Today we’d like to introduce you to Beyazmin Jimenez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I am a housing advocate and activist by profession, and a writer/blogger by passion! As long as I can remember, I’ve been a strong advocate for social and racial justice and writing has always been an outlet for my ideas about a just and equitable world.
In 2012, while completing my undergraduate degree in Political Science at Umass-Lowell, I was privileged enough to study abroad in Bangkok, Thailand. I extended my travels in Thailand for an additional three months by volunteering for an organization that taught English to underprivileged children and adults. The experience abroad really helped me hone in on the focus areas I wanted my career to take on, and allowed me to grow as an individual. It was also during this time that I began writing more and keeping a daily journal.
Fast forward to 2017, I completed my Master’s in Urban Planning and began working with the lifestyle and fashion site The Fuschia Files (thefuschiafiles.com) as a contributor. The blog Street Art + Food came to life as a way to document my personal travels. The Street Art + Food blog covers local food and traditions to inspire other travelers looking to visit and share the unique attributes of places and their cultural lens. My profession as a housing advocate and urban planner also came into play through the blog as I focus on urban issues such as housing, transportation, and the right to the city through my writing.
Moving forward, I want to continue combining my passions of social justice and travel through my writing as a way to share stories, inspire new ideas, creativity and find ways to learn more about cities and their residents. I am thankful for the privilege of travel and my experiences both domestic and abroad for offering a source of inspiration for my life.
Great, 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?
I started writing in 2012 but it took me nearly 5 years to go public with my blog! During this time, I saw the prominence of blogging take form as social media began to increase in popularity through many different avenues. I was nervous that I was entering a field that seemed at first glance saturated and narcissistic. I doubted my writing style, and my content. I pushed it away and for a few years allowed fear to keep me from my passion.
As I learned more about urban planning through my graduate studies, I began once again to have the yearning to write. My final year of graduate school, I traveled to Denmark and the Netherlands. During my time abroad, I began to document my experiences through the Notes app on my Iphone, and later on Google Docs. When I returned, I shared my drafts with my partner who provided amazing feedback and it sent my mind whirling with possibilities.
Once I completed graduate school, I had more time to develop a plan of action for my blog. I continued to travel and this boosted my confidence as I learned more about different countries and their culture. Finally, I drafted my first story and was offered an opportunity to become a contributor through The Fuschia Files. I was so nervous about the public feedback but thankfully most of it was very positive! It is once again a reminder to not allow fear to cloud our judgement. As individuals, we all have a lot to contribute to the world, and our efforts will not be in vain when we choose to put our creative ideas into action.
Please tell us about The Fuschia Files: Street Art + Food.
What sets me apart from others is that I am Dominican woman and Millennial. My travels are not sponsored by a major hotel or airline, and my blog content is authentic and relevant to young women travelers.
As an Afro-Latina, I ensure to capture culture from every place I visit as I cherish my own culture and understand the value it has in my personal life.
As a young writer, I ensure to capture the spirit of youth and young adults through my writing by understanding their lens in the world and bringing that to life through storytelling. Wherever possible, I ensure to communicate with local residents throughout the many cities I visit and follow the local way. This allows me to truly capture the essence of a city.
Finally, I have learned to bring my true self in all areas of my life both professionally and personally. I will not dim my light to make anyone feel more comfortable.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood is eating fresh mangoes in Dominican Republic by the river with my cousins, with merengue music blasting nearby while the sun was shining in my face. My island will forever be my refuge and I am a Caribbean gal at heart through and through!
Contact Info:
- Website: thefuschiafiles.com
- Email: beyazmin.j@gmail.com
- Other:
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