LATINAFest empowers and amplifies Latina voices

For its sixth annual outdoor event, LATINAFest brought together some of the most powerful and influential Latinas for an all-day event of vendors, food and activities at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes on March 24.

The festival is co-founded by Bel Hernandez Castillo, who is the founder and CEO of Latin Heat Media, and Naibe Reynoso, a Mexican American multi-Emmy award-winning journalist, who say they are committed to empowering and uplifting the Latina community. They state that their mission with LATINAFest is to promote diversity and inclusivity and to amplify the Latina voice. 

“LATINAFest is so important because in L.A. County, almost 50 percent of the population is Latino, and we know that it’s the women that really are the driving force in our community and the economic driving force,” Reynoso said. ”So, why don’t we have a day that celebrates us? We should have a LATINAFest, and I’m so happy this is our sixth year, and it’s one of many, many more.”

The festival enjoyed a full house, featuring many vendors that were selling a variety of goods, like homemade candles, clothes, make-up, stickers and more. The Spanglish Kids were one of the vendors at the event. Martha and Maribel Villatoro, who both grew up in Los Angeles, run the business together. They are sisters with parents who immigrated from Mexico with completely different experiences but ended up together in L.A. “We got our entrepreneurial spirit from our parents, who opened a bakery in the late 1970s. As first-generation children of immigrants, our story is similar to that of so many around us, but we wanted to create a brand that would speak to our children - The Spanglish Kids,” they said.

Martha also said that she loves LATINAFest because it helps the women in the Latina community and with her business. The Spanglish Kids mission is to elevate cultura through their brand of tees and accessories. They are also dedicated to raising the next generation of Spanglish kids. 

She told CALÓ News that these events are crucial to her because, growing up, she didn’t have the role models she needed. “It’s important to represent those role models for the young generations that come up. And that’s what happens at LATINAFest is that everyone meets, and the vibe is just very positive,” she said. 

The festival exhibitors were able to make the festival come alive with their culturally relevant, and beautifully crafted products. Some of the sponsors for this year's festival were Chase Bank, Neutrogena, Telemundo, Magnolia, Empowered with Gina and many more. 

Teresa Miranda was part of the staff working at the Neutrogena booth. Neutrogena is one of the big brands at the festival, an American company that produces cosmetics, skincare, and hair care products.  “LATINAFest is important for our community because it brings all of us together as a community and a big family, We are also able to share and support each other's journeys,” Miranda said.

Ardell, well-known for their false eyelashes, was another big brand at the festival. Their product has been worn and loved by celebrities, makeup artists and beauty lovers around the world.

Zitlaly Esparza was part of the Cantaritos by Jarritos booth. “We have a lot of empowered women today. We have businesses, boutiques, make-up, skin care and also drinks for everyone to drink,” she said.

The event also offered many amazing activities, such as LATINAFest fashion show​, kids corner, author readings, limpias, financial talks, massages, sip and paint and dance lessons. The talk show featured influential Latinas like actress Lisa Vidal, chef Jenny Martinez, actress Diana Maria Riva and activist and social media influencer Flor Martinez Zaragoza.

Vidal told CALÓ News that LATINAFest is so important to our community and the women in our community because it empowers, encourages, unites, educates and most importantly, brings Latinas together. “It’s important for us to be a united front and show solidarity and support for each other in our comunidad,” she said.

Zaragoza is a 27-year-old activist and influencer known for her Instagram account @flowerinspanish, where she has 239,000 followers. She is also an undocumented immigrant with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status and is known for her activist work with farm workers and DACA recipients.

Zaragoza told CALÓ News that LATINAFest for her is all about comunidad. “Juntas somos más, and don’t forget your power. We are the driving force holding this country together and our mujeres are the decision makers in our community. So, here we are, coming together, networking and building esa comunidad that is very needed especially during times like this," she said. “So, shout out to LATINAFest for bringing us together, porque juntas somos más. ¡Si se puede!”