Today we’d like to introduce you to Gigi Pedraza.
Gigi, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Born into a family full of strong women, I grew up with lots of financial challenges yet I always felt loved and supported. My mother worked all kinds of jobs and made sure we did homework, helped in the house, learned that there was a world outside waiting of our home and that we had an important role to play. She always instilled in us that giving back to the community was not something we did when we had money or time, it was how we lived our lives. We were always involved in volunteering, sharing food or resources.
I have been working since I was probably around 8 years old. I sold stickers in Elementary School so I could have money for candy. I have worked at fast food restaurants, have waited tables, poured cocktails, sold time-shares during the weekends, and sold crafts among other experiences.
Through scholarships and grants, I was able to get my higher education, it was really people that believed in my potential and invested in me. That really stayed in my mind. I don’t think I am particularly special but I truly believe that everybody deserves the opportunities I had.
Talent is distributed equally, but the opportunity is not. And that is the work we are doing through the Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia). Create opportunities for families, entrepreneurs, students to move forward and attain their aspirations of education, economic self-sufficiency, representation, etc.
When I moved to the US, to marry my husband, I quickly realized the importance of entrepreneurship as a wealth-building strategy but also as a tool for community development. I paired my experience and education to needs and gaps I saw in the state.
I successfully ran 3 businesses in the last 12 years, and now I am applying my business acumen and the love and firm belief I have in the importance of an effective and efficient nonprofit industry to the growth of the Latino Community Fund in Georgia.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Everything in life helps us grow and learn, so yes, I remember times when growing we literally had nothing to eat other than some vegetable my mom grew in our backyard, but we survived and so now I eat pretty much everything.
When moving to leadership positions, or rather creating space for your own leadership, I have found people making interesting comments to me, for example when I was a Director at a local nonprofit, I was once asked if the Director should not be taller, older and perhaps men in order to be successful.
Also recently, I was told that most people in Georgia are not used to listen to and take advice from people that look like me and talk like me. Sometimes, people have confused me with a maid, etc.
I think most importantly, I have had to struggle with myself and what I thought was “my place” and my role in the world as an immigrant, as a woman. It is an ongoing journey and I am enjoying it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia) – what should we know?
LCF Georgia is the only public charity in the state dedicated to supporting Latinx-led community organizations with advocacy, capacity building, and grant making. Our work, simply put, is to build a strong, influential and self-sufficient network of organizations led by our community, serving our community.
We provide scholarships, seed capital to micro-entrepreneurs and assistance for DACA renewals and naturalization through our member organizations and partners.
I am most proud that our funds are seeded by over 200 local donors dedicated to build a long-lasting legacy in the state. A community that is well educated, engaged and economically powerful.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My board is comprised of a diverse, strong, committed and powerful group of individuals that keep me grounded, provide support and guide the work we do.
Our first 10 Giving Circle donors, that cared believed and understood we all have a role to play in building a community together. Their sustained investment seeded the funds in our first year and continue to seed our funds.
– Karla Arriola
– Aida Perez-Flamm
– Lillian Rodriguez-Lopez
– Jason Esteves
– Tina Fernandez
– Henry Kelly
– Elba Pareja-Gallagher
– Maria Peck
– Antonio Molina
– Eddy Elguezabal
My grandmother, of course, that believed anything was possible for me and encouraged me to try different things.
My husband, always supportive of my work and most importantly of my vision.
Pricing:
- $90 a month allow us to provide a $1,000 scholarship to a Latinx student in the state
- $500 helps support civic DACA renewal financial assistance
- $250 supports our network operations
Contact Info:
- Address: 50 Hurt Plaza SE, Suite 740, Atlanta, GA 30303
- Website: http://www.LCFGeorgia.org
- Email: gigi@LCFGeorgia.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcf_georgia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LCFGeorgia/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LCFGeorgia
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
