Minority Majority 004: Kilimanjaro's Latina Conqueror, $100M Latinx Startups, & Our Music's New Wave

INTRODUCTION
Bienvenidos - Welcome to this week's edition of Minority Majority, where we spotlight trailblazers and movements reshaping the Latinx landscape.

Dive into the story of a Latina advocate achieving incredible feats, explore the groundbreaking achievements of 10 Latino-led companies raising over $100M, & delve into the growing trend of U.S. venues embracing emerging Latinx artists.

Put your culinary skills to the test with our exquisite Peruvian Ceviche recipe, check out our latest book recommendation, and don’t forget to answer this week’s trivia question. Remember, if you enjoyed this week’s edition please share with a friend or family member!

IMPACTO
Marcela Marañon: A Latina Pioneering Change and Empowerment Post-Kilimanjaro

Conquering a 19,341 feet hike and more - Marcela Marañon, after becoming the first disabled Latina to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, continues to shatter barriers. Overcoming a life-altering car accident at 21 that left her paralyzed, she now advocates for individuals with physical disabilities, using her story to inspire and challenge societal perceptions. Through her social media platforms, she actively dispels stigmas and encourages a positive view of life with disabilities.

Marañon's influence extends beyond motivational speaking; she's actively fundraising to build a recovery center in Tanzania for children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. She also has an online store that sells merchandise with empowering messages, contributing to her cause. Her efforts underscore the importance of seeing beyond disabilities, recognizing the potential and purpose in everyone.

BUSINESS
10 Latino-Led Founded Companies that Have Raised over $100M

Disrupting the narrative - Despite systemic barriers that leave founders of color and women with a fraction of VC funding, these trailblazers have secured significant capital for their startups, paving the way for other Latinx entrepreneurs.

1.) Pedro Franceschi & Henrique Dubugras - Brex - Total Funding: $732 million
The Brazilian duo behind Brex, have revolutionized credit for startups with their company valued at $2.6 billion. Their fintech innovation offers credit without personal risk to founders, reflecting their own entrepreneurial journey from Stanford dropouts to leading a unicorn company.

2.) James Gutierrez - Aura - Total Funding: $585 million
Gutierrez has been a trailblazer in providing financial services to the underserved. Aura has extended over $800 million in loans, embodying Gutierrez's commitment to economic justice and his continued advocacy from the boardroom after stepping down as CEO.

3.) Jessica Alba - The Honest Company - Total Funding: $503 million
The Honest Company is a lifestyle brand promoting sustainability and health, which has approached over $350 million in sales and was valued at $1 billion in 2017. Beyond being a pioneer in clean beauty & health living, with her company, Alba has donated over 22 million products and 18,000 employee volunteer hours.

4.) Eugenio Pace & Matias Woloski - Auth0 - Total Funding: $332 million
Auth0 is an identity management company now valued at $1.9 billion, serving 2,000 enterprise customers globally. Pace & Woloski have grown Auth0 into a leading company in its field, securing tens of millions of logins per day.

5.) Manuel Medina - Outreach - Total Funding: $289 million
Outreach pivoted & became a $1.3 billion customer sales engagement platform from the brink of shutdown. Medina, an Ecuadorian immigrant, has grown Outreach to a 550-person company that counts DoorDash, DocuSign and Tableau as customers.

6.) Luis Von Ahn - Duolingo - Total Funding: $148 million
Duolingo is a language learning platform now valued at $700 million with over 200 million users. Von Ahn, also known for inventing CAPTCHA, is now focused on democratizing language learning to increase social mobility.

7.) Eduardo Medina - BetterUp - Total Funding: $145 million
Medina co-founded BetterUp, creating the first leadership development platform that combines human expertise with scientific research and AI. Valued at $710 million, BetterUp has over 1,000 coaches and partners with enterprises like Airbnb and Equinix.

8.) Alexandra Marshall - HealthIQ - Total Funding: $137 million
Marshall, a co-founder of HealthIQ, has helped the company reach over $21 billion in client coverage. As a founder who identifies as LGBTQ+, female, white, and Latina, Marshall is now working to improve representation and access to capital in the VC ecosystem.

9.) Isabel Aznarez & Adrian Krainer - Stoke Therapeutics - Total Funding: $130 million
Stoke Therapeutics aims to treat genetic diseases by targeting pre-mRNA splicing. Both founders, hailing from Uruguay, have received numerous recognitions for their research in the field.

10.) Elias Torres & David Cancel - Drift - Total Funding: $107 million
Drift is an AI-powered sales software startup. The company is making waves with eight-figure revenues and a valuation of $360 million as of 2018. Torres, a Nicaraguan immigrant, and Cancel, of Ecuadorian and Puerto Rican descent, share a vision of diversifying the tech industry and championing Latino representation.

CULTURA
Growing Trend of U.S. Venues Booking Emerging Latinx Artists

The new Latinx music wave - From the global appeal of Ricky Martin to the enduring legacy of Selena, Latinx musicians have paved the way for contemporary artists. Propelled by the mainstream success of figures like Bad Bunny, the U.S. music industry is witnessing a surge in bookings for emerging Latinx artists.

As reported by Axios Latino, venues are diversifying their line-ups with a variety of Latin music genres, reflecting a growing appreciation for the full breadth of Latino cultural expression. New York's Lincoln Center, for instance, is introducing audiences to avant-garde Latino artists through its "Futuros" series, spotlighting experimental & neo-classical Latino composers.

This movement extends beyond mere variety; it's a reimagining of the Latino music narrative. Paloma Estévez Aguirre of the Lincoln Center highlighted the goal to present new facets of Latino music to both traditional and new audiences. With Latinos gaining influence in cultural institutions, the stage is set for an inclusive evolution of the music scene, one that embraces everything from Latin folk to electronic, as the enthusiastic reception of these diverse events suggests.

EN LA COCINA

How to Make: Classic Peruvian Ceviche

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh, fresh firm white fish (like sea bass or corvina), cubed

• 1 red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice

• Salt to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 1 handful of cilantro, chopped

• 1-2 fresh jalapeños or serrano chilies, seeded and finely chopped (optional for heat)

• 1 sweet potato, boiled and sliced (for serving)

• 1 ear of corn, boiled and cut into rounds (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Fish:

   • In a glass dish, combine the fish with the lime juice, ensuring the fish is fully submerged. The acidity of the lime juice will "cook" the fish.

   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.

   • Stir in the sliced red onion, cilantro, and chopped chilies if you’re using them.

   • Cover the dish and refrigerate for about 15-30 minutes. The fish should become opaque and firm to the touch.

2. Prepare the Sides:

   • While the fish is marinating, prepare your sweet potato and corn if not done already. Slice the boiled sweet potato, and cut the boiled corn into rounds or halves.

3. Serve:

   • Check the fish for doneness. It should be opaque and slightly firm.

   • Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lime juice if needed.

   • Serve the ceviche immediately, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.

   • Accompany with slices of sweet potato and rounds of corn to complement the tangy flavor of the ceviche.

RECURSOS

• Book Recommendation: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo - A coming-of-age story told in verse, following a young Afro-Latina girl discovering her voice through slam poetry. Winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, the Michael L. Printz Award, and the Pura Belpré Award!

  Boricua entrepreneur teaching others - Learn about Jannese Torres, an award-winning Latina money expert and host of the "Yo Quiero Dinero" podcast, who turned her food blog into a six-figure business after a job loss and now teaches financial independence and entrepreneurship to marginalized communities.

• Latinos in Higher Ed & The Impact of Affirmative Action decision - The UnidosUS report examines the repercussions of the Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action, advocating for proactive measures to uphold educational equity and diversity in higher education amidst changing admissions policies.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: Last Week’s Answer

Last week, we asked: Which pre-Columbian civilization is known for its intricately carved stone spheres? The correct answer is…The Diquís of Costa Rica!

The Stone Spheres of the Diquís, located in Costa Rica, are a collection of over 300 petrospheres known for their near-perfect roundness and mysterious origins. These enigmatic stone balls have intrigued scientists and archaeologists regarding their purpose and the technology used to shape them.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: This Week!

Question: Which Mexican Film director made history by winning the Academy Award for Best Director in two consecutive years, for "Birdman" in 2014 and "The Revenant" in 2015?

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

RIEGA LA VOZ

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