Local Noise: Yasi
From defying her immigrant parents’ wishes to dealing with mental health, Iranian-American musician, Yasi, explains what it took to follow her dreams.
Nia Hampton Connects Baltimore to Afro-Latinidad Diaspora in ‘Drapetomania’
The word previously used to describe the unequivocally racist medical diagnosis known as “runaway slave syndrome” carries a new—but related—meaning in the artist’s latest work.
Be You: Keigh Crespo
Before Columbus came into the picture, Puerto Rico was known as Borinquen and its people were known as the indigenous Taino people.” “When Keigh Crespo, a native to the island, learned about her Taino roots, she was shocked that none of her family, except for her abuelas, had been in touch with their ancestral traditions. […]
Arthur Jafa’s Unbridled View of Black America
The artist’s latest exhibition at Gavin Brown imagined new possibilities for black-centric narratives.
Local Noise: Yasi
From defying her immigrant parents’ wishes to dealing with mental health, Iranian-American musician, Yasi, explains what it took to follow her dreams.
Nia Hampton Connects Baltimore to Afro-Latinidad Diaspora in ‘Drapetomania’
The word previously used to describe the unequivocally racist medical diagnosis known as “runaway slave syndrome” carries a new—but related—meaning in the artist’s latest work.
Be You: Keigh Crespo
Before Columbus came into the picture, Puerto Rico was known as Borinquen and its people were known as the indigenous Taino people.” “When Keigh Crespo, a native to the island, learned about her Taino roots, she was shocked that none of her family, except for her abuelas, had been in touch with their ancestral traditions. […]
Arthur Jafa’s Unbridled View of Black America
The artist’s latest exhibition at Gavin Brown imagined new possibilities for black-centric narratives.
The Diligent Public Health Advocate Antonia Novello
A look back at the prolific career of the first woman and first person of Latin descent to become U.S....
Local Noise: Yasi
From defying her immigrant parents' wishes to dealing with mental health, Iranian-American musician, Yasi, explains what it took to follow...
Nia Hampton Connects Baltimore to Afro-Latinidad Diaspora in ‘Drapetomania’
The word previously used to describe the unequivocally racist medical diagnosis known as “runaway slave syndrome” carries a new—but related—meaning...
Arthur Jafa’s Unbridled View of Black America
The artist’s latest exhibition at Gavin Brown imagined new possibilities for black-centric narratives.
Hidden Figuras: Arturo Schomburg
One of the Harlem Renaissance's great minds was a Puerto Rican named Arturo Schomburg.
The Crusade of Transgender Activist Sylvia Rivera
The Bronx-born transgender activist worked tirelessly for justice and civil rights—and became a driving force in the mainstream gay liberation...
Be You: Keigh Crespo
Before Columbus came into the picture, Puerto Rico was known as Borinquen and its people were known as the indigenous...
Behind the Scenes with Harlem FC’s Joseph Koroma
At home and on the field with the Major League Soccer star in New York City.
Cholito Samurai: Nando Chang Explores Cultural Fusion Through Hip-Hop and Food
We met the 29-year-old Peruvian-Chinese rapper and chef at his family-owned restaurant in Miami, Florida.
The Allure of Actor Dolores del Rio
Selected as the first woman to sit on the Cannes Film Festival jury, actor Dolores del Rio's impact on cinema...
Point x Point: Joseph Koroma
"When you have someone that's low income, they take it seriously. They're hungry." — Joseph Koroma, 16, speaks out about...
The Art of Living for Yourself: Monica Garza’s Paints Autonomous, Self-Assured Women
We spoke to the Atlanta-based artist about painting and living freely.
The Conscientious Journalist Ruben Salazar
While he may have struggled with the dichotomy of his identity, the legendary Chicano movement journalist was still a natural...
Perreo Ahora: Rosa Pistola, Tomasa Del Real, and the Legacy of Ivy Queen
As reggaeton thrives in the mainstream, two independent women offer distinct visions for the genre's future.
BESE Meets: Ehlie Luna
From the streets of Harlem to the NYC Ballet, Ehlie Luna is one of New York's finest makeup artists.
The Pioneering Astronaut Ellen Ochoa
Twenty-five years ago, the NASA astronaut broke barriers when she became the first Latina in space.
Sweet Sensation: How Hip-Hop and Salsa Birthed One of Freestyle’s Finest
Hip-hop owes a great deal to the musical traditions of Cuba and Puerto Rico, artistic cultures exported to neighborhoods like...
Payasa with a Purpose: Andie Flores Brings Latinx Visibility to Sketch Comedy and Beyond
“For me, the main reason I wanted to perform in the first place was because there was huge lack of...
What It Means to Be in ‘The 200%’
It’s time to accept that people are able to identify with many different cultures and communities.
Folkslore: Lil Grandma
"I've never healed so fast as the time Lil Grandma bound me to a dead bird."
Ray Barretto’s ‘Acid’: 50 Years Later
The Latin music legend's groundbreaking album remains a thrilling listen not just for the salsa it portended, but for what...
The Unwavering Activism of Luisa Moreno
A brief history of a Guatemalan woman who became a prominent figure during the height of the American labor movement.
The Cultural Shift and Mainstream Acceptance of Brujeria
The once hidden practice of Brujeria is now a global feminist movement where young Latinx folks reconnect with their indigenous...
Hidden Figuras: Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente was a true hero on and off the field.
Meet the Young Entrepreneurs Behind Puerto Rico’s Only Local Makeup Line
Four months after laboring to open a storefront, Hurricane Maria struck the island, and Des Otero and Zal Perez thought...
The Importance of Boxing Gyms in Latinx Communities
Like many gyms across Latinx communities, Vivero Boxing Gym in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, teaches more than just fighting.
Hidden Figuras: Dolores Huerta
Contrary to popular belief, this great American civil rights activist actually coined the call to action, "Sí se puede!"
The Authenticity of Laura Aguilar
The Queer and Latinx photographer Laura Aguilar used her photography as a tool to navigate the complex feelings and tensions...
Point x Point: Rudy Garcia-Tolson
“They all look at me because I’m different, but I look at them because they’re all the same.”
Anita Scott Coleman: Afro-Latinx Writer of the Harlem Renaissance
The often overlooked writer broadened the narrative within the concept of black art that was often centered around the experiences...
How Puerto Rican Women Made Birth Control Possible—at the Expense of Their Health
Altogether, an estimated 1,500 Puerto Rican women were tested on without proper consent.
Hidden Figuras: Domingo Liotta
Everyone should know more about the man who created the world’s first total artificial heart.
The Nuanced Portrayal of Black and Latinx Teens in ‘On My Block’
A new Netflix series shows that navigating the magical and gritty path leading to adolescence can be done with humor...
BESE Meets: Pogo Pope
“Getting into punk was the best thing for me. It absolutely saved my life."
A New Mexican Novelist Is Keeping Borderlands Literature and Culture Alive
“I grew up with a respect for people’s objects. My life is an extension of that.”
The Quietest Form of Displacement
Sebastián Hidalgo documents the gentrification and indirect displacement of Pilsen, Chicago.
Sea of Change: Calor
This 17-year-old figured out a way to help protect farm workers from extreme heat.
Why I’m on Mission to Protect Farm Workers
Calor founder Faith Florez writes about the inspiration behind her life-saving app for farm workers, and the challenges moving forward.
Concert in the Classroom: Using Music as a Cultural Gateway
Listening to Bajofondo, Bomba Estéreo, and Calle 13 in this untraditional Massachusetts Spanish class.
Autistic People Are Breaking Stereotypes and Connecting Online
At a time when both understanding and resources for autistic people are scarce, a loose-knit online network has stepped up...
Hidden Figuras: Luis von Ahn
Meet the Guatemalan protecting your computer from spambots.
Faces of Change: March for Our Lives Los Angeles
The nationwide event series was one of the largest demonstrations in US history.
Be You: Devyn Galindo
“You just gotta break out and do you, and not listen to what anybody has to say. It sounds cliché,...
Meet the Man Helping Deported US Military Veterans
As the law stands currently, deported veterans can only return to the U.S. to be buried.
Meet the First Undocumented Immigrant Appointed to a Statewide Post
Lizbeth Mateo will now serve on a committee aimed to improve college access for low-income and underrepresented students.
Point x Point: Sophina DeJesus
This Gymnast didn't let a broken back stop her from chasing her dreams.
Ni Aquí, Ni Allá: Not Here, Not There
Photographer Groana Melendez shares her work exploring hybrid identities through self-representation in this series of her family.
Beyond ‘Braless’: Ness Nite Makes Music For the Future
Ness Nite, like her new album Dream Girl, is from nowhere and everywhere at the same time.
Hidden Figuras: Sylvia Mendez
This 9-year-old girl ended school segregation in California, years before the Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Inside an Oregon Youth Correctional Facility, Art and Hip Hop Are Thriving
Meet the young men of Morpheus Youth Project, a program empowering those from the most marginalized areas of our communities.
BESE Meets: Rudy De Anda
Psychedelic rock musician Rudy De Anda takes us on a tour through his hometown of Long Beach.
Sea of Change: Border Angels
In our first episode of Sea of Change, watch the Border Angels leave life-saving supplies for those traveling across the...
Hidden Figuras: Luis Miramontes
Watch our first episode of 'Hidden Figuras' and learn about the Mexican chemist who changed society forever.
Welcome to BESE
BESE’s mission is to broaden and reshape the cultural narrative by shining light on the untold stories that reflect today’s...
Seniesa ‘Superbad’ by Estevan Oriol
Estevan Oriol visits East LA boxer Seniesa Estrada at CM Boxing Studios in Alahambra, California.
Meet the Owner of Café Con Libros, A Feminist Bookstore In Brooklyn
Café Con Libros challenges the mainstream with a safe space for community dialogue and overlooked identities.
What Is BESE: An Open Letter From Zoe Saldana
BESE is a new media platform that represents communities that have been left out of mainstream discourse for too long.
One Seed at a Time: The Sustainable Agriculture Movement in Puerto Rico
Inside a historic colonial building in Puerto Rico's cobblestoned Old San Juan, the movement for autonomy is alive and thriving.
Curanderx, Lara Pacheco, Reclaims Ancestral Herbalism
Meet the Portland-based curanderx helping people connect with ancestral roots and tradition through plant healing and medicine.