Fluent Voices is a blog series designed to give employees across all levels and departments within our organization the opportunity to share their unique stories and passions. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the teams at Fluent and AdParlor share stories and traditions from Peru and El Salvador – and explain how how their heritage has shaped the people they are today. Stay tuned throughout the year as we continue to feature and celebrate more of the people that make our team unique.
Stories and Traditions from Peru and El Salvador
Jean Carlo Camacho
Director, Data Engineering, Fluent
What led you to your current role at Fluent?
“I was taught to always aim high and to never give up. Life is tough in general, and if we give up or stay static, we don’t grow and succeed.”
Name your current favorites:
- Watching: Last seasons of Brooklyn 99, Lucifer, and Manifest
- Reading: Inferno by Dan Brown
- Listening to: I listen to everything, but mainly old school Salsa lives in me (Gran Combo, Fania, Oscar D’ Leon, Frankie Ruiz, just too many to mention all)
- Inspired by: My parents are my inspiration to always reach for the stars.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
“Hispanic Heritage Month means being appreciative of the struggle my parents endured coming to this country to form a family and ensure that their kids had a better life – my dad working in factories for minimum wage, my mom cleaning houses. I’ve heard their stories throughout my life and that is what has pushed me to become what I am today and to value their sacrifice. As a kid, you don’t fully grasp it, but as an adult you look back and can only say “Thank You,” and prove to them that their struggle wasn’t in vain. Love you “Mama y Pops.”
How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
“In my home, respect, communication, and perseverance were key factors instilled. Communicating issues, whether good or bad, was always pressed, as my dad would say, “We can’t help if we don’t know there is a problem. Showing respect when addressing someone was also important, as we can’t expect respect when we don’t show it first. Lastly, perseverance was something that wasn’t spoken, but rather shown. I saw my parents’ perseverance to ensure my brothers and I had everything we needed.”
What is one thing you want other people to know about your heritage?
“Our Peruvian food is internationally recognized, and I recommend if you have not tried it yet, to do so. We have an extensive menu to choose from, so I’d doubt that anyone would have trouble finding something.”
In what ways do you celebrate your Hispanic heritage?
“Growing up, I used to enjoy going to festivals in July for “28 de Julio” (Independence Day). Getting together with friends and family, listening to our “Valses Criollos” and “Huaynos,” and of course enjoying the fooooood! Those are a couple of things I will pass along to my kids; I will instill those great values and pride in our culture.”
Roxanna Flores
Senior Accountant, Fluent
What led you to your current role at Fluent?
“I would have to say chance – I was working in Long Island and I knew I wanted to be in Manhattan. One of the positions I interviewed for was Fluent and luckily, I was hired 😊”
Name your current favorites:
- Watching: Nashville, the drama in this show is almost as good as a telenovela!
- Reading: The Sell by Fredrik Eklund – highly recommend, he gives good tips on evolving into the unique person you are meant to be. **Weeeee high kick**
- Listening to: I have an eclectic taste, but if you were to ask some of my colleagues, they would for sure say how obsessed I am with Jennifer Lopez (rooting for Bennifer 2.0!).
- Inspired by: My parents – their work ethic is truly admirable, especially my mother.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
“This month means being able to connect with my Peruvian culture and of course eat lots of homemade dishes made by Mami!”
How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
“I lived in Peru until I was 11, and growing up, I saw my parents work very hard to provide my sisters and I with a good future – this eventually led them to leave their lives behind in Peru and move our family to the US. I can’t imagine being an adult and having to start all over again in a new country, I don’t think at the time I realized how big of an effort that was. I have now lived in the US for about 20 years and can say that I’m definitely a hybrid of both Peruvian and American culture.”
What is one thing you want other people to know about your heritage?
“The one thing I want people to know is how colorful Peru really is, there are soo many traditional dances and different cultures within the country. For example, people from the Amazon region have their own traditional dances, customs, and dishes; and the same applies to people that live in the Andes region. Sadly, Peru is also a very poor country, BUT one day I will go back and do charitable work, especially in the regions where education is lacking.”
In what ways do you celebrate your Hispanic heritage?
“Aside from eating all my mom’s cooking, I also take the time to watch this clip. It always makes me so proud to watch – I highly recommend checking it out to get a real sense of the Peruvian culture!”
Karen Valle
Senior Account Manager, AdParlor
What led you to your current role at AdParlor?
“With more than eight years of experience in this digital world, having fun working with multiple brands – learning to love them and find their perfect audience, message, and creative side – is my passion! For me, everything is about challenging yourself, and that’s precisely what I saw in the opportunity at AdParlor – the ability to learn inside of a great culture, surrounded by great people.”
Name your current favorites:
- Watching: Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space
- Reading: Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Sadhguru
- Listening to: Greta Van Fleet
- Inspired by: My amazing parents – they are fighters!
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
“It is my first time celebrating, and for me it is a reminder of all my friends, family, roots, and the beautiful places where I had such a great time in my country – El Salvador. All those moments built me, forming my values and the hardworking person that I am.”
How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
“My culture and my country have made me a strong and soft person at the same time; all those challenging moments of economic crisis shaped me and built me as a fighter against any obstacle. I learned to put a smile on my face even when things are not going great, because there will always be someone who’s having a more challenging time. My heritage made me work hard and build responsibility at a young age, and that’s why I truly value everything that life and God give me every day.”
What is one thing you want other people to know about your heritage?
“First of all, we have great food. If you haven’t tried pupusas, please do it today! We are also passionate and hardworking by nature and will give you the most amazing smiles, friendship, and support.”
In what ways do you celebrate your Hispanic heritage?
“Because it is my first time, I will probably cook something that reminds me of the tastes and smells of my culture – those pupusas will bring good memories.”
“Aside from eating all my mom’s cooking, I also take the time to watch this clip. It always makes me so proud to watch – I highly recommend checking it out to get a real sense of the Peruvian culture!”
If you liked this post and want to hear from our team, check out the full Fluent Voices blog series here.
