Business Resource Network

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the rich history, traditions, culture and contributions of the Latin community. Starting this week, HOLA will be shining the spotlight on some of the trailblazing Hispanic and Latin leaders who are making an impact throughout the state of Tennessee.

Our first profile in this series highlights Diane Janbakhsh, owner of Plaza Mariachi and founder of the Hispanic Family Foundation. Ms. Janbakhsh grounds her success in service to her community, lifting up those in need through education and support. For this week’s profile, we talked to Ms. Janbakhshabout her work within the Nashville community and how she celebrates her Latin heritage.

Where are you from and how long have you been in the U.S.? 

I was born in Warren, Arkansas to a Mexican mother from Monterrey, Mexico and a father from southern Irish American descent. My early childhood was spent in Monterrey, Mexico,

where my mother had a dental practice and my father taught English classes to the executive teams of local corporations. My family returned to the United States in the mid 80s,

and we moved to Nashville in the summer of 1985. I have lived in Nashville since 1985 and have seen it grow in diversity, sizeand culture!

What is your biggest accomplishment as a Latino leader and/or achiever?

I believe that our biggest accomplishment is serving the community and making a difference in the lives of Hispanic families. If we can meet their needs and help to educateand strengthen them, I believe we can positively impact our communities.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?

Hispanic Heritage Monthis a celebration of where I come from, where my roots are planted, and where the beauty of culture and richness originates in my bloodline. There is a song called “Mexicoen la Piel” (which translates to “Mexico in your skin”)— to me, it captures what I feel when I think of my heritage. I love to be a part of celebrations like Fiestas Patrias, to teach children about the festivities, and to create the space for peopleto enjoy and learn about the Latino culture!

Why are you proud of your Hispanic heritage?

I am proud of my Hispanic culture because it is a part of who I am. It helped me become the person that I am today, one who cares for others and loves diversity. It reminds me that people are more alike than theyare different, and that we can all find something to celebrate!

 What is your favorite dish from your home country or heritage?

Oh, gosh! I love the gourmet and traditional gastronomy of Mexico. My top two dishes are molé (moh-lay) poblano and pozole (poh-zoh-lay).Andof course, Mexican street corn,

tacos, tamales, champurrado, churros, helados, raspados, chamoyadas and the candies

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the rich history, traditions, culture and contributions of the Latin community. Starting this week, HOLA will be shining the spotlight on some of the trailblazing Hispanic and Latin leaders who are making an impact throughout the state of Tennessee.

Our second profile in this series highlights Dr. Jaime A. Romero, Jr., the oral and maxillofacial surgeon behind Solace Oral Surgery. Dr. Romero is the first private practice Latino oral surgeon in Nashville and has been practicing in Tennessee for over eight years. Along with his professional responsibilities, Dr. Romero donates his time and efforts to the Interfaith Dental Clinic, Hope Smiles, One Gen Away and Brentwood Baptist Medical Dental Unit. For this week’s profile, we talked to Dr. Romero about his biggest accomplishments as a Latin leader and how he celebrates his heritage.

1. Where are you from and how long have you been in the U.S.?
I was born in Chula Vista, California but grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. I moved to the U.S. permanently when I was about 17 years old and went back to school to get a high school degree since I had dropped out five years prior to that. That's another long story.

2. What are your thoughts on Latino representation in health care?
Latinos represent about 5% of all dentists in the U.S., and in Tennessee, we make up 1.5% of that number (data provided by the American Dental Association). The specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery is extremely demanding, so there are even less Latino oral surgeons. To me, having three — including Dr. Luis Vega, director of the residency program at Vanderbilt, and Dr. Armando Aguilera, a private practice oral surgeon in Murfreesboro — in the Middle Tennessee area is a pretty big deal. I am a big proponent of education and would love to see our youth pursue careers in the medical field since Latinos are extremely underrepresented.  

3. What is your biggest accomplishment as a Latino leader and/or achiever?
I try my best to be as successful as I can to show other people, especially our youth, that the sky is the limit. I have done many things in a short period of time. I've been told that I have lived a full life and I'm barely halfway there. I have been to war. I have survived poverty. I have overcome the struggles of learning a second language to become educated. I have become an entrepreneur and now own multiple businesses. Those might be considered accomplishments, but for me, I work to help our youth strive for greatness.

Our communities need more education, they need to believe that dreams are possible. I feel that most of the time, we are limited by our environment because we don't know any better. Very few people can see beyond the walls of poverty and know what is possible. Even fewer have the courage to challenge the status quo and pursue those possibilities. I was one of those few, and I feel like part of my responsibility is to help those around me achieve what they once thought impossible. Thinking back to your question, “what is my biggest accomplishment as a Latino leader?”  I think my biggest accomplishment is having the honor of being considered a Latino leader. That in itself is more powerful than anything I've done before because I have the ability to indirectly or directly affect someone's life for the better. 

4. What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
I celebrate Hispanic Heritage all the time. I'm proud to be Latino and make it known as much as I can. Hispanic Heritage Month just gives me an opportunity to reflect on all the great things many of our ancestors have done for our growth as a Latino community. As for my family, we try to attend events and support our community as much as possible. COVID has reduced some of the things we would like to do, but we try to support Latino-owned businesses as much as we can.  

5. Why are you proud of your Hispanic heritage?
Our heritage is rich and broad with many influences from multiple parts of the world. I feel like we are a melting pot of all the best things the world has to offer. We have a beautiful culture, amazing food, happy and upbeat music, and a history of having a fighting spirit. What's not to love?

6. What is your favorite dish from your home country or heritage?
It's a simple dish, but I love chilaquiles. Chiles Rellenos are a close second. 

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the rich history, traditions, culture and contributions of the Latin community. Starting this week, HOLA will be shining the spotlight on some of the trailblazing Hispanic and Latin leaders who are making an impact throughout the state of Tennessee.

Our third profile in this series highlights Danielle Moss, district beauty director for Dillard’s South Central region. Ms. Moss began her career with Dillard’s 17 years ago, and currently oversees the beauty and fragrance business within Dillard's department stores. Along with her professional responsibilities, Ms. Moss donates her time and efforts to the American Cancer Society Nashville, The Joe Beretta Foundation, St. Jude’s and HOLA.For this week’s profile, we talked to Ms. Mossabout her biggest accomplishments as a Latin leader and how she celebrates her heritage.

Where are you from and how long have you been in the U.S.?

I was born right outside of Los Angeles, California, a third generation American born with Mexican heritage. I have a long history of roots in Los Angeles, but my family tree is very robust. Growing up, I was surrounded by my Mexican heritage and didn’t really know anything different — I thought every American family had tamales for Christmas! My mother uprooted my sisters and I to Nashville 26 years ago, and I felt a responsibility to keep our Mexican heritage protected and thriving.  It is so beautiful to see Nashville grow in diversity, embracing the culture, foodand arts much more radically than it did 26 years ago. 

What is your biggest accomplishment as a Latino leader and/or achiever?

I continue to use my career to find opportunities to be mentored and to help those looking to pursue leadership roles. As a Latino achiever, I am proud to be among a growing group of Latino and female leaders within my work family. My biggest accomplishment as a Latin leader is making connections within my community regardless of the way I look, but by the way I am directly passionate about the cause.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of my ancestors’ contributions to the United States!  I am third generation American born, and yet I am so proud to have a deep connection to my Mexican roots from my great grandparents. We celebrate by honoring and remembering our ancestors, respecting our land, praying and having faith in God, and most of all, getting the family together for good traditional food. I listen toLinda Ronstadt’s “Canciones de Mi Padre”album on repeat — growing up, my mother played this album loudly on Saturday mornings as we did chores. This grounds me.  

Education is key. My parents both passed at a very young age, so it has been very important for my sisters and I to keep learning about our heritage and pass that information along to the younger generation. My sisters and I spend a lot of time revising and reviewing our family tree and connecting the names with all the family photos we have kept and collected over the years.  

We also pay tribute to those that fought and served in the U.S. armed forces with Hispanic heritage. This honors my own family members that have served in the army and navy. We also learn about the U.S. representatives that pushed to have the proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Week expanded to a month-long celebration.

Why are you proud of your Hispanic heritage?

I feel so connected to the pride and hardship of my late parents and grandparents, whogrew up in Los Angeles during the Chicano movement. I remember that no matter what, you work hard, you stay close to family, you protect your family name, you learn from the past, you define your future, you give back and you practice your Mexican traditions (and learn to cook!). My tios and tias have been instrumental in passing along ourtraditions and sharing memories with me — even if it hurts to talk about them. They remind me to be proud of the blood that runs through our veins. This is what gives me courage to be vocal about celebrating my Hispanic heritage. 

What is your favorite dish from your home country or heritage?

Where do I begin?My mother's enchilada recipe, pozole, tamales, anything with lime and chili salt, homemade rice, homemade tortillas chips and traditional guacamole (it usually takes about 12 avocados to feed my family). Also, carne asadastreet tacos!

One of my favorite memories is standing in line with my Grandpa Manuel waiting for fresh pan dulce conchas and bolillos for every holiday or family gathering.