EXP Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with "My Inspiration" Stories

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 through October 15, we asked EXP program participants to share which Hispanic American champions inspire them most.

Gustavo / Salma Hayek

For Gustavo Morales, a student at UCLA, it’s Mexican actress Salma Hayek, this year's Hispanic Heritage Foundation Arts Award honoree.

“As I was growing up, I didn’t see a lot of films where there was a person of color, and Salma changed that,” said Gustavo. “It made me happy to see someone who looks like me on screen, especially someone who also identifies as Mexican American. If someone who comes from a similar background can be successful, so can I.”

Gustavo looks up to Salma as an inspiration when it comes to perseverance and striving for excellence. “I remember reading an article where she turned down roles of playing Mexican American stereotypes and advocated to play roles that better presented her as a person,” he recalled. “She is like a beacon of hope to me, and I aspire to follow my passion as she has done, and that one day I can inspire others to excel.”

Gustavo’s drive to succeed led him to join EXP programs at his high school and participate in skill-building opportunities like the recent EXP's Fuel Your Future young adult bootcamp and “EXPand your Network” networking event. “I’m usually a shy person so networking was difficult for me,” said Gustavo. “However, I think of the people I want to inspire, which encourages me to get out of my comfort zone. By putting myself out there, I am able to not only challenge myself but also build on my communication skills.”

Gustavo put his newly acquired skills to the test recently as a student advisor at UCLA. While he is not fully confident in his Spanish proficiency, he assisted a caller in Spanish the best he could and his effort was much appreciated. “The caller told me how happy she was to know that there were students who were Hispanic on staff,” shared Gustavo. “Someone feels seen and heard because there is someone like them on the other end of the phone. It may seem such a small thing, but that was as close as a Salma Hayek moment for me!”

Kemberly / Lin-Manuel Miranda

For Kemberly, a senior at Barstow High School, her Hispanic American champion is Lin-Manuel Miranda, award-winning composer, lyricist and actor, and creator of hit musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton.”

Lin-Manuel inspires Kemberly to dream big and have the determination and courage to follow that dream. She shares that people have told her that her dreams are too big, that she would never get there. When the opportunity arose to participate in the EXP Internship Program: Powered by Prologis, Kemberly took it to prove those naysayers wrong.

“When I first got the internship this summer, I was so nervous,” recalled Kemberly. “But I told myself that I need to do this, that I am determined to do this! If I can’t follow through with this program, how would I follow through with anything else to achieve my dreams?”

The internship turned out to be the booster she needed. Kemberly went out of her comfort zone, learned new skills, and gained the confidence she needed to continue to follow Lin-Manuel’s example. “When Lin-Manuel was writing Hamilton, many people thought his idea was too crazy and that he would never pull it off. He had the courage to make his dream come true even though many people in the industry doubted him,” said Kemberly. “He was able to prove them wrong because of the determination and confidence he had in his dream, and I am following in his footsteps.”

You are definitely not throwing away your shot, Kemberly! We are sure Lin-Manuel would be so proud of your perseverance.

Valeria / AOC

Valeria Barrera, a student at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) and a participant of EXP’s Fuel Your Future, finds her Hispanic American champion to be Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), U.S. Representative for New York's 14th congressional district.

“AOC has inspired me to be fearless, overcome barriers, and become a leader in my life and my community,” said Valeria.

Currently studying Business Administration and Management at CSUDH, Valeria continues to develop her skills to achieve success in career, school, and life. She signed up to participate in EXP’s Fuel Your Future this past summer to help push herself to talk to others at the “EXPand Your Network” networking event.

“[The bootcamp] has given me resources to step out of my comfort zone,” said Valeria. “I feel empowered and confident that I’ll achieve my goal of working in the Public Administration field.”

We are excited to watch Valeria take more fearless steps out of her comfort zone, following AOC, toward her goal!