 5 minutes per side.

5. Combine and Serve:

   • Once the beef is crispy, toss it with the sautéed onions and peppers. Serve with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and extra lime wedges if desired.

Vaca Frita pairs perfectly with rice, black beans, and fried plantains for an authentic Cuban meal. Enjoy this crispy, savory dish that’s sure to transport you straight to Havana!

Last week, we asked: Which country has produced seven Miss Universe winners, making it one of the most successful nations in the history of the competition?

The right answer was: Venezuela!

Venezuela has produced seven Miss Universe winners, making it one of the most successful countries in the history of the competition. The country's achievements stem from a strong cultural focus on pageantry, with contestants receiving extensive preparation in public speaking, confidence, and global awareness. Venezuelan winners, such as Irene Sáez (1981) and Dayana Mendoza (2008), have gone on to have impactful careers beyond the pageant world. The nation's success in Miss Universe reflects not just a celebration of beauty, but also the dedication, discipline, and talent of its participants.

Question:  What famous rainforest is located in Puerto Rico?

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

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