Scholars of Color- Bernie Molina
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 Bernie Molina to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Bernie Molina
Gender Pronouns: Her/She/Hers
What do you currently do for work and/or school?: I am the author of Herencia Cookbook and in less than two weeks, Primero Dios, I will become a mom!
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: I am half Mexican-American, half Salvadorian-American and 100% Latina! I was born and raised in South East Los Angeles. This SELA SalviMex upbringing molded me into the person I am today. I am so grateful for this identity and cherish it dearly. I would also like to share that I am the type of mujer who loves to laugh, eat, and spend time with my loved ones. I absolutely love hosting people in my home. I feel most myself when there is good food, good drinks, good music, and good company in my home.
What are you passionate about?: My culture and family. Honoring my ancestors and the matriarchs who nurtured and nourished me. The pillars of my book are honoring my SalviMex roots and matriarchs through food, taking the fuss out of cooking by offering practical tips and modern hacks, and providing easy to implement (semi) healthy tips. It is very possible to enjoy the foods of our culture in a nutritionally balanced way. In this way, Herencia Cookbook is my small and humble contribution to give back to my identity, which has given me so much. Each recipe is preluded by an anecdote about the person who inspired the dish. As I reflect on the matriarchs of my life, I hope that those who read my book will feel seen, and think fondly of the matriarchs who impacted them.
Why is the representation of scholars of color important to you?: What really stood out to me was a quote about the word scholar being redefined. The idea of a scholar is someone who is able to interpret and spread information to society, and it doesn’t necessarily need to be in one specific way. For instance, I learned the most from the senoras in my life. They are not professional chefs, yet they are some of the most talented homecooks I have ever met. Through oral tradition, recipes were handed down from matriarch to matriarch and I felt compelled to share these memories and recipes in my own book. I hope when people read about the matriarchs of my life, they feel seen and can reminisce about the matriarchs who impacted them. After all, our matriarchs at times share so much more than homecooked meals. They share a legacy through recipes.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: They can visit my website, herenciacookbook.com
Anything else you would like us to know?: Two things:
1. I like to honor the fact that I am a second-generation food entrepreneur. When I was growing up, my mom owned and operated a Mexican bakery. Seeing her balance entrepreneurship and motherhood inspired me to go for my own dreams today as an adult and mother-to-be. I believe that I would not have the courage to be an entrepreneur if it were not for my mother's example.
2. It's all about mindset. There were so many mental blockages that kept me paralyzed in fear and delayed me from writing the book sooner. Now I look back and wonder, how could I have missed out on all that time? To anyone out there who has an idea and is scared to start, I've been there. The best thing I can tell you is to just start. Get started and the pieces will fall into place. I am a firm believer that when you are on the right track, and are doing what you are meant to be doing, The Universe will illuminate your path. So get started on working on that idea and making it a reality. If it comes from the heart and you do it with the best intentions, The Universe will absolutely have your back!
Thank you Bernie 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.
