ARGELIA ATILANO + ANNA ALVARADO talk Grandes Dreamers, self-publishing, and working towards YOUR DREAMS.
Latinos make up less 7% of authors in the US. The make-up of that percentage shrinks even more when looking at the number of Latina authors. Author, Argelia Atilano and Illustrator, Anna Alvarado both have contributed to growing that statistic and firmly believe in highlighting community leaders. They both sat down with JP Dominguez and George Lopez to discuss how they were able to publish their dream children’s book.
Grandes Dreamers is a children’s book that highlights the stories of 12 Latina trailblazers. The book was created with the intention to help amplify the stories of Latina leaders in our nation for the next generation. In hopes that our youth can see themselves as leaders, in positions of power and authority.
NOTE for aspiring authors: You are not going to want to miss this podcast because both Argelia and Anna share how they were able to take their initial ideas and work towards make it into a reality. Are YOU worried about self-publishing? Do YOU doubt whether you are a good enough writer? How can YOU use the art of collaboration to help elevate and move your project forward?
All that and more on this episode of Outside the BOX 2nd take.
About our guests:
Argelia Atilano, a proud motherof two young girls discovered that her children from a very young age, loved to learn and be inspired by the magnificent stories of extraordinary women trailblazers throughout history. Discouraged by the absence of Latina notable figures in both her daughters’ class instruction, school projects, textbooks and unable to find in-depth books with this theme for older children, Argelia decided to do something about it. Motivated by her eldest daughter Camila's love for women empowerment, Argelia ventured in writing about Latina role models in the United States and highlighted their powerful stories in a book that specifically caters to the age group of 8-12. Today, it fills her with enormous pride as she introduces to her daughters and entire youth with GrandesDreamers, a lengthy and detailed bilingual book that presents not one, two or three but a dozen Latina trailblazers who deserve to be mentioned, included and celebrated with pride while learning of their valuable contributions and legacy as part of the American history. Argelia has a double major degree in Communication Studies and Spanish Language Literature from Loyola Marymount University. Argelia became the leading female voice of El Show de Omar y Argelia on K-LOVE 107.5 FM in Los Angeles, California. Along with her husband Omar Velasco, she accompanied Hispanic Families daily for a total of 20 years on Univision Radio’s morning show, which recently ended. Also, with Velasco, Argelia wrote her first book, "Amor Al Aire", a best seller that tells their story as a couple.
Anna Alvarado is a Latinx artist and storyteller. Her inspiring art explores thehuman spirit in all itsintricate facets. Infused with thought-provoking, vibrant and emotional rawness, her paintings and drawings capture her experience as a Latinx woman in the U.S. Anna’s empowering artwork has been sought out by a multitude of collectors, patrons and has been featured on major television and digital media networks as well as in numerous prominent printed and online publications--
South Africa