In this episode, our executive director, Maria Fernanda Martinez-Donaus, talks with Jen and Vero, founders of JZD, a Brownsville-based lifestyle and apparel brand celebrating Latina and LGBTQ+ identities. Together they explore the journey from selling a single "Latina Power" t-shirt on Etsy in 2016 to collaborating with national retailers — and how a desire for safety and representation led to a brand rooted in the everyday art form of Spanglish.

Jen and Vero reflect on the heavy expectations placed on the eldest children in Mexican-American households, while sharing how the resilience they developed navigating adult responsibilities and college access barriers helped them build an unapologetic business. The conversation dives into the harsh realities of corporate tokenism, the importance of demanding your worth as a marginalized creator, and why you should stop waiting for the perfect moment to start chasing your dreams.

Don’t forget to check out our resources on navigating college access, student success, and educational equity at RioProgress: rioprogress.org

Relevant Links:
Our full episode notes can be found at rioprogress.org/episodes

Resources:
JZD
RioProgress.org

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