Come share your memories about food, migration, and identity in the Latino community! Food represents more than nutritional needs; it evokes memories and sentiments while also increasing trust and community. It also generates deep human connections and interactions. In this conversación entre vecinos, we will explore a different dimension of Latinidad through the oral histories of our panelists’ lived experiences.
October 3rd, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Meet the Moderator
Margarita Vargas-Betancourt, PhD. is the Latin American and Caribbean Special Collections Librarian at the George A. Smathers Libraries of the University of Florida.
Meet the Speakers
Wanda dePaz-Ibanez moved from Puerto Rico to the United States in 1974 to pursue graduate studies. After obtaining an MA from SUNY, Stony Brook, New York and acquiring on a PhD degree in Education in 1981 from UC in Santa Barbara, California, she joined her family from Puerto Rico in relocating to Gainesville, Florida. In 1982, Wanda opened Emiliano’s Bakery alongside her husband, Jorge Ibanez. The small idealistic enterprise evolved throughout the years to become a mainstay of both the culinary and cultural landscape of the community. Alongside her family and generations of employees, she has been proud to uphold a proud position as a Latina woman business owner. She has proudly accepted innumerable awards and recognitions representing her family business. After 37 years in continuous operation, Wanda retired and Emiliano’s Restaurant closed its doors to the public. Having served as both a participant and witness to the development of a strong and vibrant Latin food scene in our community she hopefully looks into a future full of opportunities and creativity within our wider world.
Linsey Derival was born in Haiti. When Derival was four years old, she moved to the Dominican Republic, living there until the age of 10 before moving to the United States. Derival’s grandfather was Cuban – and he had moved to Haiti due to the island’s economic and political situation. Derival identifies herself as Black/African-American and Latino.
Mariana Rodrigues is a scholar with extensive experience in education, public policy, and social research across Latin America. Since 2009, she has worked in Brazil on professional development programs for educators and public safety personnel, focusing on topics related to human rights, social equity, and institutional training. Between 2014 and 2016, she participated in a regional research initiative mapping the political engagement of grassroots organizations in Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, and Brazil. She holds a Master’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida and a Master’s in Education from the Federal University of Tocantins (2016). She has also completed postgraduate studies in organizational management at Mackenzie Presbyterian University (2007), and in topics related to society, culture, and public health at the State University of Rio de Janeiro (2011). She earned her bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Ibero-American University Center (2006).She has contributed to various multilateral and civil society initiatives, including as a member of the Advisory Group to UN Women Brazil (2015–2017), and through involvement with regional forums connected to the Organization of American States (OAS). Her areas of interest include international relations, education, public policy, Latin American studies, and the role of social movements in shaping civic and institutional development.
Dr. Cecilia “CC” Suarez is an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC), specializing in intercultural communication and global leadership. Dr. Suarez’ research explores inclusive education and leadership development strategies that respond to the needs of underrepresented communities and college student populations. She examines how historical, cultural, and societal factors influence community engagement, access to resources, and educational outcomes.
Marisella Veiga was born in Havana, Cuba and raised in the United States. She is a professional writer, lecturer, and traditional home cook. Her YouTube debut showcasing her cooking abilities this spring was made possible by Weave Tales, a Jacksonville non-profit.
Funding for this program was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.