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Author Archives: Jasmine Contreras

Jasmine Contreras is a freelance writer who grew up in Wilmington, Calif., and received a journalism degree at California State University, Dominguez Hills. She gravitates to news, features, and lifestyle stories. She aims at writing stories for underrepresented communities and individuals. Her other interest includes keeping up with the latest theme park company news.
Posted inRepresentation

Latino organizations and culinary experts demand representation in industry leadership roles

by Jasmine Contreras

Last month, The Latino Restaurant Association (LRA) along with the support of culinary experts and Latino organizations, signed and sent a letter to the non-profit culinary organization, the James Beard Foundation (JBF), asking for a change in their leadership roles.
In JBF’s leadership roles, Latino organizations, and culinary professionals have noticed that there is no equal and proportional representation of Latinos on their Board of Trustees.

Posted inEducation

A lawsuit against Temecula Valley Unified School District’s ban on the teaching of certain concepts such as Critical Race Theory

by Jasmine Contreras

On August 2, parents, students, teachers and the Temecula Valley Educators Association (TVEA) filed a lawsuit against the Temecula Valley Unified School District’s (TVUSD) Board of Trustees for a resolution they passed in December 2022. In this resolution, the Board decided to ban the teaching of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and similar concepts for grades K-12 in TVUSD. 

Posted inCulture

Bryan Alfaro, winner of CALÓ NEWS LAFC game ticket giveaway

by Jasmine Contreras

ryan Alfaro was scrolling through social media, he noticed that one of his college grad school friends shared an article she wrote for CALÓ NEWS. Intrigued by the story, Alfaro visited the website and soon realized he had an interest in CALÓ NEWS. As a follower of CALÓ NEWS’s Instagram, Alfaro noticed that CALÓ NEWS was giving away two tickets to a Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) game. To be eligible for the drawing, website visitors and readers had to sign up and subscribe to the news site’s newsletter. Alfaro decided to give it a shot.

Posted inImmigration

International Institute of Los Angeles helps refugees, low-income families and immigrants

by Jasmine Contreras

In June, people from all over the world honor those who have left their home countries to outrun violence, abuse or persecution. They honor, observe and celebrate World Refugee Day.This international day was first celebrated on June 20, 2001, and its purpose is to bring awareness to the challenges and threats faced by refugees who seek safety in a new country and to show support for them.

Posted inRepresentation

MARIA TWENA, author of animated series about Latino families navigating two worlds, two cultures

by Jasmine Contreras

Growing up as the daughter of a Spanish father and a Cuban mother, (Lopez) Twena soon realized how different her life was compared to others who surrounded her. Living in a non-Hispanic neighborhood in New Orleans but born in Miami, Florida, Twena noticed the differences growing up in a Hispanic household compared to her life outside of her home, specifically when she first started primary school. Eventually, she landed on the idea of MariVi: The Master Navigator, a book series created and written by Twena. 

Posted inRepresentation

CALÓ ON THE STREET: What does Cinco de Mayo mean to you?

by Jasmine Contreras

Cinco de Mayo, a yearly celebration, is often celebrated by going out with friends and family to eat and enjoy Mexican food, drink alcoholic beverages and enjoy some live entertainment. However, many people tend to commemorate this day by partying and drinking and are unaware of the actual event behind this holiday. A historical event that took place in a city in Mexico known as Puebla.

Posted inRepresentation

Brookings Institution report on Black and Latino-majority cities in the U.S.

by Jasmine Contreras

In a Brookings Institution report released on in January, titled “Recognizing Black and Latino-majority cities is the first step to finding a real world Wakanda,” authors Andre M. Perry and Manann Donoghoe of Brookings Metro made a connection between the film and ways Black and Brown people socialize and build community. Perry and Donoghoe wanted the report to reveal how there are cities where the majority of the population are Black and Latinos, it can signify cooperation between the marginalized groups. However, the report stated how it has not always been easy for racial coalitions to occur, and refers to the Los Angeles City Council scandal.

Posted inEquity

CALÓ Q&A: Dr. Fernando Guerra, founder of Center for the Study of LA

by Jasmine Contreras

Growing up in Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, Dr. Fernando Guerra was no stranger to understanding politics and issues that arise in the city. After high school, Dr. Guerra attended the University of Southern California, where he received his bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Science. He furthered his education by earning his master’s degree and doctorate of philosophy in Political Science at the University of Michigan. Dr. Guerra is the founding director of LMU’s Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA), which opened in 1996 in reaction to 1992 LA/Rodney King uprisings. Riots. The undergraduate center focuses on public opinion research on LA. StudyLA has been researching groups in LA, such as Latinos, to further understand the issues they face in the city and to help effect social change.