A su manera: Su voz, her game

Thread - story/protagonist focused with product tout

Word count 533

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Latinas are expected to fit a mold, but there is no right way to be Latina. From a young age, they hear the world’s loud expectations to look, talk, think a certain way. For Latine Heritage Month, three Latinas athletes block out the noise and tell us what it’s like to find their voice in their game.

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“People don't expect me to be “Latina.” But I love that I'm unconventional. I love that I’m many things at once: I'm melanated; I have kinky-curly hair; I'm Latina; I speak Spanish and English…”

Nicky Nieves – American and Puerto Rican, USA Volleyball Team Paralympian

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Latinas are complex – ethnically, culturally, physically, and mentally diverse. No one understands this more than Nicky Nieves, USA Volleyball Team Paralympian, Afro-Latina blogger, and non-profit founder. She wants to be the representation she didn’t have growing up.

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“I have never seen an Afro-Latina that plays sitting volleyball, that’s with Nike, and that is doing so many things. I want to be that person for a young athlete.”

Nicky Nieves – American and Puerto Rican, USA Volleyball Team Paralympian

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Nicky discovered her voice and worth when she embraced her full self: her disability, her skin, her game, and in doing so, redefined the game of volleyball at the world’s stage.

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“Sport for me is being present in the moment, being part of a community, and finding your voice.”

Nicky Nieves – American and Puerto Rican, USA Volleyball Team Paralympian

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Representation is a powerful thing; Kimberly Zinuega decided to become a nail artist after being inspired by a Latina-run salon on her college commute. These days, you can spot her nail art on Kali Uchis, Melanie Martinez, Olivia Rodrigo, and on the covers of Teen Vogue. Representation is also why she became a roller skater.

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“I saw a Latina roller skater and I just thought, ‘That looks so cool and if she can do it, I can do it for sure.’”

Kimberly Zuniga – Chicana rollerskater and nail artist

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For Chantel Navarro, her voice was louder than the noise. In the Latine community, boxing is considered a man’s sport. Initially, her parents did not want her to box. “Put her on the ring and see what happens,” her mother told her father, former professional boxer and trainer, Nacho Navarro. But true to the spirit of Latinas, Chantel is as fearless as her family.

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“I ended up falling in love with the sport. And I'm here six years later with six national championships and doing big things.”

Chantal Navarro – Chicana-American Boxer, Six Times National Boxing Champion, and World Boxing Council Amateur Champion

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These atletas Latinas did not hesitate, drowned out the No’s and Cant’s, and gained the support of their families, showing them que sí se puede!

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“When I was a little girl, I never in a million years would I have thought I would be the youngest Latina/e to ever sign with Nike.”

Chantal Navarro – Chicana-American Boxer, National Boxing Champion, and World Boxing Council Amateur Champion