Hola RVA!
My mom and me, circa 1978)
It was not an easy road for my Panamanian mother coming into this country. She had to maneuver around a difficult language (yes, English is way harder to learn than Spanish), bear the insults and the slurs because of her skin tone and accent, and learn a new culture while abandoning some of her own. She also knew no one in this foreign land called America, all with a three year old baby and Cajun-American husband in the deep south in the 1970s.
My mother got her GED, and then went on to get her college degree in business. She is a master seamstress, a hard negotiator, and is the best chef of any experience I’ve had. She will tell you to “go to hell” in her accomplished English if someone tells her to go back where she came from, and she took two kids, came to Virginia and made an entire life for herself here. That includes buying two homes since moving here in 1986. Basically, my mom is fierce.
I’m incredibly proud of my ethnic background and even though I cannot claim my Latin heritage fully due to having Cajun and Asian in the mix, Panama is the land I was born in and it is where my maternal family resides. It is also the side I gravitate towards the most—um, dancing, good food, and passion? Who doesn’t want to claim that?! We all come from beautifully diverse countries, rich in culture, bio-diversity, language, and peoples.
A Latin home is a warm one and I’m so proud that my work home promotes the same. These agents miss many things about their Latin American homes, like authentic food and their families (I know I miss mine). So, not only have they’ve made a successful life here, but they also help others gain homeownership success. Ten percent of Virginia’s population is made up the Hispanic community with 16,805 (Census 2019) living and contributing to RVA. We have a thriving community within the arts, business, government, and a plethora of restaurants! Let’s celebrate #NationalHispanicHeritageMonth with pride and support for LatinX residents!
Joanna Rodriguez, Venezuela
Joanna is a boss agent. With 10 years in real estate and a 30 year resident of RVA, Joanna lives in the Short Pump area with her dog and son. She loves the food scene here and her ability to build relationships with her Spanish and English clients has been a solid asset.
Angel Campverde, Ecuador
Angel has lived in the US for 12 years and is a sweetheart of an agent. He’s been practicing for the past year. This nature lover enjoys spending time in Shenandoah National Park and Chesapeake Bay.
Daniela Queen, Bolivia
Daniela is a Queen when it comes to her real estate abilities. Her 16 year residency in the US brought her to RVA where she enjoys the setting and events of Forest Hill Park. Daniela has been an agent for almost three years now and she kills it.
Mi Familia
These are my RVA Hispanic brothers and sisters. I’m happy that I know all these wonderful people from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela, a myriad of artists, educators, musicians and chefs. (Click photos to learn more about these asombroso individuals).
- Jo Ann L. Breaux