Three Latina entrepreneurs have anchored Highland Park’s York Boulevard for up to 17 years, building businesses that became the backbone of one of LA’s most celebrated independent corridors. This Saturday, October 11, the 11th Annual Mercado Fall Festival (12-8 PM, York Blvd between Avenues 50-52) celebrates them with a free, three-block party of art, food, and community.

The festival’s main stage, Friends Over Followers, is hosted by LABellatini (Isabel Reyes), a DJ, curator, and community connector who has activated markets and showcases across Los Angeles for years. Her lineup spotlights Highland Park’s musicians, dancers, and performers – many of whom work at the very businesses lining York Boulevard. LABellatini’s work embodies what the Mercado stands for: joy, representation, and collaboration.

The festival’s three Latina entrepreneurs who have anchored York Boulevard for years: Noelle Reyes has run Mi Vida Boutique since 2008, providing a platform for Chicanx artists and creatives for 17 years. Corissa Hernandez, a first-generation Chicana entrepreneur and financial educator, co-founded Nativo and Legacy Full Circle Financial. At the Mercado, Nativo debuts a special cocktail menu with drinks inspired by neighboring businesses. Marcy Guevara-Prete launched The Plus Bus in 2015, LA’s premiere mobile plus-size boutique creating community and style for a market the fashion industry ignores.

These women represent a growing wave of Latina business leadership, creating spaces that are not only successful but intentional about who they serve and what they represent.

This year carries special meaning. As small businesses and street vendors across Los Angeles face economic pressure, the Mercado is both a celebration and an act of resilience – a moment to rebuild, reconnect, and reaffirm the creative economy that defines Highland Park.

Now in its second decade, the Mercado Fall Festival stands as both celebration and statement: that culture, creativity, and local business ownership remain the heartbeat of Northeast Los Angeles. With live music, lowriders, art activations, and over 100 neighborhood vendors, the Mercado continues to grow as one of LA’s most beloved community events – powered by collaboration, heritage, and pride.

Mercado Fall Festival
 York Blvd between Avenues 50 & 52, Highland Park
Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12 PM – 8 PM
Music, food, art, car clubs, and local vendors

Follow @FriendsOverFollowers for updates and behind-the-scenes coverage.

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TheTRENDTalk, is created and executive produced by Bel Hernandez.  Hernandez  has since been at the forefront in creating a platform to amplify the Latina voice beginning in 2009 with the first talk show she produced, Let’s Talk!, giving Latinas a voice at the talk show table.  

Since the premiere of TheTRENDTalk in 2017, the show has been focused on highlighting the accomplishments of the Latino community, from civic leaders, entrepreneurs, inventors, patrons of the arts and Hollywood celebrities.  TheTRENDTalk celebrates the world as seen through a Latina lens.

“I am so thrilled that Lizza Monet Morales will be joining us as a co-host and executive producer this season.  Her work speaks for itself.  From being invited by the Obamas to the White House; to working with IMG in the fashion world; hosting and producing live and streaming shows; to advocating for farmworkers and fallen soldier Vanessa Guillen, Lizza brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to TheTRENDTalk,” Hernandez enthused.  “Already her ideas are extending our 6th season to more exciting content and we can’t wait for our audience to see it.”

As an actor, Lizza was most recently seen as a lead in the award-winning social impact film Intolerance No More written and directed by Emmy award winner Sergio Guerrero. Some of her other credits include, David Mamet’s Phil Spector biopic for HBO starring Al Pacino and Helen Mirren and a series regular on VH1’s highest rated show New York Goes To Hollywood.

Lizza who is known as the “TV host seeing the world through love filled eyes” has been on-air talent for Access Hollywood, Telemundo, EXTRA, Univision, Celebrity Justice, The Insider and The TV-Guide Channel amongst others and has reported for US Weekly and People Magazine.  And now we can add TheTRENDTalk to her long line of credits.

“It’s just an honor and joy to be able to work side by side with someone who I’ve considered not only a friend but a mentor over the years,” Morales said. “I’m excited to join the TRENDTAlk family and bring everybody behind the scenes for a pretty exciting season that we have put together that not only uplifts and celebrates Latinx voices but inspires all to really lean in and be there for the community. 

TheTRENDTalk, which is produced by Latin Heat Media, officially launched their 6th season on METV LA, and is also streaming on YouTube, IGTV and Facebookwatch.  For commercial time inquiries: ttrendtalk@gmail.com.

TheTRENDTalk show is produced by Latin Heat Media a multi-media company that also owns latinheat.com,  and produces the largest outdoor festival that celebrates Latinas, LATINAFest where TheTRENDTalk also tapes.  LATINAFest  takes place during Women’s History Month next year on March 19,2023.

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By Elia Esparza

There is nothing like the thrill of an emerging filmmaker watching their hard work and sacrifice of their finished film screen to the public. Emerging filmmaker Roxanna Denise Stevens Ibarra’s short film Tesoro will be screening on August 8^th – on  YouTube. Tesoro is part of the University of Arizona’s School of Theatre, Film & Television digital entertainment industry event, I DREAM IN WIDESCREEN 2020.

Watch. Support. And, be a part of the solution to helping Latino filmmakers move their way up. 

Ibarra’s film is about an elderly man being forced to sell his beloved automobile, which he dubs, “Tesoro,” in order to make ends meet. However, giving up his car comes at the price of having to relive his memories of the great joy his Tesoro brought him during his lifetime. 

Ibarra is a filmmaker who has done a marvelous job of capturing much of her childhood familial stories. 

“This was a story I could tell, as I’ve lived through it generationally,” said Ibarra, who wrote, directed, and stars. “The stories flow through my veins as water does through roots. They grow.”

Ibarra added about the inspiration for Tesoro. “The stories were memories told by my Tata while my Tios sang about lost loves, they were Mami’s stories about my Tata working in the fields and sending money to his brothers, mama, and Tia at the age of fifteen.

“The miscarriages. The romance. The cars. These were snippets of the stories I was told, lived through, and strung together to give as a love letter to my community. To tell the stories I’ve never seen on television or on the big screen, but have heard more than I would have asked to. I had to make this movie so that these stories would not die with each generation of my Mexican-American familia.”

Ibarra is a young talented Mexican-American filmmaker whose debut film, Tesoro, is a powerful start to her career. And, no doubt, she is “one to watch.”

Tesoro is a sensitive and thoughtful debut film—and like its title, a gem of a short movie. Watch it on August 8^th! For more information about the 2020 edition, click I DREAM IN WIDESCREEN. 

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By Roberto Leal

The 1954 film, Salt of the Earth, written by Hollywood Blacklisted screenwriter, Michael Wilson, starring Juan Chacón, , Rosaura Revueltas, and Will Geer, which tells the inspiring story of Mexican zinc mine workers in New Mexico, who organize a general strike, eerily mirrors the life of Dolores Huerta. It is the Chicana woman; wives, mothers, daughters, in Salt of the Earth, who organize, mobilize, energize, and create the solidarity that is the driving force behind the miner’s ultimate victory.

This Friday, July 10, at 9 PM CST, PBS and Independent Lens will air Dolores. Her story begins in 1930 in Dawson, New Mexico, the daughter of coal-mining Mexican immigrants. It was in the crucible of that hard-scrabble, poverty-stricken environment that forged the iron will that is the heart and soul of Dolores Huerta’s remarkable, fiery political activism, labor rights battles, and unwavering support on behalf of feminist causes.

Huerta’s most well-known and notable achievement was being the co-founder, along with Cesar Chavez, of the United Farm Workers Union. What is not so well-known, is it was Huerta who did the lions’ share of the bare-knuckle brawling and nuts  and bolt, hard-nosed negotiating behind the scenes, like the women in Salt of the Earth, to make the union a reality. Huerta proved the adage: “Behind Every great Latino leader is an even greater Latina leader.” We could use bold, strong, Latina leaders, in the mold of Dolores Huerta, on our cultural and political ramparts today.

Barbarians at the Gate

There are many political, economic, and cultural issues facing the greater Latinx community that are crying out for powerful Latina leadership.

ICE, at the behest of Trump, and his Minister of the Border Gulags, Stephen Miller, aka The Ghost of Joseph Goebbels Present, are dragging their feet and delaying, for as long as possible, the court-ordered release of those migrant children currently being held in dog cages that would bring tears to the eyes of an SPCA activist.

Miller and ICE are creating a sinister deterrence-based immigration policy based on scaring the hell out of any Latino immigrant from Mexico and Central America, who has the arrogance and temerity to seek asylum, strive for a better life, in what we increasingly refer to with farcical irony as “The Land of the Free” with the horrifying specter of being interminably caged in the American Gulag.

Where is the national outrage? Why aren’t the ask-kissing, enabling Republicans—who support this inhumane, and illegal policy— why aren’t they having their clammy, dainty, well-pedicured feet held to a blast furnace hot, public fire?

Chicanos, Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and other Latin Americans are being killed by the trumpvirus pendejodemic at higher rates than any other ethnic group. There are many reasons for this tragic statistic: working in essential service industries and dangerously close proximity production jobs, living in high density, crowded housing, and other underlying health conditions.

We need a few latter-day Dolores Huertas, on the ramparts, raging against the injustice and using a bullhorn to roar truth to power. There are some good candidates. The mainstream media, which often ignores, or marginalizes Latino public figures, must shine a brighter and more frequent national spotlight on them.

Women of Color of a Different Hue

All the political pundits insist Joe Biden must choose a woman of color to be his VP running mate. I do not necessarily disagree with that assessment. When this presidential campaign first started, my “dream ticket” was Senator Kamala Harris and Julian Castro. Harris appears to be the odds on favorite to be his VP pick. It makes sense. Black women are the base of the Democratic Party.

However, Latina women are the FUTURE of the Democratic Party and the country. Arizona, Texas, and Florida are teetering on the verge of turning Blue, due to the huge Latino populations there.

When that happens—and it will happen—the only way a Republican can ever get into the Oval Office again, will be by taking the White House Tour, conducted by a kid named, Rogelio, who once resided in a dog cage on the Tex-Mex  border.

So why not consider a woman of color of a different hue for VP? Why not a Latina? In a recent article in The Hill titled Five Latinas Who Could be Biden’s Running Mate,, the following bright, attractive, accomplished and articulate Latina ladies were named:

• Rep. Veronica Escobar (D), Texas
• Rep. Sylvia García (D), Texas
• Gov. Michelle Luján Grisham (D) New Mexico
• Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) Nevada
• Hilda Solis, former Secretary of Labor, Obama Administration

I am adding Judge Lina Hidalgo, Harris County, Texas, as my personal favorite

When we add Puerto Rico as the 51^st state, well, all those Trumpistas can  trade in their AR-15’s, their camouflage fatigues and MAGA caps for salsa dance lessons, start  sprinkling Tajin on their mac ‘n cheese and get addicted to the telenovelas, like the rest of us.

Dolores Huerta is credited with the phrase: Si se puede. That phrase was appropriated by Obama in his run for the president: “Yes, We Can.” When we look back on the inspirational activist career of Dolores Huerta, we can honestly say: ¡ELLA LO HIZO!

Huerta has been honored with Mexican corridos, wall murals and several documentaries. Time to erect a statue of Dolores Huerta, long hair flowing in the wind, bullhorn in hand, roaring truth to power.

Dolores airs Friday, July 10 on PBS Independent Lens, at 9 PM CST.

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Los Angeles, CA — The Spiritú Spring 2019 beauty and lifestyle subscription box is chock full of amazing products for women beautifully arranged inside a beautiful work of art designed by Sonia Romero, a well-known muralist and printmaker based in Los Angeles. Romero’s design is part of her “Inner Landscape” series and depicts a woman holding her heart, surrounded by flowers. The Spring 2019 Box is valued at over $160 and features beauty and lifestyle products from name brands as well as products made in partnership with female entrepreneurs.

Spiritú CEO and Co-Founder, Danielle Levine tells us why she was inspired to create this beauty and lifestyle subscription box. “We founded Spiritú with the mission of offering an inclusive and cross-cultural experience for women. We provide access to great brands, products, and stories, while empowering an incredible community of Latina entrepreneurs and creators,” she said. “Our unique focus on highlighting Latina entrepreneurs stems from our desire to celebrate an incredibly diverse group of women, who happen to be among the highest number of entrepreneurs starting new businesses.”

Four times a year, Spiritú delivers its subscribers a specially curated Spiritú Box filled with a combination of beauty and lifestyle products valued at over $100, for only $39.99 each season. Spiritú gives back to entrepreneurs, creators, and community organizations through its seasonal boxes as well as through its online Shop, a place for Latina entrepreneurs and creators to showcase their passions, craft, and products. Visit myspiritu.com for more information.

Three lucky members will open their Spring Box and find a Golden Ticket from Clinique, which they will be able to redeem for a shopping spree on Clinique.com (valued at up to $200)! The Box is currently shipping and is available now to order. Click to order your Spring Box.

This season, the Spiritú website also features stories of several female entrepreneurs and women across communities, finding commonality while celebrating diverse perspectives. Spiritú is an online community where women can shop, connect, and be inspired.

Products featured in the Spiritú 2019 Spring Box

Clinique High Impact Lash Elevating Mascara. Inspired by the Clinique team in Mexico; Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant/Anti-Perspirant; Margaret Elizabeth Pacific Hoops. Simple and chic; Dove Concentrated Repair Crème Conditioner. Formulated with Micro-Conditioning Complex technology for rich nourishment; Bodyography Instant Lift Eye Masks. Pre-moistened eye patches to strengthen, hydrate, and tighten; Spiritú Limited Edition Nail Color. Spiritú collaborated with 4 amazing women who created beautiful custom colors, as well as one special shade inspired by the Spiritú Winter Box. Each box comes with one of the five colors; and Zano Activewear On-The-Go Bag, brought to you by actress and entrepreneur Ashley Campuzano from her athleisure line, Zano Active.

Also included is an Artisanal Keychain Sourced from Peru. A keychain hand made by local female textile artisans from Ollantaytambo and Kuelap in Peru. Spiritú is supporting the artisans through Sustainable Preservation Initiative (SPI). SPI empowers local entrepreneurs (over 85% of whom are women) to alleviate poverty and preserve their past by creating jobs that are dependent on the preservation of cultural heritage sites;

Beauty, Artistry and empowerment of women and female textile artisans. Who could ask for more?

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