“My Spanish and Puerto Rican heritage is why I am now a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader, and more importantly, how I found my life’s purpose in empowering those in need,” added Ariana.
“I credit my passion and gift for dance to my family, including my great-grandmother, Teresita Larrea Moreno, who was a classical Spanish dancer from southern Spain. My grandmother laughs. I am the reincarnated version of her, having been born the same .The year she passed away My creative performances for the Eagles Cheerleaders auditions included a flamenco dance performance in her honor.
“Not only can I attribute my love of dance to my Hispanic heritage, but more importantly, it has allowed me to live out my life’s purpose; to use my passion to make a positive impact on the world through the unique platform in who I stand as an Eagles Cheerleader From supporting our military to raising funds for the Eagles Autism Foundation, I have the opportunity to empower others and support those in need.
“My Hispanic heritage has definitely led to my passion and gift for dance, and the Eagles organization allows me to pass that on for the benefit of others.”
Another key message in these responses was love. Not just love for family. But the love of the surrounding community in the journey these ladies have made.
Growing up part African-American and part Hispanic, some of the women declared their blessings to have friends of both cultures surrounding them and helping them along the way. In doing so, they were able to find themselves – and what was important to them.
“Growing up in a mixed Hispanic and Black family was nothing short of heartwarming. Family was and always will be everything. It was instilled in me and my siblings at a young age that our culture and beliefs are what will get you through this life. On a traditional Saturday morning, we wake up to the sound of Latin music and the hum of the vacuum on the floor. Mi madre, moving her hips from side to side, not knowing a lick of Spanish, but understanding every word. mother who is Hispanic but spoke very little, I learned a lot of Spanish in school and through conversations with my Hispanic friends who didn’t speak English,” Shardae said.
“Growing up, there weren’t a lot of half-African-American, half-Hispanic people in Philly that I knew of,” Taylor said. “Fortunately, Philly is very diverse and is also known as the City of Brotherly Love. I was still able to maintain my Spanish roots with many other Hispanics in my community. My mom spoke little to no Spanish, so I always I loved visiting friends and other places to learn Spanish and learn from my own and other Spanish cultures.Being able to not only be a role model for young African American girls, but also for half the kids Hispanic/half black is more than rewarding because they will always have someone who looks like them and someone to look up to.”
Victoria is a first-generation American. Her mother was born to a single teenager in the South American country of Guyana, which has Caribbean culture. Her father, Steven, who is of African American and Puerto Rican descent, did not know his father because he was killed serving our country in Vietnam. Victoria says there was a part of him that was missing by not having that connection to his Hispanic culture.
“I grew up knowing my dad was Hispanic, but also wasn’t raised around it, so I never fully identified with being Puerto Rican,” Victoria said. “I never sat down to think about what my life would have been like if I had grown up with my Hispanic culture. I now realize that to truly understand my journey, I must first understand where I come from. This question has encouraged me to I was learning more about my Hispanic heritage/culture and it challenged me to think about how race and culture are interconnected.
“Our roots stretch far beyond what you grow up being aware of,” is something my father, Steven, told me.
