Today we’d like to introduce you to Deyanira “Deya” Hernandez.
Deyanira, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have always wanted to be able to be a positive influence on the world. From a young age, I wanted to be a speaker and wanted to uplift others especially through my own struggles. In 2015, I developed my own YouTube channel and started the journey of creating my own content and uplift, motivate and spread positive energy through my platform. I later went on to develop something bigger than myself in 2016 that focused on developing my own organization that will be established as a non-profit called “The ‘U’ in Us”. This organization focuses on the development of youth and encompasses giving back to the community along with providing life-based education such as finding your purpose, being yourself, and spreading positivity. I use my social media accounts: Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat to be able to raise awareness and spread positivity overall.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I HAVE WANTED TO GIVE UP SO MANY TIMES. I cannot express the number of times I have wanted to throw in the towel but my passion, determination and most importantly, VISION does not allow me to give up. I believe firmly in my purpose and what I was put on this earth to do is uplift others and show them their abilities to succeed in their lives. I have been dead broke and somehow I still find it in me to film a video and create content, or collaborate with a photographer to continue my modeling career. ETC. There have been so many times that I have truly questioned if I am on the right path but God reminds me of my purpose time and time again. It is truly all about falling in love with failing, persistence and positivity. Without faith, there is no persistence, and without persistence, there is no faith.
What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I specialize in motivating others, uplifting individuals to their full potential, keeping Tupac’s legacy alive and well in all I do, he is the reason behind a lot of my work. I grew up in South East San Diego and it shaped me to be the woman I am today. I grew up in Lemon Grove/Spring Valley, and it provided me at a very young age to question why we did not have the same access as other individuals to resources and the lack thereof. I later went on to obtain my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and Communications, through my studies I gained more insight regarding my community and most importantly how it is funded as well. My work is based around the youth and motivating and Sparking their brains to see beyond their circumstances that at times seem infinite and unchangeable. I work with at-promised youth, youth all over who need more tools, guidance, motivation and/or positivity in their lives to push forward and succeed. I also collect donations through my organization to provide homeless communities around San Diego, Los Angeles, Anaheim and the Inland Empire with clothing, and basic toiletries.
Who have you been inspired by?
I come originally from Venezuela, the women in my bloodline are ALL independent, strong, educated, and persistent. My mother being the main source of inspiration has inspired me my whole life, this woman is truly one of kind in all ways. Her being motivates me to go harder every day, she taught me to stand up for myself, stand up for others when I see something wrong, to be filled with gratitude every day, to be myself unapologetically, to follow my intuition, to never forget where I come from and my roots and to never be defined by the present and be PERSISTENT in life. The second most influential woman in my life is my older sister Endrina, we are three years apart and I have grown through her. She taught me to always be strong, to be confident in myself and my body, and to never forget who I am or my roots she also taught me the importance of education. Lastly, Selena Quintanilla is one of the women I would like to mention has also inspired me in my life, her legacy and her being I resonate with. Not so much her beauty or her appearance but her spirit and how positive she was as an individual. She taught me to value being Venezuelan-American and the beauty in being in between two different cultures.
Contact Info:
- Email: dhernandezpv@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/deyavelii
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SDtheUinUS/
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/deyavelii
Image Credit:
@shotbycutty, @briansalasphotography, @srv_photographs, @teddyosuna
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