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About a week ago I had the great honor to be the keynote speaker at Synergy Quantum Academy synergyquantumacademy @wearesynergy, a high school in South Central Los Angeles. What made this keynote one of the most special speaking engagements I’ve done was its connection to home. This was a homecoming for me. South Central LA.

My parents worked at a factory as garment workers blocks away from the school. As they toiled away in their Juki sewing machines for 30+ years, they birthed two kids from the hood who “made it” and decided to give back to that exact same community.

It was important for me to share my intersecting identities as a First Gen Doctora, daughter of undocumented immigrants from Mexico, and South Central native because if you don’t see people who look like you, you don’t think it’s for you.

What added to this serendipitous experience was having my little brother present for my keynote, as he is also the college counselor for the co-located high school. Y honestamente, eran las únicas porras que me movían.🥹

I’m humbly grateful for the SQA staff for not only putting together a successful all-day wellness event for the SQA scholars but for all also inviting me to be part of the SQA community for the day.

May our scholars from any ‘hood’ know that where we come from does not define us but motivates us. We also get ‘hooded’! 🎓

Vamos pa’delante!

Con mucho cariño,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy

#southcentral #southcentralla #losangeles #synergyquantumacademy #firstgeneration #firstgen #firstgenerationcollegestudent #firstgenerationgraduate #firstgenlatina #mexican #latina #latinx #latino #latine #firstgentherapist #latinatherapist #therapist #socialwork #socialworker #msw #lcsw #edd #keynote #speakingengagement #palante #palantetherapy #reels #reelsinstagram #fuerzaregida

Happy National First Gen Day! May we continue to step bravely into unknowns con un chingo de orgullo. They may try to silence us, dismiss our experiences, and bury our existence but they forgot we were seeds and we will bloom.✨

To the First Gen student/professional…
… from the hood,
… who is undocumented,
… who is a child of immigrants,
… who has parents that are undocumented,
… still living at home,
… leaving their home for the first time,
… taking financial and career risks with no safety net,
… learning how to complete benefit packages, 401K, payroll documents for the first time,
… who is navigating countless ‘first’ experiences,

May you continue to bravely and courageously navigate many unknowns con miedo pero con un chingo de ganas, fortaleza, y pasión.

As a First Gen Latina from South Central LA, daughter of immigrants, I’ve navigated many unknowns and continue to navigate many ‘first’ experiences. Pero me echo un padre nuestro before entering unfamiliar faces and remind myself of the numerous times I’ve walked unfamiliar territories con miedo pero con orgullo.

I am privileged to support the First Gen community every day. Our stories are diverse but of a collective resistance and resiliency.

We are First Gen’s y vamos pa’delante! 🎓🤎

Con porras y abrazos,
Dra. Hernández @palantetherapy

#nationalfirstgenday
#firstgenerationcollegestudent #firstgen #firstgenerationlatina #firstgeneration #doctor #doctora #edd #usc #ucla #socialwork #southlosangeles #latino #latina #latinx #latine #latinxgrad #highered #latinasinhighereducation #latinatherapist #terapeuta #palante #palantetherapy #reelsinstagram #reels #explore #graduation #gradstudent #southcentral #southcentralla

#Understoodpartner Comunidad, October is ADHD Awareness Month and we are debunking common ADHD myths in the Latine community featuring “La Tia”. Common ADHD myths include that only boys have ADHD and ADHD can be outgrown. However, ADHD affects both boys and girls, although girls are often underdiagnosed because their symptoms can manifest differently, such as being more inattentive rather than hyperactive. Also, while some symptoms may change over time, ADHD is often a lifelong condition that requires ongoing management into adulthood.
Addressing these myths in the Latine community is crucial for increasing understanding, encouraging early intervention, and reducing stigma associated with ADHD.

I’ve partnered with @understoodorg to increase access to resources for parents on how to support their children with ADHD and other learning and thinking differences. To access free resources in English and Spanish including articles, podcasts, psychoeducational handouts, and community groups, visit understood.org or click the link in bio.

Let’s continue to educate las tias and our comunidad on ADHD. Pa’delante!

#BeUnderstood #understoodpartner #adhd #adhdawareness #adhdawarenessmonth #latinementalhealth #latinxmentalhealth