Latino Leaders Emphasize Heritage and Resilience at TIME Dinner

TIME’s Latino Leaders dinner in Miami brought together influential figures from diverse fields to celebrate cultural heritage and intergenerational inspiration. Chef Nelson German, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, and actor Sofia Carson each delivered toasts, highlighting the significance of their upbringing and the enduring impact of their families.

Nelson German, a chef, restaurateur, and author, spoke about his experience growing up in a Dominican immigrant family in Manhattan. He recalled a childhood desire to assimilate, noting, “We wanted to fit in so badly to reach that American dream.” However, German emphasized a contemporary shift towards embracing cultural identity, stating, “We now are embracing those parts of ourselves more fully. We are embracing our cultures, our heritage, our motherlands.” For German, preserving Dominican culture is intrinsically linked to his culinary work, where recipes and stories must be kept alive for future generations.

Julián Castro, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, shared his childhood memories of seeking out Latino representation in media and literature while growing up in San Antonio, Texas. He paid tribute to his grandmother Victoria, who immigrated from Mexico and raised his mother as a single parent, and to his own mother for raising him and his brother. Castro underscored the common thread of aspiration among Latino families, describing them as “strivers and hard workers and people of love, of faith, and of family.” He also addressed contemporary challenges, noting a perceived “cruelty” directed at immigrant and Latino families, while asserting the inextricable link between the success of the Latino community and that of the United States.

Sofia Carson, an actor, singer, and advocate, echoed the sentiment of inherited strength, repeatedly stating, “To be a Latin woman is to be hope.” Drawing inspiration from Latin American artists and writers, including Frida Kahlo and Isabel Allende, Carson highlighted hope as an intrinsic element of Latino identity, flowing through generations. She honored the women in the audience, emphasizing that hope is deeply embedded in their collective DNA.

The event, presented by PepsiCo, provided a platform for these leaders to reflect on their journeys and the cultural foundations that have shaped their successes.