Minority Majority 007: Miami Art Basel, Latina Disrupts the Beauty Industry, & Poder Latinx

INTRODUCTION
Bienvenidos - Welcome to this week’s edition of Minority Majority! We dive into Art Basel Miami 2023, highlighting some Latinx artists to look out for, share the incredible story of how Rea Ann Silva disrupted the multi-billion dollar beauty industry with a simple product, and how the organization Poder Latinx is impacting politics and society.

Plus, we share a delicious Nicaraguan Rondón recipe and give you the answer for last week’s trivia question.

CULTURA
Miami Art Basel 2023: Latinx Artists to Watch

If you are in Miami for Art Basel, don’t miss these Latinx Artists - At this year’s 2023 edition of Art Basel Miami, there are 277 different Exhibitors featuring hundreds of artists. For our minority majority audience, we wanted to go ahead and feature a selection of Latinx artists who will be displaying their works at the Art event of the year.

Sebastian Errazuriz: The Chilean artist displayed his AI-designed sand maze installation, "MAZE: Journey Through the Algorithmic Self" at Faena Art's "Spaces of Influence" exhibition.

Esperanza Rosas (Runsy): Her pencil-on-paper works were part of the "Sole Perspectives" group show, reflecting her Mexican-American heritage and pop culture influences.

COVL: The Puerto Rican multidisciplinary artist & Miami native exhibited "Homesick" at Ampersand Studios, drawing from her Latina culture and upbringing. Characterized by a vast and non-traditional scope, COVL taps into the power of color psychology and imagination, challenging conventional norms and celebrating the joys of an unrestricted and genuine creative existence since her early years.

Patrick Martinez: Featured at Rubell Museum’s "Singular Views: Los Angeles" and the "Gimme Shelter" exhibit at Historic Hampton House, Martinez's work includes paintings, neon signage, and socioeconomic commentary.

Isabel Oliva: Oliva is a multidisciplinary artist & designer from Miami who creates artificial realms inspired by the natural world. Her creative process involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating techniques like drawing, screen printing, weaving, and garment making to construct her artworks. She weaves together ideas of personal mythology, animals, magic realism, and ecofeminism into a unique tapestry of artistic and environmental exploration. Oliva’s textile work is displayed with the YoungArts booth (CP4) at New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) Miami.

Mario Ayala: Showcased at Booth B50 at Art Basel with the David Kordansky Gallery, Ayala's work is inspired by his West Coast upbringing, muralism, tattoos, surrealism, and the Latino experience.

Gabriela Zegarra: While she is an accomplished artist in her own right, I’d be remiss if I did not highlight my girlfriend's exceptional work as the Gallery Manager at JUPITER, a gallery based in Miami. Her pivotal role in Art Basel 2023 has been instrumental in orchestrating three simultaneous JUPITER exhibitions & Art Fairs: Sejiro Avoseh’s solo presentation of ‘Aliens in Spaces’ at Untitled Booth B21, George Clinton’s solo exhibit ‘Ruff’ at JUPITER, and the ‘Gimme Shelter’ group show, previously mentioned, at The Historic Hampton House. Zegarra’s exceptional management skills, infused with her artistic acumen, have elevated JUPITER’s shows, embodying the remarkable synergy of a talented artist's touch in the world of gallery management.

Art Basel Miami 2023 stands out as a testament to the dynamic and diverse talents of Latinx artists, each bringing their unique voice and vision to the forefront, and making this event a crucial destination for anyone passionate about the evolving landscape of Latinx art.

BUSINESS
Meet the Latina Founder who Transformed the Make-Up Industry & Made Millions with an Egg-shaped Sponge

The Latina Disruptor in the Beauty industry - Rea Ann Silva, the founder of Beautyblender, grew up in a working-class Latino family in Los Angeles. Her journey in the beauty industry began at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, where she developed a deep interest in art, color, and texture.

Silva's career took off at a department store cosmetics counter, leading to her becoming a sought-after makeup artist in the TV and film industry. As a single mother and a Latina facing discrimination in a predominantly white industry, Silva's drive and work ethic were key to her success.

The idea for Beautyblender emerged while Silva was working on the high-definition TV series "Girlfriends." To solve the challenges of makeup application in HD, she innovated the egg-shaped sponge, designed for precision and efficiency. This no-edge sponge, used wet, was a hit among professionals and actors alike for its ability to flawlessly apply makeup.

Recognizing its potential, Silva turned her invention into a commercial product, launching her company, Beautyblender.

Beautyblender's ascent in the beauty industry was marked by rapid yet strategic growth. Rea Ann Silva's approach focused on a controlled expansion, initially targeting professional makeup artist stores before venturing into retail with platforms like Beauty.com and Sephora.

Despite facing challenges from knock-offs, including those by Sephora, Beautyblender's superior quality and strong reputation earned it a successful in-store trial with Sephora. This move significantly boosted the brand's retail presence and popularity, as evidenced by the rapid sell-out of their initial purchase orders.

The financial success of the sponge allowed Silva to diversify Beautyblender's offerings, leading to the creation of a foundation line. This expansion not only widened the product range but also reflected Silva's initial passion for color and makeup.

Silva's strategic vision and understanding of the market transformed a simple concept into a multi-million dollar business, which recorded sales of $175 Million in 2019.

IMPACTO
How Poder Latinx is Shaping the Future of Our Political and Social Impact

A beacon of empowerment in the Latinx community - Poder Latinx is a civic and social justice organization dedicated to amplifying the political voice of Latinx individuals in key battleground states and across the nation. Their comprehensive approach is making significant strides in social and political arenas, by focusing on the following key issues:

1. Voter Engagement: Poder Latinx leads a robust voter-integrated engagement program, focusing on voter participation, issue-based campaigns, leadership development, and narrative change to foster political awareness.

2. Environmental Advocacy: The organization is committed to educating the Latinx community about the impact of climate change, advocating for the protection of natural resources, and promoting environmental justice.

3. Immigration Policy Reform: Poder Latinx actively campaigns for fair and humane immigration policies, emphasizing the need for family unity, pathways to citizenship, and responsive systems for those facing political or humanitarian crises.

4. Labor Rights and Equity: They advocate for equitable treatment of Latinx workers, including access to healthcare, fair wages, and safe working conditions, particularly emphasizing the rights of marginalized workers like undocumented, domestic, and farmworkers.

Poder Latinx's vision is to cultivate a sustained progressive Latinx voting bloc in strategic locations, such as Arizona, Florida, Georgia, and Washington.

Their mission resonates with a desire to see the Latinx community become influential decision-makers in American democracy, achieving victories on critical economic, immigrant, and environmental issues.

Through their multifaceted approach, Poder Latinx is not just envisioning but actively creating a future where the Latinx community holds a pivotal role in shaping the nation's policies and social fabric.

Learn more about Poder Latinx at poderlatinx.org

EN LA COCINA

How to Make: Rondón

Rondón is a traditional dish from the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, Rondón is a hearty seafood stew made with coconut milk, plantains, yuca, and a variety of seafood like fish, shrimp, or crab.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb mixed seafood (fish fillets, shrimp, crab)

• 2 ripe plantains, peeled and sliced

• 1 large yuca (cassava), peeled and cut into chunks

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 bell peppers, sliced

• 1 hot pepper (optional, adjust to taste)

• 4 cups coconut milk

• 2 cups fish or vegetable broth

• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Seafood: Clean and cut the fish into large chunks. Peel and devein the shrimp, and clean the crab if using whole.

2. Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and hot pepper (if using). Sauté until the onions are translucent.

3. Cook Root Vegetables: Add the yuca and sweet potatoes to the pot, stirring to mix with the sautéed vegetables. Cook for about 5 minutes.

4. Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the coconut milk and fish or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the yuca and sweet potatoes are almost tender, about 15-20 minutes.

5. Add Seafood and Plantains: Add the plantains and mixed seafood to the pot. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Stir gently to combine.

6. Cook Until Done: Let the stew simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the seafood is cooked through and the plantains are tender.

7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning if necessary. The stew should be rich and flavorful with a creamy consistency.

8. Serve: Ladle the Rondón into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro. Serve hot.

RECURSOS

• "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter" by Erika L. Sánchez is a compelling coming-of-age narrative that explores themes of loss, mourning, and the challenges of conforming to the unrealistic expectations of being the "ideal" Mexican daughter. Through this bestselling novel, Sánchez confronts stereotypes, societal pressures, and the paramount importance of authenticity, weaving a powerful and thought-provoking story about the pursuit of truth.

• Latino-owned businesses have the potential to add $1.4 trillion to the U.S. economy, but challenges like limited access to capital and cultural differences in financial practices need to be addressed through organizations like Accion and SBDC to unlock this potential for economic growth.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: Last Week’s Answer

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

The correct answer is…Roberto Clemente!

Roberto Clemente, a renowned baseball right fielder, was born on August 18, 1934, in Carolina, Puerto Rico. His career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, starting in 1955, was marked by exceptional fielding, powerful batting, and a deep commitment to humanitarian causes.

Clemente was celebrated for his athletic brilliance, being a 15-time All-Star and a two-time World Series champion. His most notable achievement came on September 30, 1972, when he became the first Latino player to join the prestigious 3,000 hits club in MLB.

Tragically, Clemente's life ended on December 31, 1972, in a plane crash during a humanitarian mission. His legacy continues as a symbol of sportsmanship and philanthropy.

NUESTRO TRIVIA: This Week!

Question: What is the name of the crop that originated in Perú and has since spread worldwide, boasting thousands of varieties and playing a vital role in culture, agriculture, and cuisine?

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

RIEGA LA VOZ

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