With Latin-owned companies making up more than 20% of all businesses in the United States, it’s vital to spotlight the entrepreneurs behind this achievement. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for digitalundivided to promote Latina-created brands playing a significant part in uplifting the American economy and impacting their communities.
Checkout these Latina founders who have been a part of digitalundivided’s 2023 programs and are contributing to society through their respective businesses! #YoSoyLatina!
*The below founder descriptions are referenced from the websites of their respective businesses
Adriana Morales @ KLOTO Social
Adriana Morales, is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded. KLOTO Social, a pioneering mobile application transforming. how people discover and engage with fashion. The app leverages proprietary algorithms to match users with relatable fashion inspiration based on their unique body measurements and style preferences.
Claritza Jimenez @ InColorStock
Claritza Jimenez is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded. InColorStock, a stock content platform that makes it easy to find and purchase high-quality stock photography and stock footage depicting Black and other people of color in the United States. The brand’s niche is that it provides a variety of images that feel authentic, organic, and relevant without the cheesiness of traditional stock content yet commercial enough to fulfill the broad needs of brands, companies, and organizations that value inclusivity and diversity.
Evelia Torres @ De Mi Tierra
Evelia Torres is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded. De Mi Tierra, a natural skincare line that pays tribute to traditional Mexican skincare rituals. Like Abuelita, the brand is taking skincare back to basics, using only earth-made ingredients indigenous to Latin America and believing that skincare products should be as nature intended them to be — natural, simple, and effective.
Jen Fry @ Coordle Inc
Jen Fry is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded Coordle Inc, a group movement platform that asks, “How we can move groups better, simpler, and more organized?” Coordle is an intuitive, feature-rich app and web platform that serves as a central hub for all your real-time information, communication, logistics and needs as you move your group.
Madeline McKnight @ Social con Cultura
Madeline McKnight is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded Social con Cultura, a social media agency for Latinx & BIPOC creatives, business owners, and entrepreneurs because most marketing tactics, hacks, and strategies used by social media marketing “gurus” don’t apply to these communities. They often lack the cultural understanding needed to market to Black & Latina groups in a respectable and relatable way that can get engagement.
Mecca Perry @ GroTru
Mecca Perry is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She founded GroTru, a platform that gives instant access to start searching for grants, accelerators, and resources that suit your needs. It offers courses, workshops, and events to help build the knowledge you need for a successful business. GroTru’s mission is to help more Black & Latinx entrepreneurs secure funding.
April Fenall @ Piikup LLC
April Fenall is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Piikup LLC, a socially responsible delivery service for food and retail businesses. The company offers expert, customizable interview preparedness and job readiness training.
Aurora Diaz @ The Jefas
Aurora Diaz is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of The Jefas, a space for Latina beauty founders ~ las chingonas y fregonas making a difference in the beauty space and the ones that love to shop all things Latina.
Bria Hutson @ Tha MF’n Vegan
Bria Hutson is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Tha MF’n Vegan, an emerging artisanal, Black woman-owned vegan food manufacturing company in Oakland, California. It specializes in creating “Smack’n Nourishing” Plant-Powered Food and premium Organic Jackfruit Meat with texture, flavor, and nutritional value.
Paulina Swigart @ Sea Thru Swim LLC
Paulina Swigart is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She is the founder of Sea Thru Swim LLC, a one-stop shop for trendy one-piece swimsuits that make you feel like the best version of yourself. Their one-piece swimsuits range from fun colors, dreamy details, and sexy and supportive silhouettes.
Prudence Minton @ Ikemba EdX Platform
Prudence Minton is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. She is the founder of Ikemba EdX Platform, an online platform where teachers can buy and sell culturally responsive materials, creating a space where educators can connect and share ideas. Through the IKEMBA Culturally Responsive-Sustaining Education (CRSE) Fellowship, educators gain a deeper understanding of how to effectively engage students from diverse backgrounds while also learning how to monetize their materials on the IKEMBA Marketplace.
Sade Luwoye & Abigail Osei-Tutu @ TribeMeets
Sade Luwoye & Abigail Osei-Tutu are graduates of digitalundivided’s BIG Program. They are the founders of TribeMeets, a platform that curates spaces and events for Africans in the diaspora to meet and develop romantic connections. With over 2.5 million Africans in the United States, it aims to allow the community to engage and connect.
Elisa Lyewis @ Elisa’s Love Bites
Elisa Lyewis is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Elisa’s Love Bites, an NYC-based bakery chef who decided to shake things up after years of honing her skills in several renowned restaurants offering a variety of dessert collections made with predominantly organic ingredients and many locally sourced. Their gluten-free flour blends are made in-house using the best available grain and nut flour.
Janeen Mendoza Cruz @ Kuali LLC
Janeen Mendoza Cruz is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Kuali LLC, an artisanal Mexican salsa business rooted in Mexican culture, food, and salsa. They are here to introduce an authentic, bold, and unapologetic salsa experience.
Janeen Mendoza Cruz @ Kuali LLC
Janeen Mendoza Cruz is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Kuali LLC, an artisanal Mexican salsa business rooted in Mexican culture, food, and salsa. They are here to introduce an authentic, bold, and unapologetic salsa experience.
Kamilah Mitchell @ Teas With Meaning
Kamilah Mitchell is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She founded Teas With Meaning, which provides organic loose-leaf tea blends and authentic tea experiences. Whether in baths, yoni steams, your favorite yogurt, or plant compost, TWM herbs can be enjoyed after the initial brew.
Kayisha Thompson @ DE L’OR CAKERY
Kayisha Thompson is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of DE L’OR CAKERY, a bakery specializing in a symphony of delights, crafting exquisite cookies, divine cupcakes, and their signature Artisanal Gourmet Cake Jars. Each creation is infused with a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will transport you to unparalleled indulgence.
Kyra Lumpkin @ Penrose Apothecary
Kyra Lumpkin is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Penrose Apothecary, a home decor brand that offers luxurious items to decorate your home and feel a sense of peace.
Lizzy Okpo @ The Oma, New York LLC
Lizzy Okpo is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of The Oma, New York LLC, a coffee shop based in NY & Home Decor Brand. Ranging from apothecary, bathroom accessories, kitchen decor, and clothing, The Oma is the perfect place for families to create their perfect home.
Melissa Gallardo @ Bonita Fierce Candles
Melissa Gallardo is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Bonita Fierce Candles, dedicated to creating premium home fragrances inspired by Latin heritage, providing a sense of familiarity, home, and belonging. Latinos don’t have scents and fragrances that accurately represent them in the home fragrance industry, and the brand aims to elevate the cultural crossroads of being Latin and American.
Priscilla Jiminian @ Skinergy Beauty
Priscilla Jiminian is a graduate of digitalundivided’s BREAKTHROUGH Program. She is the founder of Skinergy Beauty, a cosmetics brand, which aims to create products suitable for Latina skin, including hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and dark spots.