Episode 17: DACA Recipient Goes From Homeless to Grammy Winner
America's Dreamers
My guest today is , 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 which was lead by composer 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...
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Episode 16: DACA Dreamer Goes from Burger King to TOP CHEF!
America's Dreamers
My guest today is , 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 ! 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...
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Episode 15: Latina Pivots from News to Tech
America's Dreamers
Today I’m chatting with a former news gal: Corina Hierro () who is now a tech entrepreneur. Corina left the news business and became a founding member of the job-finding app called “” 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...
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Episode 14: DACA Recipient Dedicates Book to Dreamers
America's Dreamers
My guest today is the author of the first Children’s picture book written by a DACA Dreamer. Her name is Areli Morales, () 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...
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Episode 13: DACA Lawyer’s Supreme Court Victory
America's Dreamers
My guest today went from Undocumented to the Supreme Court! – 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 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...
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Episode 12: DACA “Dreamer” Runs 100 Marathons
America's Dreamers
My guest today is Jocelyn Rivas (), 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...
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Episode 11: DACA Olympian Making History
America's Dreamers
My guest today is a track and field star who made history at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Luis Grijalva () is one of the fastest people on the planet but almost didn’t get a chance to compete because of his immigration status. He’s a DACA recipient who was brought to the U.S. from Guatemala when he was a year old. Luis grew up in Northern California and went to Northern Arizona University and he’s now competing as a professional runner. Because he’s a DACA recipient, competing for the USA wasn’t an option, but given his birth– he was able to compete for Guatemala. And winning a spot...
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Episode 10: Latina Founder of the Queer Gym
America's Dreamers
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ History month! Today’s episode features a guest who highlights the importance of both celebrations this October 2021. Nathalie Huerta made history as the Latina founder of The Queer Gym, the first LGBTQ Gym in the US. She’s made it her mission to help clients gain the support they need and feel comfortable while working out without the judgement they may face at regular gyms. FIRST: In this episode, Nathalie shares what it’s like to grow up in a large Mexican-American family in California. She’s one of 10 kids! And how her parents...
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Episode 9: From Farmworker to NASA Astronaut
America's Dreamers
My guest today is a literal example of reaching for the stars! went from working in the fields with his parents up and down California to becoming the first Mexican-American NASA Astronaut. In 2009, he was part of the STS-128 mission on board the Space Shuttle, Discovery. FIRST: Jose shares his 6-ingredient recipe for success that helped him land his nearly impossible dream of going to space! It took him 12 tries! He tells us why he didn't give up and what finally got him accepted into NASA. Jose has broken many barriers but is also honest about both the physical and mental hurdles...
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Episode 8: DACA Harvard Grad Breaking Barriers
America's Dreamers
The first episode of 2021! Get ready to be inspired by ’s unprecedented career that has broken many barriers and paved the way for countless others in her community. She went from undocumented to the ivy league when she beat the odds and got into HARVARD! Back then she was one of the first undocumented students to ever do that. FIRST: We discuss her educational journey. Gloria shares the sacrifices, tears and hard work that it took to get into the Ivy League. Including the moment she was once told, "Mexican girls don’t go to Harvard.” Against all odds, she proved she could. And she...
info_outlineMy 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!