Julieta Meillón is redefining what it means to be a Latina entrepreneur in the beauty industry. At just 23 years old, she has transformed her passion for nail artistry into a full-fledged career, building a dedicated clientele and a strong social media presence.

Submitting her application to pursue a master’s degree in social work, Lizette Rodriguez, 35, a senior at California State University, Long Beach, defied society's expectations. Four years ago, Rodriguez was released from prison after serving one and a half years for possession of drugs. She is now expected to graduate this spring with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Fusing elements of hardcore punk with those of salsa and cumbia, Afro-Colombian musician Leo Agira finds identity and community through a unique blend of sounds.

In Lawndale, California, a gastronomic revolution is slowly changing the culinary world. With over 10,000 Brazilians living in Los Angeles County, the first Brazilian burger restaurant in California, Pedroca’s Burguer, is reintroducing the American burger with its own tastes and authentic Brazilian charm.

I knew I wasn’t like the other boys around me as a kid. I wasn’t loud, aggressive, or interested in acting tough to prove myself. I liked different things—dancing, laughing and just being myself. But whenever I showed any softness, whether at family parties or with friends, I felt like I wasn’t “man” enough. When I realized I was gay, that pressure to be someone I wasn’t only grew.