Today we’d like to introduce you to Sunny LaLuz.
Hi Sunny, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My activism started in the late 80s, living in Arizona. Arizona refused to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday as a federal holiday after President Reagan had signed into federal law. My mom took my sister and I to protest this. From that moment a fire was set inside of me. I found my voice.
The biggest impact was having one of my sons be targeted by a white principal who weaponized the SRO and other school system resources to go after my son. Seeing the world through the eyes of my Black son changed my entire perspective. The entire series of events that occurred over a 2-year span was eye-opening. I joined the local activism organization as we battled what seemed like the world. We won. The process was filled with life lessons and eye-opening experiences. I was viewing life through the lens of my son, who is now a 23-year-old Black man. It changed every fiber of my being.
I joined TikTok on my 41st birthday. I noticed I had information and experiences that left me with a wealth of knowledge I started sharing. Then, George Floyd. I will never forget any part of those events and watching the world erupt. I finally felt SEEN as a person within the diaspora. It has been an overwhelming time since then for Black, Brown and Indigenous people.
I decided that my activism, wisdom, advocacy and education led me to build my business. I am proud to see my hard work in motion. I have a range of experiences that allows me to have a nationwide business in which I handle an expansive range of avenues in advocacy and activism. My online platforms continue to grow, as I have now reached over 252k supporters and growing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Activism is never a smooth road. Having an up close view of what my Black son was going through by a white racist principal was gut-wrenching. I fought for my son all the way to the day of graduation (literally). Those experiences, along with supporting other parents by being a part of the local organization, uplifted my voice.
I did stand out. I am Taino and Black. Boricua. Many within the organization were not as fair-skinned or only have 25% Black historical roots. That placed me in the position to take a stand that I am within the diaspora. I will never allow anyone to take any part of me from me. I refuse to ignore my Blackness for anyone. I also do not ignore that I am Indigenous to Puerto Rico.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I walk the talk of my business. I research. I am with my clients every step of the way through what event they may be contending with. I have dealt with school districts, police departments, local elected officials, including elevating situations to the federal levels of government. I have a background in working as a federal contractor. This has allowed me to gain a unique understanding of the state and federal government operations.
My path is to be of service to vulnerable communities, especially those within the Black, Brown and Indigenous communities. I offer a wide range of services in these areas. My business model is intentional filled with empathy and compassion. I deal in social justice, voting, politics, and sharing knowledge. This knowledge sharing is inclusive of real history of BIPOC people.
Deciding to open a business that focuses on getting involved in some of the most painful, hurtful and dreadful things our community faces for existing was by far insanity. Only my entire being prevented me from being silent. I started to slowly build my business in 2019. Being a business owner is not for the faint of heart. Neither are the events those that contact me needing my services.
How do you think about luck?
Luck? I believe in opportunity. I believe we each have a destiny. Thatdestiny will, at some point, call upon you to take steps to live to your fullest life. I am sure this is an unexpected response; however, it is an honest one. For me, my inner self spoke to me. I was given no choice, but to choose me and make moves of change in 2019. That thinking has me thriving. I feel strong and only getting stronger. This is mental freedom. I am unconcerned with how the world perceives me as I am supposed to stand out. I am here to stand in spaces that uplift the BIPOC community. In a world that is showing repeated signed of being anti-Black women, I refuse to be silent. Luck is what you decide to go after. Without regret. Without doubt.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/_sunny_laluz
- Instagram: @_sunny_laluz
- Facebook: Sunny LaLuz
- Twitter: @sunny_laluz
- Other: Google: Sunny LaLuz, LLC
