Ever since I left my hometown in Queretaro, Mexico, building a place that feels like home in the U.S. has been an ongoing task. Today, the idea of home feels even further away because my father, an immigrant who spent almost two decades in the U.S., will be returning to Mexico. He bought a one-way ticket, not knowing that part of my heart will also be boarding the plane with him. Like him, I’m also undocumented, therefore leaving the U.S. legally, or traveling in and out of the country, is not an option for me. I will soon say goodbye to him, not knowing when I will see him again.
Author Archives: Brenda Fernanda Verano
Brenda Fernanda Verano is a journalist from South Central LA. At Caló News, Verano covers social justice, health care, and education. She is a senior at California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Editor in Chief of the campus newspaper, The Bulletin. Verano is also an intern reporter for EdSource and a two-time award winner in the California College Media Association. Outside of journalism, she enjoys gardening and poetry. If you have questions, concerns or corrections related to this story, please contact brenda@latinomedia.org.
Posted inHealth
National Diabetes Month: Program offers community care for Latino youth
November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the United States bring attention to this chronic and long-lasting health condition. Diabetes affects the way one’s body turns food into energy and, until this day, although it can be treated and controlled, there is no fundamental cure for it. One of the communities most affected by diabetes is Latinos. U.S. adults overall have a 40% chance of developing Type 2 diabetes over their lifetime. Latino adults have more than a 50% chance of being diabetic and are more likely to develop it at a younger age.
Posted inJustice
LA METRO fare hike will harm Latinos community activists warn
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority introduced a new plan that would restructure LA Metro fares. The Latino community is the largest ethnic group, representing 58% of LA Metro riders, in comparison to Black/African Americans representing 14% of riders, followed by 12% who are white and Latino organizers say the increases will harm the community.
Posted inAnti-Hate
United Against Hate Week, what you should know
The Los Angeles County United Against Hate Week ends on Nov. 19 and is intended to urge local communities, neighborhoods, and cities to reject hate and bigotry and promote inclusion. The annual event is part of LA vs. Hate – a project of the LA County Commission on Human Relations.
Posted inBusiness, Representation
MC Mayans actor RICHARD CABRAL and a partner launch Tepito Coffee
With every sip of the most popular hot drink in the world, Tepito Coffee is building cultural bridges for Latinos living on both sides of the international border which separates Mexico and the United States. For Mike De la Rocha and Richard Cabral, owners and founders of Tepito Coffee, coffee is one of the forefronts in a fight to empower their communities. Cabral is an Emmy-nominated actor, producer and writer. He is best known for his roles on the show “Mayans M.C.” (FX, HULU) and the ABC television series “American Crime.” De la Rocha is a community organizer, musician and entrepreneur.
Posted inLA Elections
HENRY PEREZ, and his social justice group ask Kevin de León to resign
Kevin De León has served as the LA City council member for District 14 since 2020 and said his resignation is not an option. “I have a moral obligation to my constituency, to give them a voice,” he told Smiley. But for Henry Perez, associate director of Inner City Struggle, a social justice non-profit organization in CD-14, de León no longer represents the community of the Eastside.
Posted inLA Elections
CALÓ RECAP: LA City Hall scandal, BLM, Oaxacans react and more
It’s been two weeks since the nation’s second-largest city was overshadowed by the audio recording that captured openly crude and racist remarks involving former Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, LA Labor Federation president, Ron Herrera, and councilmembers Kevin de León and Gil Cedillo. It is still unknown who recorded the private conversation that took place last October while discussing the redrawing of districts. CALÓ NEWS has gathered important updates and events that have occurred and been brought to life amidst the content of the audio, which was first published by the LA Times.
Posted inJustice
Commission on the State of Hate seeks to reduce hate crimes in CA
One of the biggest problems when it comes to hate crimes is the reporting of such crimes and the inaccurate data of hate-driven incidents in the state of California. The attorney general’s office stated that the California Department of Justice recognizes the data presented in its reports may not adequately reflect the actual number of hate crime events that have occurred. There are two appointees on the commission from LA: Bamby Salcedo, 53, and Dr. Erroll G. Southers, 65. Salcedo is the president and chief executive officer of the TransLatin@ Coalition, which advocates for transgender and gender nonconforming and Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in LA. In 2021, Bamby visited the White House to speak on the issues of safety, inclusion and opportunities for transgender individuals. She was the HIV and Health Education Services project coordinator from 2007 to 2015 and the Transgender Harm Reduction project coordinator from 2007 to 2009, both at Children’s Hospital, LA.
Posted inHealth
BIBIANA MARTINEZ, on Latinos Contra El Cancer and saving lives
Latinos Contra El Cancer operates in Los Angeles as a chapter of the American Cancer Society, and focuses on helping Latinos combat and survive cancer in communities like LA. The organization specializes in supporting Latinos suffering from cancer and helps them find medical and financial resources no matter immigration status or financial status, according to the group’s website. These resources range from hosting virtual meetings with health experts on topics – such as breast cancer, cancer screenings and coping with the loss of a loved one.
Posted inPolitics
Senate Bill 1387, UCLA LPPI seek Latino equity in Executive office
The California Latino Legislative Caucus, HOPE, UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (UCLA LPPI ), and California State Senator, Monique Limón, believe the state’s political appointments must deeply reflect the state’s population. They fear the underrepresentation of Latinos in executive branch appointments can have severe repercussions for the future of the state’s civic engagement, public trust and equitable policy development
Posted inmedia
Latino Media Collaborative hosts Latino Media Summit 2022 in LA, launches CALÓ NEWS website
The Latino Media Collaborative hosted the organization’s inaugural Latino Media Summit on September 22 in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a Mexican-American museum and cultural center, was home to the summit and the launch of the CALÓ NEWS website. CALÓ NEWS is a site dedicated to the coverage of Latinos, written for English-speaking audiences in LA and California. It is also a news initiative of LMC, which began 25 weeks ago as a weekly newsletter.
Posted inJustice
BAMBY SALCEDO, LA group protects Transgender Latinas
Governor Gavin Newsom announced his five appointments to the Commission on the State of Hate, one of them being Trans Latina activist and community leader, Bamby Salcedo. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC), Salcedo guides the nationally recognized organization which advocates for Transgender and Gender nonconforming and Intersex (TGI) immigrant women in Los Angeles.