Some of us are born into comfort, others into challenge. My story, like so many who are the offspring of people who arrive on these shores with hope in their hearts, began with the latter. Growing up, the sheer force of my mother's will was the bedrock of our existence. As a single mother with a sprawling family – at one point, six of us squeezed into a single bedroom – she navigated a new country, a new language, and the relentless demands of raising five children while sending support back to her family in Honduras.

I watched her work not one, but often two or three jobs simultaneously, each shift fueled by an unwavering determination to keep us afloat. That image of her tireless dedication is etched into my memory, a silent but potent lesson that even as a child, I instinctively understood. It wasn't until later that I truly grasped the inferno of resilience that burned within her, a fire that unknowingly ignited a spark within me.

My mother’s journey was a testament to the human spirit's capacity to persevere against daunting odds. She arrived in this land with dreams as vast as the sky, and despite the formidable challenges that lined her path, she never wavered. Her belief in the transformative power of education and relentless effort – her vocation in the truest sense of the word – became the compass that guided our family. She instilled in me the profound conviction that limitations are often self-imposed, and that with enough grit and grace, the sky truly is the limit.

Beyond her incredible work ethic, my mother possessed a deep wellspring of empathy. She taught us to treat every single person with the same care and respect we would extend to our own family. This simple yet profound lesson has been a guiding principle in my life, shaping my interactions and informing my decisions every step of the way.

It is this personal journey, interwoven with the indelible mark of my mother’s struggles and triumphs, that fuels my passionate involvement with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). I see in NAHREP a reflection of my mother’s unwavering desire for a better future, not just for herself, but for generations to come.

While my siblings and I never had the privilege of growing up in a home we could truly call our own, the trajectory she set in motion has blossomed into a beautiful reality for her grandchildren. They now know the stability of a house – a space with a backyard, individual bedrooms, and opportunities that once felt like a distant fantasy to me. Witnessing this transformation is not just a source of immense pride; it is the very fuel that ignites my commitment to helping others achieve the dream of stability and homeownership.

I vividly recall the cramped reality of our early years – the single rented bedroom that housed our entire world. Every penny my mother earned was meticulously saved, each coin a testament to her undaunting hope of providing us with our own space, a sanctuary where we wouldn’t have to navigate the shared spaces and constant bustle of multiple families under one roof. Her relentless hard work eventually bore fruit when we moved into a modest two-bedroom, one-bathroom basement apartment – a monumental upgrade that felt like a palace. It was tiny, but it was ours. Later, my wonderful stepfather joined our family and we moved again to a slightly larger three-bedroom apartment, even as our family continued to expand. Through every challenge, her pursuit of the American dream remained steadfast, and she instilled in us the fundamental value of homeownership and the security of financial stability.

My father in law was also an immigrant. He hustled as a taxi driver at night as he worked hard to get his own insurance license. He went from being a cabbie to being a full fledged business owner, respected community leader and homeowner. He believes in the value of community and leadership. 

Having these two incredible role models in my life has deeply impacted my trajectory and heart, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.

NAHREP’s mission resonates so deeply within me because it echoes the very values my mother and father-in-law lived and breathed:

• 🏡 Housing Affordability: Breaking down the barriers that prevent hardworking families from achieving the cornerstone of the American dream.
• 💳 Access to Credit: Expanding financial literacy and opening doors to lending opportunities, empowering individuals to take control of their financial futures and cultivate a mindset of growth.
• 📈 Industry Best Practices: Championing diversity, inclusion, and excellence within the housing and lending sectors, ensuring equitable opportunities for all.
• 🌎 Macroeconomic Issues: Addressing the broader economic forces that impact wealth building and advocating for solutions that create a level playing field.

By actively advocating for affordable housing, advocating financial literacy, and demanding comprehensive representation within the industry, I strive to honor my mother’s extraordinary legacy. My goal is to empower others to unlock the transformative power of homeownership, to build not just houses, but generational wealth and lasting security.

 As the first in my family to attend college, I stand as living proof that our starting point does not define our final destination. Poverty is not a life sentence; it is a challenge that can be overcome with unwavering effort, strategic knowledge, and the kind support of a strong community. My mother and father in-law taught me that we rise by lifting others, and that every individual deserves to be treated with the same grace and kindness we would offer our own family.

I am incredibly excited to work alongside my dedicated fellow board members to fully establish our Central Virginia NAHREP Chapter. Together, we will strive to make a tangible and lasting impact on our community, helping families realize their dreams of homeownership and building a brighter future, one family at a time. Because if my mother and father in-law, against all odds, could lay the foundation for their grandchildren to thrive, then surely, by working together with passion and purpose, we can help countless others rise and build their own legacies.

Lastly, I would like to give a shout-out to Dustin Olverson for pushing me to write this, giving this a platform on GRID, and for being a beacon of opportunity for others. Thank you, Dustin, for your continued support and mentorship!