Minority Majority 006: A New King of Pop, Latina Journalists, & the 2024 Latino Vote

INTRODUCTION
Bienvenidos - Welcome to this week’s edition of Minority Majority, where we spotlight Bad Bunny's crowning by Forbes as the new 'King of Pop,' celebrate Latina journalists in a Smithsonian exhibit, and analyze the crucial role of the Latino vote in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Plus, we share a delicious Guatemalan Pepián recipe and the amazing story behind the first Latina to visit Space!

BUSINESS
Forbes Calls Bad Bunny The New ‘King of Pop’

El Nuevo Rey - Forbes Magazine has named Bad Bunny the new ‘King of Pop’ in its special 2024 30 Under 30 edition.

His diverse musical range, spanning genres like hip-hop, reggaeton, Latin pop, Puerto Rican trap, and even Mexican country music, reflects his cultural influences and personal tastes, from salsa and ballads to reggaeton and rap.

Bad Bunny is the first non-English language act to be Spotify's most streamed artist of the year, and he has led the list from 2020 to 2023. He also has the all-time record for the biggest streaming year of any artist in Spotify history, generating over 18.5 billion streams in 2022

The Puerto Rican music sensation has expanded his influence beyond music to build a burgeoning business empire in sports, fashion, and entertainment.

Utilizing the power of music streaming and social media, he has risen to global fame and formed partnerships with brands like Gucci, Adidas, and WWE.

CULTURA
Latina Journalists Celebrated in Smithsonian Exhibit

“¡De última hora! Latinas Report Breaking News" - This Smithsonian exhibit, which opened in September, celebrates the achievements of Latina journalists who have been pivotal in Spanish-language television and their coverage of important historical events.

Crafted as a bilingual exhibit at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., it showcases the work of influential journalists like María Elena Salinas, Blanca Rosa Vílchez, and others. The exhibit reflects the deep trust Latinx communities place in Spanish-language news compared to mainstream, English-language media, illustrating how Latina journalists both inform and advocate for their communities.

Addressing the broader context, the exhibit underscores the ongoing need for more inclusive representation of Latinos in mainstream media. It highlights the importance of nuanced coverage of Latinx issues and the necessity for Spanish-language networks to evolve and cater to a diverse and younger Latinx audience.

If you’re in DC, definitely go check it out, and for those who aren’t learn more about the exhibit here: De última hora! Latinas Report Breaking News

IMPACTO
Winning the Latino Vote will be key in 2024

A powerful shift in voter demographics - The Latino vote is expected to play a significant role in the 2024 election. Latinos are now the second largest group of voting-age Americans, with about 34.5 million Hispanic Americans eligible to vote in the 2024 election.

The number of Hispanic eligible voters has increased by 4.7 million since 2018, according to the Pew Research Center analysis.

Both Republican and Democratic campaigns and candidates in several key states are courting Latinos, who could cast decisive votes in several races. Latinos turned out in record numbers in the 2022 midterm elections, with more than 11.8 million Latinos casting votes.

Clarissa Martínez, vice president of the Latino vote initiative, Unidos, said that the Latino vote will be influential around the country as the number of eligible voters has swelled over the last five years.

EN LA COCINA

How to Make: Pepián

Ingredients:

• Meat: 2 lbs of chicken, beef, or pork (cut into pieces)

• Vegetables:

  • 1 large onion, chopped

  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 tomatoes, chopped

  • 1-2 medium potatoes, diced

  • 1-2 carrots, sliced

• Seeds and Spices:

  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

  • 2-3 dried guajillo or pasilla chiles, deseeded

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Extras:

  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

  • 2 tablespoons cooking oil

  • Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Roast the Seeds and Chiles:

   • In a dry skillet, toast the sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dried chiles over medium heat until they become fragrant. Be careful not to burn them. Set aside to cool, then grind them in a blender or spice grinder.

2. Brown the Meat:

   • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the meat with salt and pepper, then brown it on all sides. Remove the meat and set aside.

3. Cook the Vegetables:

   • In the same pot, add the chopped onions, bell pepper, and tomatoes. Sauté until they are soft.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • Return the meat to the pot. Add the ground seeds, chiles mixture, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. Stir well to coat the meat with the spices.

5. Add Liquids and Simmer:

   • Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer. Add the diced potatoes and sliced carrots.

6. Cook Until Tender:

   • Continue to simmer until the meat is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender, usually about 30-40 minutes.

7. Final Touches:

   • Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. If the stew is too thick, add more broth or water to reach the desired consistency.

8. Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot with rice and tortillas.

Enjoy your homemade Pepián, a taste of Guatemala's rich culinary heritage! Remember, the key to a great Pepián is in the roasted seeds and spices, which give this dish its distinctive flavor.

RECURSOS

• "Trust" by Hernan Diaz is a captivating novel divided into four sections that explore the life of wealthy financier Andrew Bevel and his wife, Mildred, inviting readers to question truth and power while delving into the pursuit of wealth during the 1920s and the Great Depression. The book is also in development as an HBO limited series, promising a fictional journey into the world of finance.

• Where Latinx Founders Can Find Funding, Resources, and More - This incredible resource built by Latina VC, Lolita Taub, includes information about Latinx founders and startups, Latinx startups that have raised over $1M, Latinx founders who have exited, Latinx investors, Latinx incubators and accelerators, Latinx communities, Latinx podcasts, and more!

NUESTRO TRIVIA: Last Week’s Answer

Last week, we asked: Who was the first Hispanic woman to visit space?

The correct answer is…Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa's journey to becoming the first Latina astronaut is a story of resilience and dedication. Of Mexican descent, Ochoa grew up in a multicultural environment in California, where she developed an early interest in science and mathematics.

Despite facing challenges as a minority in her field, she persevered, earning her bachelor's degree in physics from San Diego State University. Ochoa furthered her education at Stanford University, obtaining a master's and doctorate in electrical engineering

In 1993, she made history as the first Latina astronaut, flying on the Space Shuttle Discovery on a nine-day mission to study the Earth’s ozone layer. Ochoa didn’t stop there. She is a veteran of four space flights, having logged nearly 41 days, 19 hours, and 35 minutes in orbit, serving in various roles including mission specialist, flight engineer, and payload commander.

After retiring from space missions in 2007, Ochoa became the Deputy Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, eventually rising to become its director in 2013, making her the first Hispanic and second female to hold this prestigious position.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: This Week!

Question: Which Puerto Rican-born baseball player became the first Latino in Major League Baseball to reach 3,000 hits?

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

RIEGA LA VOZ

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