Blacktinidad: Building Community and embracing change with Jon Huertas

In the latest episode of Blacktinidad, hosts Eliana, Kyo, and Francia get into the topic of seeking and building community. The discussion kicks off with Kyo sharing his personal experience of fostering a sense of community in his hometown of Miami. With many others within the Afro-Latino culture, Kyo found it relatively easy to connect with others and create a supportive network. His reminiscing of living in Miami highlighted the importance of cultural commonality and shared experiences in forming tight-knit communities.

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Later in the the episode the hosts were joined by actor Jon Huertas, who growing up in Virginia, often felt like the odd one out, being the only Latino in his community. This sense of isolation led him to question his identity, a struggle many can relate to. Jon’s journey is not just about self-discovery but also about overcoming barriers. His aspirations to become an actor, sparked as early as second grade, saw him navigating a path through the Air Force, where he honed his leadership skills. Jon candidly shares his experiences in the entertainment industry, revealing that despite appearing in over 400 episodes of various shows, he has been directed by only one male Latino director. His call for proactive change resonates deeply: “Don’t wait for someone to make the change; we need to be the change.”

The conversation continued as the hosts bring Elijah into the mix. Elijah’s enthusiasm for family reunions is was something he enjoyed as he describes them as golden opportunities to bond with relatives he doesn’t see often. These gatherings, often held in parks, extend beyond just family, allowing friends and neighbors to join in, further strengthening community ties. The hosts also talked about how social media may have be hurting the idea of family reunions because we are so connected with one another that it is often not needed to go to a family reunion to catch up because as Elijah said “We already know what’s going on in their life.”

Photos By: Nicole Alvarenga | @nicolevisions

As the episode draws to a close, host Eliana sat down with Najah, the host of Shades Of Beauty. Eliana opens up about her upcoming documentary, focusing on her father’s release from prison. She aims to shed light on immigration through the lens of the Dominican Republic, providing a personal and nuanced perspective on a complex issues like immigration, incarceration, and forgiveness. The audience is treated to an exclusive premiere of the trailer for Eliana’s documentary, “Vida Nueva,” offering a glimpse into the compelling film she crafted.

This episode of Blacktinidad masterfully brings together personal stories and broader social themes, emphasizing the power of community, the challenges of identity, and the importance of representation and change.