ESCUCHA
TESTIMONIOS: FREE ARCHIVE + GUIDED CURRICULUM
What are testimonios? First-person narratives where members of the Latino community share their lived experiences, immigration journeys, work stories, family histories, and cultural identities. Real people. Real Spanish. Real lives. We're building a permanent archive that amplifies these voices and honors how each experience is unique: Arisbeth from Oaxaca, Dina, who discovered teaching, Miguel sharing traditions from Mexico, and many more from Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, and throughout Latin America.
FREE FOR EVERYONE:
- Watch all testimonios
- Share with others
- Use for teaching, research, or personal learning
GUIDED CURRICULUM (SUBSCRIBERS):
- Linguistic support (vocabulary, grammar explanations)
- Cultural context (immigration experiences, country backgrounds)
- Learning activities (listen → connect → question → create → reflect)
- Create your own children's books inspired by testimonios and give back to the community
Everyone can learn from these voices. Subscribers get structured guidance to maximize their Spanish learning and cultural understanding.
TEACHING, FEEDING, DREAMING
Dina: Maestra de Español
Dina found her calling in the classroom, where she prioritizes the human connection and emotional well-being of her students above all else. She came to the U.S. through a cultural exchange program that prepared her for the intense feelings of loneliness that followed the initial "period of infatuation" with the new country. Although she initially viewed teaching as a part-time complement to another profession, she ultimately chose to stay and pursue her career, finding such immense joy in her teaching work that she describes her vocation as a paid vacation.
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Adolfo y la Panaderia Royal
Running Panadería Royal is a demanding, 365-day-a-year business that began with Adolfo working 24-hour shifts, always striving to meet the constant customer demand for "pan caliente" (hot bread). The bakery serves a diverse clientele from many countries, including customers from El Salvador and Honduras, and Americans who often find the bread "very, very cheap". For Latino customers, however, the bakery offers more than just baked goods; it is a place where they feel a powerful connection to their heritage and home.
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Berenice: La Oaxaqueña
Driven by the desire for a better future for her children, this Oaxacan entrepreneur came to Greensboro many years ago. She navigated working in factories, alongside construction crews, and eight years as a cashier, where she learned to operate the tortilla machine while pregnant, before opening Tortillería La Oaxaqueña with her family. She is giving her children the opportunity to learn the business, but emphasizes the importance of education so they can pursue professional careers and avoid the grueling physical labor of construction.
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"Mi bisabuelo solo tenía solo un sombrero y lo tenía roto." - My great-grandfather had only one sombrero and it was ripped.
"Berenice, a Latina storyteller from Oaxaca, México, lights up when she talks about the special moments she shared with her great-grandfather growing up."
CROSSING BORDERS, BUILDING LIVES
Estrella: The Hair Salon
Estrella describes her vocation as one that requires constant interest and a love for learning, a commitment she believes is the mark of a "good hairdresser." Her salon has become a true community hub, serving the entire family, from babies to men, women, and children, from a broad range of backgrounds, including African-Americans, Caucasian families, and Hispanics. Her international clientele, drawing customers from Brazil, Colombia, and Central America, includes long-time patrons who will travel a great distance to receive her trusted service.
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Arisbeth: Los Sombreros
Arisbeth shares the story of her family, proudly introducing her husband and three young children. Her narrative uses traditional items like the charro sombrero and charra shirt, used by mariachis and riders, to draw a powerful comparison between life in Oaxaca and the United States. She recounts an anecdote about her great-grandfather, who had to mend his single hat due to poverty, contrasting this with her ability to provide more for her own family today. Her testimony highlights the greater economic opportunities available in the U.S.
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Nora: Las Empanadas
This Argentine engineer's journey at the farmer's market began with sweet tarts but soon pivoted to savory quiches and, eventually, Argentine empanadas after realizing customers needed quick, homemade meals. Her business is much more than a transaction; it is a "super strong experience" and a community hub where people share their life stories, their joys and their sorrows, with her. She finds fulfillment in cooking, seeing the enjoyment on her customers' faces, and developing trust by using fresh, local ingredients.
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BETWEEN LANGUAGES, BETWEEN WORLDS
Anna: La Música
With a lifelong love for music, Anna shares a story shaped by collaboration and cultural exchange. She began playing piano at eight and later explored many styles and instruments from around the world. Growing up in Canada with Peruvian roots, her music reflects her experiences living and creating across different countries. As both a musician and an anthropologist, Anna sees music as a language beyond words, and she designs her performances to be welcoming and meaningful for people of all ages. She hopes her songs bring joy to those who listen.
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Rauzel: Activista Social
After being detained at the Buffalo airport, Rauzel’s life changed suddenly, placing his freedom, family, and future at risk. Originally from Guerrero, Mexico, he has built a life in the United States over the past fifteen years as a husband, father, and community activist. Drawing from his own experience as an undocumented immigrant, Rauzel works to educate and support others, encouraging them to step out of fear and understand their rights. His story speaks to resilience, love for family, and a deep commitment to fighting for dignity and belonging within his community.
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Ana Maria: Las Noticias
As the only Latina at her Fox News station in North Carolina, Ana Bonell noticed a significant lack of information about the diversity of the Latino community. She observed that people often incorrectly assumed all Latinos were Mexican, struggling to categorize her as a Colombian. She started a program to showcase the variety of Latin American professional and cultural contributions, reflecting how diverse the community truly is. She stresses the importance of maintaining one's heritage while adapting to a new life in the U.S.
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CARRYING HOME ACROSS BORDERS
Mi Pais: Ecuador
We are introduced to a thoughtful Ecuadorian who explores the essential lessons different cultures can offer one another. She identifies that Latinos could benefit from adopting American punctuality, organization, and seriousness in business, noting that Latinos are often "badly accustomed" to being a "half hour later". Conversely, Americans can learn from the Latino spirit of being more open-minded, willing to converse, and highly social. She emphasizes that no culture is better or worse, but that differences arise from varied climates, governments, and systems of life, allowing all to learn from one another.
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Miguel: Rosca de Reyes
Miguel shares a cherished tradition that defines the Mexican and Latino holiday calendar: the celebration of Three Kings' Day on January 6th, which is their equivalent of Santa Claus. He explains the cutting of the Rosca de Reyes (King's Ring), a sweet bread with dried fruit, which is shared annually in a family gathering. The person who finds one of the seven hidden dolls inside the cake assumes the honorable responsibility of hosting a tamaliza (tamale dinner) for the entire family on February 2nd, continuing a tradition that unites generations and demonstrates community.
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Mi Pais: Puerto Rico
We are introduced to a fresh perspective on what Puerto Ricans value most in the mainland U.S. Hear about the excitement for a distinct seasonal change, particularly the experience of a true winter that is absent back home. You will also learn about the contrast between the long, connecting road system, like the I-95, which allows travel across many states to see family and friends, with the relatively confined travel space of Puerto Rico, which can be crossed in hours. Finally, despite the appreciation for the seasons, we are reminded of the beauty of spending time at the beach any time of year.
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MOTHERS, FATHERS, GENERATIONS
Ana: Estudiar en España
Ana, a native of Santander, offers a warm and insightful guide to the cultural heart of Spain. She immediately plunges into a discussion of time, emphasizing that for students, "hours are lived differently" than in the U.S., detailing the late Spanish schedule of 2:00 PM lunches and 10:00 PM dinners. Ana paints a picture of a welcoming culture: a place where citizens are affectionate, warm, and highly social, often seen embracing and connecting. She explains that since housing is expensive and small, the social world moves outside, creating a vibrant public life centered on family, where grandparents often care for grandchildren.
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Raúl y Zoila: Tradiciones
Raul and Zoila share a nostalgic look at their upbringing, centered on the role of the Catholic Church in their small town. Raul recounts a childhood anecdote about a priest in their hometown who would scoop up children mid-errand, even if they were carrying their mother's tortillas for lunch, to take them to class, leaving the tortillas to get cold. They reflect on how the strict discipline of those days helped forge their identity, a sense of heritage that feels less defined today due to the blend of cultures in the U.S. They note that the local Catholic church now serves as a vibrant, multilingual hub for Spanish speakers from many nations.
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Marina: El Periódico
Marina shares the story of her community newspaper, which grew from a news source to a vital hub of connection, forging a "super-strong bond" with its readers through activities and events. Her team noticed that the immigrant's life often lacks a true space for "joy and relaxation," a void they filled by creating large annual events like "Por una Vida Mejor" and "La Posada Navideña," designed for family enjoyment. She explains that the hardest task for any newcomer is the internal struggle to "feel part of something," especially for her typical reader: a first-generation immigrant who has settled to raise their bilingual children.
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DREAMING IN TWO COUNTRIES
Los Cobanos
A native of El Salvador who first saw the ocean at Los Cóvanos, this entrepreneur was inspired to achieve a success level that would become the "floor" for her children. Running her own business has given her a broader perspective on the needs of the Latino community and allowed her family to spend more time together. She challenges the notion that business ownership is primarily for men and encourages women to use their full intellectual potential.
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El Mercadito
With a deep love for cooking, the staff of El Mercadito shares the delicious and traditional flavors of Mexico and their community. They detail the time and ingredients required for specialties like mole, made with three chiles, peanuts, and seeds, which takes up to two and a half hours to prepare. They are proud to serve their customers and take joy in their work, even in the demanding parts. They also ensure the staff is welcoming and tries to help customers learn Spanish.
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Quinceañera
At Casa de Novias, customers find the dresses and suits for the most significant life events in the Latino community. They specialize in the typical quinceañera celebration. A customer explains that, having grown up as the eldest daughter in a poor country without the resources for her own quinceañera, her passion is now about giving her daughter what she lacked. They sell beautiful charro suits and provide services for weddings and baptisms.
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WHAT WE LEAVE, WHAT WE CARRY
María: Día de los Muertos
María, an immigrant from Mexico City, shares how she preserves her rich cultural heritage by teaching her children the traditions she learned from her parents and grandparents. She describes the profound significance of Día de Muertos, explaining how she prepares altars with flowers and favorite foods to welcome the spirits of ancestors who return to enjoy the aromas of the feast. Her faith is central to her life, from hosting traveling rosaries and attending biblical courses at Santa María to celebrating the Divino Niño with community festivals and music. Through these rituals, whether parting the Rosca de Reyes on January 6th or lulling the Baby Jesus to sleep on Christmas Eve, María maintains a vibrant connection to her roots and her community.
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Lucila: Mis Alfajores
Lucila, a native of Argentina, shares the inspiring journey of her business, which she built around the alfajor, a traditional cookie that is a cornerstone of Argentine culture. She describes how she began baking these dulce de leche-filled treats at home for her children to keep them connected to their roots, eventually growing the project into a thriving Chicago-based company. Lucila details the meticulous process of perfecting her mother’s recipes, creating unique varieties like dark chocolate with orange and white Belgian chocolate with almond. Her story is one of perseverance and cultural pride, as she seeks to offer the American consumer a "space for joy" through a product that represents the history, passion, and daily life of her homeland.
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España: Historia de Amor
España, a native of Guayaquil, Ecuador, recounts the unexpected journey that led her to build a life in the United States. Originally visiting New York on a whim during a college vacation, her plans to become a psychologist changed forever when she met her husband, Roberto. She shares the challenges of their early years, including a difficult period living in the Dominican Republic and the resilience required to start over once more. Now a successful real estate agent, España emphasizes the importance of optimism, honesty, and mental activity, proving that with a "can-do" spirit, any door can be opened. Her ultimate goal remains keeping her family close together, living her dream of shared proximity and constant support while continuing to grow professionally.
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ROOTS THAT TRAVEL
Casa Don Lupe
The story of Casa Don Lupe is a tale of perseverance and the fulfillment of a family dream that crosses borders. Lupe was born in the United States but was raised and educated in Mexico. He describes the challenge of returning to the U.S. without mastering the language, facing his first major cultural barrier. After a failed attempt to join his parents' established business, he decided to forge his own path, teaching himself English through an intensive "self-study" course of daily work and constant struggle. Today, armed with expertise in cooking and business administration, he celebrates the realization of a shared dream: establishing a business that not only offers food but also represents the great pride of his heritage.
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Joelle: Fair Trade
Joelle, who has served as the director for eight years, explains how her store operates as a fair trade organization, in a city known for its beautiful seasons and welcoming atmosphere. Shoppers like the New York-native narrator visit the store to find unique, affordable gifts from different countries, recently purchasing an anniversary gift for her husband. More than just a retail space, the mission focuses on supporting families in various countries, specifically helping mothers who are working hard to raise and educate their children under difficult circumstances. Through this cycle of fair trade, the local community helps provide vital resources and education that benefit entire families across the globe.
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Azucena
Azucena invites you to dive into the richness of Mexican gastronomy with a piece of warm advice: don't be afraid to order your favorite dishes in Spanish to experience a more authentic connection to the culture. She recommends starting your meal with an "aguacate." For those seeking true tradition, she suggests the "carnitas de puerco" served alongside "pico de gallo" to make the flavors truly pop. Beyond the food, Azucena emphasizes that "servicio al cliente" is her top priority, ensuring that everyone who walks through her doors feels as though they are in their own home. Finally, she reminds us that a simple "vaso de agua" is the perfect companion to enjoy every bite, completing a table filled with tradition and care.
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