Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Alejandra Aponte.
Hi Veronica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Veronica Alejandra Aponte, but as most call me, Vero. I immigrated to Utah as a little girl alongside my mother and abuelita from Venezuela. Growing up in what was not a very-diverse Utah as an immigrant and child of an immigrant made me quickly adapt to many things at a young age. As I assisted my mother in growing a successful business; Always Smooth from the ground up, the start-up, to what now is an award-winning studio cultivated a love for business in me like no other. Like many immigrants/children of immigrants, I grew up with high expectations for myself and graduated high school with an honorable 4.0 GPA that later, alongside my story and aspirations, opened the door to being a part of a highly-selective scholarship program at the University of Utah by the name of First Ascent that is committed to hard-working first-generation students with a desire to uplift our communities, and pursue higher education. After 4 inspiring, emotional, difficult, and beautiful 4 years, I graduated from the University of Utah with two degrees in hand, a very proud family, and 6 impactful leadership positions under my belt. Throughout those leadership positions, I had a devotion for uplifting other minorities to serve in leadership roles, creating environments for others to feel accepted and welcomed to speak up and advocate for change, and representing where I come from.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a Venezuelan-born, Utah-raised Latina, There are many times I must censor myself from many news of Venezuela for the safety of my mental health. There have been many times I have been silenced, in rooms with individuals speaking ill on a situation they are unaware of, and often like many other Venezuelans, are conflicted towards the organizations and communities that truly stand with us. Nevertheless, I feel a sense of responsibility to advocate for my community, give a voice to the voiceless, showcase the beauty in my culture, and most importantly, educate others on the upsetting situation back in my native country. In early 2022, I got the opportunity to direct and produce a short film by “ Querida Venezuela “ that highlighted the immigrant experience and a film dedicated to Venezuelan refugees/migrants as we navigate distinct environments and both the pain and beauty that comes with our stories. My hope with my short film was to remind my community that the dictatorship has taken enough from us, but may it never take away who we truly are.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have had the incredible opportunity to represent my University in various occasions from winning first place in two back-to-back business strategy case competitions alongside fully women in business teams, being selected to attend diversity conferences across the nation, selected for conferences around Latino Leaders such as LULAC in Washington D.C, and ALPFA’s national convention. Whenever I found myself in a program where I saw a limitation-to none of the Latina ambassadors/advocates, I quickly applied because I knew seeing another Latina in those positions, would inspire me to serve that role and vocalize the needs of my community. As recent statistics show, the Latino community is a massive asset for the United States, and I fully believe that what makes us so valuable is the undeniably rich cultures that make us who we are. And for this very reason, the more we should unapologetically be ourselves and advocate for change with the qualities we have embedded within our stories and countries. At the University of Utah, alongside other incredible Latino Leaders under the ALPFA club, I coordinated and hosted Spanish-conducted events that assisted Utah high school students and families in learning about college processes and resources with the goal to assist with the barriers that exist within our communities to reach higher ed. DACA, undocumented, TPS, and so forth. The impact this event, and 4 years of others under the ALPFA U of U chapter, had on me are moments I take to heart as I continue to find ways to uplift my community.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As I climb a ladder in what is a series of life opportunities, I find no greater joy than to reach down and pull someone up with me. Another Latina/o, woman, etc. That is where I truly feel that my accomplishments mean something. When I know that my path is granting others an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than just a role, but a representation of a community, a voice for those who are silenced, and an opportunity to see the value in one’s commitment to change.
I am thankful for Utah for being a welcoming state for myself, my other entrepreneurial immigrant family members, and other refugees and migrants. I am also thankful for all the mentors, teachers, and supporters I have had over the years who have seen my passion for bringing light to issues and representing the communities I strongly identify with. Especially those who understand I have a variety of interests and have supported me with my passion for human rights and business. Without them and the doors that have opened for me at the University of Utah and the greater Utah community, I would not have grown to have the commitment I now have for opening doors and mentoring others to also lead, and remind that is completely valid to have multiple interests, and pursue them.
My commitment, my roots, and my story is what make me hungry to lead equitable change in environments I deem are in need.
I hope to share my story to inspire other Latinas/Latinos to know we have a seat at any leadership table, and should know that the courage to create a space that is not typically seen may be challenging, but once done right, creates an impact for the present, and future generations to come.
Contact Info:
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/8SseojBWoaQ
Image Credits
Graduation picture: @ecphotography888
