America's Dreamers America Arias

My guest today is Denzel Mendoza, a Dreamer who went from being homeless on the streets of New York to becoming a GRAMMY award winning trombonist.
He was one of 50 undoumented artists who took part in the jazz album called “AMERICAN DREAMERS– VOICES OF HOPE, MUSIC AND FREEDOM” which was lead by composer John Daversa and took home 3 Grammys back in 2019. 
Denzel was born in Singapore and came to the US at age 5. And then when he was nine years old, his father left the country and abandoned him along with his mother and sister. It happened just two months before his entire family was set to get permanent residency… 
leaving him undocumented. 
Denzel has a new digital album out now called “ILLEGAL SON” where he pours out his undocumented experience through this music. 
FIRST: In this episode– Denzel chats about fatherhood and dealing with family trauma and the impact his dad’s departure had on his life. 
THEN: He shares the ups and downs of chasing a music career in NYC and how he ended up in Portland– and how he picked himself off the streets and got on the road–sharing his music and story all over the United States.
AND FINALLY: How winning a grammy has changed his life, and what he’s up to now. 
I would love your feedback! We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers! Or you can tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing the show, it’s a cost-free way to support this content. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you.

My guest today is Chef Byron Gomez, who’s re-defining what it means to be American… one delicious dish at a time! He’s a DACA Dreamer who went from breaking change at Burger King…. to working at Michelin Star restaurants alongside some world-renowned chefs like Daniel Boulud, Ronny Emboruy, and others… to recently getting selected to be on the Bravo TV show TOP CHEF!
Chef Byron came to the US from Costa Rica when he was 8 years old and grew up in Long Island, New York before moving to Colorado. 
FIRST: Chef Byron shares the impact DACA has had on his culinary career, as well as the struggles along the way including working at restaurants for free just to get a bite to eat when money was tight. 
THEN: How he got a shot to be on the show TOP CHEF in the middle of the pandemic. What he learned and why you might see on TV again soon!
ALSO: We get into what he’s up to now. He recently left his job as executive chef at 7908 Aspen Supper club… and he now wants to meet you and cook for you?
AND FINALLY: Chef Byron shares his tips to become a star in your own kitchen… some helpful steps to get started if you finally want to learn how to cook or bake!
I would love your feedback! We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers! Or you can tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing the show, it’s a cost-free way to support this content. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you.

Today I’m chatting with a former news gal: Corina Hierro (@CorinaHierro) who is now a tech entrepreneur.  Corina left the news business and became a founding member of the job-finding app called “Chamba” which helps Latinos find jobs by connecting them directly to employers ready to hire!
FIRST: Corina talks about coming to the USA from Mexico and how she got into the News industry and why she decided to leave and start something new in the middle of the pandemic!
THEN: We talk about getting over fear and uncertainty and starting over with your career and life. And how you can find your purpose and passion. 
AND FINALLY: Only 2% of people working in tech are Latinas and Corina shares some tips on breaking into the male-dominated industry. And how she’s creating impact in her community through Chamba– an app by latinos for latinos. 
I would love your feedback!  Find me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing our show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 
We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers 
I’ve posted a link there to download the app if you’re interested!

My guest today is the author of the first Children’s picture book written by a DACA Dreamer. Her name is Areli Morales, (@AreliNYC) and she’s a DACA recipient and school teacher. In her book, “Areli is a Dreamer” she shares her experience uprooting from Mexico and moving to New York as a little girl. 
FIRST: In this episode, we get into how a failed opportunity landed Areli a huge second chance to publish this book! 
THEN: Areli will share 5 amazing tips if you’re interested in writing and publishing your own book one day. 
AND FINALLY: We get into what allies– especially teachers in the classroom– can do to support undocumented students or those living in mixed immigration households. 
I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 
We now have an instagram account for this podcast– go give us some love– we’re at @AmericasDreamers 
I’ve posted a link there to buy her book if you’re interested!

My guest today went from Undocumented to the Supreme Court! Luis Cortes Romero– is an immigration lawyer, advocate, and Dreamer who was part of the team that successfully defended the DACA Program before the U.S. Supreme Court and won.  
Luis was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when he was just 2 years old and grew up in California's Bay Area. He’s currently a partner at NOVO LEGAL GROUP in the Seattle area. 
FIRST: We discuss the route that took him to argue before the nation’s highest court to protect the legal program that allowed him to become an attorney in the first place!
THEN: Luis gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what it was like during the arguments before the Supreme Court Justices. And a look at the unique team– including one unlikely conservative key player who joined the effort to win the case. 
AND FINALLY: What he says immigration advocacy looks like right now during a Biden administration. And what activists should be focusing on right now?
I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. 

My guest today is Jocelyn Rivas (@JoselintheWarrior), a #DACA recipient who holds the Guinness World Records for both the youngest PERSON and the youngest WOMAN to run 100 marathons! Picture that: That’s running 26.2 miles 100 times over!  Jocelyn came to the U.S. from El Salvador when she was 6 years old, and grew up in Los Angeles, California.  
FIRST: In this episode, she shares her miraculous birth story. She was born with a medical condition that left her with broken feet. How she defied doctors who thought she’d never walk– let alone run! 
THEN: She shares what inspired her to start running, and why she decided to break two world records. When she’s not running, Jocelyn works in tech and we discuss how she navigates working in such a male-dominated industry. And she shares her tips to go after your dream no matter who crazy or unreasonable it may be. 
AND FINALLY:  We chat about why running forced her to go vegan and why she’s not done yet with pushing the limits of her running– and her advice if you’re hoping to run your first race this year!  
I would love your feedback!  Tag me on instagram (@AmericaArias) and twitter at (@AmericaArias) and use the hashtag #AmericasDreamers
Please support this podcast by rating and reviewing my show. I would really appreciate a 5-star rating! And let me know if you have any guest suggestions! I’d love to hear from you. Gracias!