Scholars of Color- Armando Ibanez
What is Scholars of Color?
It is a platform in which scholars of color are purposefully celebrated. It’s a space where scholars of color are showcased front and center. It is a digital space where we feel empowered and resilient. Let us get to know each other. Let us cheer each other on AND show the world what we have to offer.
Let us now welcome Armando Ibanez to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Armando Ibanez
Gender Pronouns: He/Him/His
What do you currently do for work and/or school?: I'm a independent filmmaker and Editor
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: I describe myself as a very messy queer Mexican boy. I like to use a little humor about identity all the time. I am someone who is passionate about learning and growing every day. I love movies and TV, love my friends and my family. As part of the queer community, some people see me as less than, so I love reclaiming my humanity every day with my queerness.
What are you passionate about?: I love films since I was a kid back in Mexico but I never thought I could choose filmmaking as a profession. When I came to the U.S. and after a long journey I finally enrolled in community college, and I realized filmmaker was a major I could choose I decided I wanted to be a filmmaker and I wanted to use storytelling to create social change, and to represent the undocumented queer community in a different way than what mainstream media always shows. And that’s why I created my web series Undocumented Tales, because I wanted to change narratives about our people, and I also wanted them to see themselves on the screen. Social change on the screen is my passion.
Why is the representation of scholars of color important to you?: When I graduated from College I bragged about it in all social media, because we need to tell our own that we can do it. I understand we all have our own journey and experiences and by sharing our accomplishments we can also encourage others to keep going. I enrolled in college when I was 30 and I graduated at 36. It’s important that we tell our people that it is never too late to pursue our goals.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: They can follow my work page on FB, IG @Undocumentedtales or they can write to undocumentedtalesseries@gmail.com. And they can also check out my work here: www.undocumentedtales.com
Anything else you would like us to know?: I just want to tell my undocumented queer community that we’re living difficult times and there’s a lot of uncertainty right now but please don’t give up. Take care of your mental health and always look for support. Always look for someone to talk to. You’re not alone.
Thank you Armando for sharing space with us!
Stay tuned everyone for more Scholars of Color profiles. Interested in being showcased yourself? Please email the Scholars of Color team at scholarsofcolor@reclaimingyourhappiness.com and we will get back to you shortly.
