Latino Trailblazers is a new series by COCINA, where we celebrate and amplify Latino voices all year long, giving the mic to groundbreaking names who are changing the world for the better. It’s a forum to celebrate the love of community, the wins of today and share the wisdom we’ve learned.
Amara la Negra is a singer, dancer, actress, author, and entrepreneur of Dominican descent, born in Miami. She started her artistic career at the young age of 4 (!), dancing in Latin staple TV show Sábado Gigante, and later became a backup dancer for iconic artists like Celia Cruz. In 2019 she released her album, Stoppable, and has starred and hosted in several movies and TV shows. She currently is one of the hosts of daily magazine Desiguales TV.
Dear Diana Danelys De Los Santos,
Mira Mijita, take time to cherish your childhood.
Love yourself first and always as you grow. Embrace where you come from. Tu eres pura Dominicana, pura Latina y bella, como la cultura y gente de tu país. Don’t sacrifice your childhood, friendships, and precious memories for your career. You are young and you have time. Think of your career not as a sacrifice but as a dream you will focus on as you grow, and you will make it come true. You can have your cake and eat it too. Embrace your unique looks, your beautiful skin, and the gorgeous texture of your natural hair.
Mamá is the love of your life and forever will be. She sees that and feels it in her heart. Her sacrifices shouldn’t be your sacrifices. Learn from her and grow so that neither of you has to give up anything important in the future. You will repay her with endless, endless love. She will always show you strength, courage, and pride in being Afro-Latina, and you will extend that grace, courage, and strength to your future children.
Your self-confidence and authenticity will be enough for the world to know and love you.
Eres parte de Mamá! You will break barriers in due time. It’s going to be a long journey, but people’s opinions about you will never matter and are of no concern. Don’t care about what others think of you. Enjoy playing with your friends and the sounds of childhood. Stay determined and buckle down when the time comes. You will know it and feel it. Not everyone will like you and not everyone will love you. Such is life. Many people will not understand your purpose in life. That’s Ok! ¡Adelante!
The only thing real in this life is you and your family.
I know you will use your voice and all the success heading your way to inspire young girls, women, and more for generations to come. The very looks and qualities you have will be adored and loved by others who see a part of themselves in you. Keep growing, keep learning, keep fighting for what’s right. Learn to say no to the things that bring you down and yes to all that you feel in your gut will be worth it. Enjoy the hard work because it will be a long journey, but all worth it.
You are a natural-born leader, beautiful from the inside and out just like Mamá y cada mujer que tienes la suerte de tener a tu alrededor!
Diana Danelys De Los Santos, be proud of that name and whatever name you decide to call yourself when you become globally known, be proud of that too. Like your favorite singer Celia Cruz, ¡vive tu vida con sabor!
Amara La Negra
Loved Amara's letter to her younger self? Check out more Latino Trailblazers letters here!