Three Latino Leaders Reflect on Inspiration Across Generations

Three Latino leaders, Nelson German, Julián Castro, and Sofia Carson, took the stage at TIME’s Latino Leaders dinner in Miami on Tuesday night to reflect on their personal journeys and the impact of their cultures. Each of the leaders shared stories of their upbringing and the people who inspired and supported them.

Nelson German, a chef and restaurateur of Dominican descent, spoke about growing up in Manhattan’s Washington Heights. He reflected on the pressure to assimilate and abandon his language and culture, but emphasized the importance of embracing one’s heritage. "We wanted to fit in so badly to reach that American dream," German said. "But now things have changed…We now are embracing those parts of ourselves more fully."

Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, shared his own story of growing up in San Antonio, Texas, and his admiration for Latinas and Latinos who achieved great things. He paid tribute to his grandmother Victoria, who raised him and his brother after their parents passed away, and his mother, who also raised them alone.

"I am sure that if we went around the room tonight, that that is a very common story here, and that each of you, like me, feels very fortunate and very blessed to have been able to achieve their dreams," Castro said.

Sofia Carson, an actor, singer, and advocate, also reflected on the women who raised and shaped her. She quoted the Latin-American author and Nobel Prize-winner in literature Gabriel García Márquez, saying, "To be a Latin woman is to be hope." She emphasized the importance of hope in the face of oppression, plundering, and abandonment, drawing inspiration from the works of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Chilean-American author Isabel Allende, and Cuban-American singer Celia Cruz.

"Hope lives in the DNA of who we are. It flows from our bloodstream into everything we touch. It is the beating of our hearts. It is the language of our soul," Carson said.

All three leaders stressed the importance of honoring their cultures and the sacrifices made by their parents and grandparents. They acknowledged the challenges faced by immigrant and Latino families in the United States, but expressed their belief that the success of Latinos is crucial for the nation's progress. The Latino Leaders dinner, presented by PepsiCo, highlighted the shared values and aspirations of these three influential Latino leaders.