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TAMPA, Fla. — According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics are underrepresented when it comes to the media industry, making up only 12% of workers.
In Tampa, one woman is making sure Latino stories are told.
Keila Lopez is a rapper and entrepreneur looking to open doors for Latinas like herself and help them increase the stake they hold in the media world.
Lopez is almost finished with her first album and says the platform that music gave her, opened her eyes to what she says is a lack of Latina representation in the media world.
It’s part of the reason she started her own business, ‘About Us Media.’
“Music was kind of our first language it was the first time that I felt that I could express myself,” she said. “Women and girls have so much innovative creativity, so many incredible stories and they deserve to have a platform to be able to share that to shape and shift culture for good.”
She’s even working with local artist Taylor Young to publish a book, sharing her goddaughter’s journey growing up.
Through her business, Lopez is sharing the stories of Latina women in media, publishing and advertising.
She’s also created a podcast where she brings together women in the media world to discuss the roles and challenges they face.
“I want to be able to make people feel welcome, I want them to know you can sit with me, this is a space that’s welcome and open to you to be creative and for us to collaborate,” said Lopez.
Although social media is good at connecting people, she’s also taking the time to connect with people in person.
Every week she attends networking events, looking to meet other members of the media, mentors or anyone who can further her effort to serve Latinas in the community.
But it doesn’t stop there, as she’s also making her way into schools with her ABC’s tour. It brings music to hundreds of students to inspire them to reach for the stars.
As she makes her mark in the world of music Lopez hopes her platform brings people together, saying that’s a “message” worth spreading.
“If there’s a dream that you have, something that you are passionate about that you want to pursue that’s positive and makes a difference by all means go for it, she said.”
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