Images: Daniel Hermosillo for CNK Daily; Graphics: Karis Merritt for CNK Daily

The 15th of September marks the beginning of LatinX Heritage Month.

This month is dedicated to celebrating the independence of ​​Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile. Not only that, it's a month-long celebration of the contributions and influence of Latin Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. As we get closer to the 15th, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to a woman who is championing change with the help of a dope team of creatives. This past June, we met Debbie Gonzales in the heart of Los Angeles’ Highland Park community to break bread and talk about the importance of community, identity within LatinX culture, the gentrification that’s plaguing LA, and what she looks forward to in the future. 

If you aren’t familiar with Mexican-American creative Debbie Gonzales allow us to introduce her. She is the Creative Director for Kids of Immigrants, a brand that revolves around the idea of telling the immigrant story while both supporting the immigrant community and spreading love to those around. Through her role, she has dabbled into a bit of everything from event production to community outreach because the community is everything. In addition, she also helps run and market her family’s hot sauce company El Chilito. Like many brands, Kids of Immigrants began as a venture between friends to spread a message and share a story. However, over its 5-year history, it has evolved into so much more than that. Debbie will tell you that the beginning of KOI was met with some skepticism. She says, “Most people thought it sounded corny or too political at the time but it was the beginning of a brand and lifestyle that embodied community, spreading love, supporting your friends, and a strong sense of pride for our immigrant backgrounds.”

The similarities in our stories is what keeps us all connected and has helped build the network and community we see today. Community is an incredibly important aspect of LatinX culture. It reminds of why we continue to push forward and our community is always there when we need a shoulder to lean on. The support they provide is like no other. We stick together, through thick and thin and we create bonds and relationships that are everlasting. That being said, it’s only right that we as individuals support our communities the same way they support us through different initiatives. That is, funnel our resources back into our communities to ensure they are there to support future generations to come. Giving back is what keeps the spirit alive and both Debbie and KOI agree that it is imperative that we give back to those who made us who we are today. As Debbie states “KOI has built a brand with our community in mind and it has fruitioned into something beyond [her] wildest dreams. It’s always been for the people, by the people.”

Immigrants as a whole are resilient and pride themselves on doing the best they can with what they have. They are driven and creative in situations that may be seen as an obstacle by others and that is commendable. Although members of the immigrant community can see that, others may not have the same opinion. Immigrants are faced with immense discrimination and are often oppressed to the point of hiding their true identity for fear of retaliation. This fear is passed down to their children who are oftentimes taught to remain silent regarding their family’s background. Identity crisis, particularly at a young age, is all too real. However, Debbie hopes that through brands like KOI the world can see the beauty in immigrant struggles and that kids of immigrants can feel a sense of pride and belonging. Her hope is that the brand can bridge the gap for future generations and let them feel confident in their identity and connected to their roots. 

Although the heritage found in our communities makes us who we are and keeps us connected to the culture, hate and discrimination have created an environment that is seeing Latinxs being pushed out of the very neighborhoods they’ve help build. Gentrification is a serious issue that is plaguing many areas across the United States, particularly those with a heavy immigrant or minority influence. When interviewing Debbie we headed to Highland Park, LA’s first suburb that has been known for its art, agriculture, architecture, and ethnically diverse population. Walking down the street you’ll notice food trucks selling anything from tacos al pastor to pollo asado and freshly made aguas frescas - just like mom used to make. However, not too far away you’ll begin to notice the blatant signs of an area that is slowly being gentrified right before our eyes. More affluent people move to and begin to become increasingly interested in historically less affluent neighborhoods such as Highland Park and it creates a real issue. Property prices begin to increase, discrimination is heightened and becomes normalized, and emphasis is placed on spaces that exclude minority groups. In other words, those very individuals who help build and keep neighborhoods alive are pushed out. During our sit-down with Debbie, she explained that LA has changed a lot in her time. Some of the things she grew up seeing as a kid are no longer around or they’ve been replaced by trendy new spots. She has seen it happen in every neighborhood she’s lived in from Echo Park to Lincoln Heights. 

So, how do we fight back? 

For starters, it begins by supporting our own and those who are members of our community. It means supporting your nearby Black and Brown-owned businesses. From mom and pop shops to your local street vendors, they all depend on their community. So why not show some love to the very people who help keep the said community afloat? Debbie also encourages us all to do a little research on our neighborhood and really learn the history behind it. Respecting and recognizing the history of the place you call home can keep the story alive for future generations and ensures that it's never forgotten. Storytelling is also a fundamental aspect of preserving our culture, regardless of what goes on around us. Future generations must recognize how rich our culture is and what better way to show them than to teach them the history of our roots. Through strategic support and storytelling, the minority children of today will propel the community and the culture in the future. 

When meeting up with Debbie we visited one of her favorite LatinX-owned businesses, Jugos Aztecas. Upon walking up you’ll notice the colorful aesthetic and the jugs of aguas frescas lined up just calling your name. On the menu are things like tortas cubanas, tamales, and chiles rellenos that remind you of home. I think we can all agree that some of the best foods are those that comfort us and remind us of our childhood. They remind us of our humble beginnings and of our amazing culture. It only felt right to shoot in front of Jugos Aztecas as a way to not only showcase one of the few LatinX-owned businesses in the area but as a representation of how bright, colorful, and rich our culture is. If you’re in the area, we definitely recommend stopping by and showing some love, you will not regret it. 

It was here that we talked to Debbie about what she looks forward to in the future with KOI, because there's no better place to have great conversation than around good food and even better company. As a brand, KOI hopes to venture into the world of television, film, art, and education but the possibilities are endless. As we have seen with their latest collection titled Anything is Possible they are set on prioritizing the message of infinite potential and that no dream or goal is too far-fetched no matter your background. On a more personal level, Debbie hopes to tap more into experimental events and design spaces to bring communities together for a good time and to support different causes that are important to KOI and Debbie herself. Debbie will tell you that she feels grateful to be in a position that has allowed her to give back to her community in so many ways. We better ourselves to support those around us in a pattern that is repeated for generation after generation and there is no better feeling than doing just that. 

As a final piece of advice, Debbie says that in order to give back we must also prioritize ourselves. For her, it's dedicating 2 hours to herself every morning to decompress and show herself some love because self-love is the best love. The more she pours back into herself the more she can give back in a cyclical way that ensures the betterment of future generations. She also encourages other Black and Brown womxn to hone in on their unique identities and utilize them to their benefit. Surround yourself with others who accept you, flaws and all. Immerse yourself in your community because who better to surround yourself with than those who understand your story and share your same struggles. ¡Viva la cultura!  

You can learn more about Kids of Immigrants HERE, and connect with Debbie Gonzales HERE. 

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Written By: Yaquelin Yanes

Photographer: Daniel Hermosillo