Today we’d like to introduce you to Davina Ferreira.
Hi Davina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since growing up in Colombia, I have been passionate about the arts and its powers to transform our communities and ourselves. When I arrived in California in 1997, I followed my path as a theatre actor until my mid-twenties when I enrolled at a journalism certification at UCLA and I reconnected with my passion for writing and storytelling. It was then that the idea to create Alegría Magazine started to come alive. I noticed how mainstream media portrayed LatinX culture and people in a negative and stereotypical way, and I wanted to change that: that’s how Alegría Bilingual Magazine came to life in 2012. Ever since our mission has been to highlight the positive contributions of LatinX people in a beautiful format that uplifts our cultura.
During these nine years, lots of wonderful things have happened to our company: we have created a mobile bookstore to bring the beauty of LatinX literature to underserved communities and to support emerging BIPOC and LatinX writers and poets. Our Alegría Mobile bookstore has brought so much joy to our community. Last year, we also created our Alegría Book Publishing division, where we nurture, teach and produce beautiful LatinX books for emerging writers and poets.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are always challenges as an independent company. You must be patient and stay focused on your vision and mission when things get tough. Quite honestly, every challenge is an incredible opportunity to learn and re-invent yourself and your purpose. For me, that’s why entrepreneurship is so exciting… you can never get bored!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a social entrepreneur, my biggest reward is learning about the impact we can have when we offer our community a moment of joy and hope – especially during these times. But to this date, there is nothing better than seeing a LatinX woman hold her book for the first time! That’s my biggest joy and privilege. As an artist, I am always learning and creating from a heart space. Poetry & Creative Writing have always proven to be such healing medicine and a gift for my soul.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I am a huge dreamer but even a greater DOER! When I have an idea that comes from the heart and with a purpose outside of myself, I just go for it. I don’t wait for anyone’s approval or to make it happen! I will make it happen! I will find a way! My biggest successes come from following this path.
Contact Info:
- Email: Davina@alegriamagazine.com
- Website: www.davinaferreira.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davifalegria
- Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/alegriamagazine
