Five South Florida students have each just received $2,500 to $5,000 scholarships from Latinos Salud’s Health & Support Services program. Now in its second year, the local non-profit agency’s scholarships invest in rising leaders who will support the next generation of LGBT community members.
This year’s scholars range from a college freshman to two PhD candidates, from new arrivals to first generation residents, hailing from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. What the scholars have in common is the lived experiences that drive their passion to help other Latino and LGBT community members in South Florida, each in their own ways.
OutClique magazine got to know a little bit more about each of these inspiring young scholars.
Juan was raised on the border, where Brownsville, Texas meets Mexico. Now in his third year in the University of Miami’s clinical psychology PhD program, Juan says that he wants to help others raised in conservative Latino households learn to accept their identities and find happiness. “The conflict between my sexuality and my culture, religion, and family has been my motivator, as it drives my passion to research. I want to study ways that sexuality interacts with Latino culture and religion. I want to give people the tools to resolve these conflicts in healthy and productive ways.”
After completing her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of California, Berkely, Leo returned to Miami, where she is beginning her master’s degree in public health at Florida International University. As a transgender Brazilian American, Leo hopes to use her MPH “to begin to build a network of researchers / organizers / social workers in the field of Trans public health.” But she’s not stopping there! She plans to “break the glass ceiling by becoming a doctor, to uplift my community and make space for more Trans people to challenge the barriers and structures that contribute to health inequities in South Florida.”
After escaping the threats of violence in Venezuela, Carlos is excited to be embarking on his academic journey as a freshman at Miami-Dade College. “As an LGBT child, I experienced cruelty and betrayal from family members who lived in a world of deceit and evil, and I faced countless disappointments and sleepless nights when they found out I was gay. My goal is to ensure that no child in the world has to go through that.” Carlos will be the first in his family to receive a college degree, and he summarizes, “My primary mission will be to always support my community, which I love dearly, because I see every day each individual flourish despite adversity.”
Finishing his MBA, Nico wants to put marketing and communications to good use to help others. “I understand the importance of creating safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals, and I am committed to using my education and experiences to advocate for change and promote equality in South Florida.” Nico is investigating how new media can reach isolated or marginalized Latino populations, to give them support.
Jahn’s drive has already taken him through a master’s degree, and a fellowship in Guatemala with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He will finish his PhD in prevention science and community health at the University of Miami in just two years, which he hopes “to use to address persistent gaps in access to HIV-prevention and care services among individuals heavily burdened by the HIV epidemic, particularly Latino/x/e immigrant men who have sex with men in South Florida.”
Like most of Latinos Salud’s Pride scholars, Jahn stressed that the program’s mentorship component was as important for his career goals as the scholarship is for his financial needs, “As someone with limited social support, the opportunity to forge meaningful connections, receive personalized mentorship, and collaborate with Latinos Salud are invaluable.”
Readers can view the scholars’ spotlight interviews on any of Latinos Salud’s social media channels. Latinos Salud will also host a pair of small “meet the scholars” events this Fall, one in each county.
Visit Latinos Salud’s webpage to sign up for their newsletter, and to view the Events tab. LatinosSalud.org
Content Courtesy of OutClique Staff writer
