Photos by Latina Bohemian 26’
INTERVIEW WITH
Latina Bohemian
Latina Bohemian, is the daughter of immigrants—from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico—she walked the halls of her community college with the weight of a wild dream on her shoulders: to carve a different future, not just for herself, but for those who would come after. To tell her story is to honor generations of quiet resistance. Her creative fire—once questioned by a loving, practical grandmother who feared the risks of an artistic life—never dimmed. Instead, it became a lantern. Through journalism, music, and film, she reclaims her past and reframes her purpose, carrying with her the lessons of a woman who believed in small treasures and a different kind of freedom. Now, through her work and voice, she offers others a second and third point of view—a reminder that significance is not found in chasing unreachable standards, but in honoring the truths we carry, the women who came before us, and the futures we dare to imagine.
Diamond Smith. You mention your grandmother’s words as a guiding force in your decision to return to school. How has her memory shaped your sense of purpose—and do you feel that storytelling helps keep her presence alive in your life and work?
Latina Bohemian. My late grandmother’s memory has shaped my idea of purpose, for example, I used to view the world solemnly based on a first-person point of view and now viewed in a second- and third person point of view. There was a time where I believed that if you achieved a certain level of success in life that you have real significance and relevance. This created an unreachable level to attain and unnecessary pressure since I was aiming for things that weren’t authentic to me as a human being. I remember her briefly telling me to value the small treasures in life and take full advantage of resources around me, one, public education. This has influenced the way I approach storytelling because the life experiences I’ve had are incorporated in creative work. Keeping her memory alive by sharing our most intimate and opposing encountering is how I re live and maintain her presence. She was a petite brown woman who had beautiful dreams and distant hope. That’s why we still somehow connect till this day, we both envision a different outcome for women like us. Women who are fighters, believers, and dreamers.
Diamond Smith. When you walk through educational spaces now, how does your relationship to them feel different than it did in the past? What does reclaiming those spaces look like for you as a first-gen student?
Latina Bohemian. When I returned to Bunker Hill Community College, it was a few months before the global pandemic surged. To be frank, I was still discontent due to past failures and my mind would circle with repetitive thoughts of “this is it, no looking back.” My relationship with education had a bittersweet feeling, due to being a late bloomer. I got my associate degree at almost 30 years old.
Now, in educational spaces I have better clarity and understanding. I’ve learned what works best for me and what does not. If there are impediments, I don’t surrender fast, even if I get tempted. Quitting is not my favorite word. I found this invisible strength within me with every step I take. As a first-generation student I have taken my destiny into my own hands, no matter where it leads me, I don’t live in a triangle.
Diamond Smith. In what ways does storytelling show up in your journey—whether through writing, conversation, or reflection? Has telling your own story helped you understand your community or lineage in new ways?
Latina Bohemian. I tend to create, translate, and reflect conversations into writing wholeheartedly. You can observe how I portray it in my poems and creative writing. I’ve only shared few previews of my personal journey thus far; I want to dive more into the topic of mental health. For example, my late father was an alcoholic and didn’t live a healthy life both inwardly and outwardly. He died in his 40s, which was relatively young in my eyes. I didn’t realize how his physical absence affected me while trying to navigate life as an adult and many people can relate to this subject.
This is how we bond through stories. Connecting through our vulnerabilities and breaking trauma together. Trauma is real but it can have an ending. We all can have a fresh start; I believe in that. I believe as a tribe we have that immense possibility.
Diamond Smith. Are there stories from your Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage that you feel are at risk of being forgotten? How do you personally work to keep those stories present and visible?
Latina Bohemian. I don’t want to neglect the power of heritage. I think there’s always a risk there since I was raised with the American culture. I always make sure to speak Spanish around individuals who share my native language because it the tradition alive. I never want to dismiss where I came from, because my roots are a part of my DNA.
What I am doing on my part is sharing stories about cultural obstacles relevant today. For example, being a minority who was raised low-income and with a mother who was disabled and on social security. I choose to not let generational blockages affect my self-worth, my vision, and my attitude. There is boldness in that statement, and saying out loud is prophetic.
This limitless mentality was not born overnight, but it’s attainable. It just takes a lot of willpower to say, no one will take my confidence. Confidence doesn’t cost money; confidence is training our brains to adapt to positive thinking.
Stories just have that magnetism. They inspire you to do the unthinkable and impact your creativity.
Diamond Smith. How do you define care in educational settings? Have there been moments in your academic path where you felt genuinely seen or nurtured? How do you extend that care to others now?
Latina Bohemian. I define care as being truly understood, included, welcomed, and seen for who you are. Those different layers are what make an educational environment special. During my time at the community college, I crossed paths with a few staff members who were supportive. The main two that cross my mind is my first professor, a man of color with a great sense of humor and demonstrated genuine support towards his students. Second, the past coordinator at the food pantry who made sure we got the assistance we needed.
I’m trying my best at extending care to others, while I have a long way to go, the way I think I have given support is by being a part of platforms and through collaboration where there’s social awareness and self-expression. Being an open-minded person, I find enthusiasm in a variety of things.
Diamond Smith. Mental health and economic survival often feel like opposing forces in low-income communities. How do you navigate this tension, and how does storytelling serve as a form of release or resistance?
Latina Bohemian. I navigate through faith and perseverance in general. Now with tension, that’s an opposite response. It’s not very simple since there’s a lot of scrutiny in overcoming two of the greatest challenges in low-income communities no matter your background or nationality.
We all have one thing in common: survival. This is how I navigate, never putting my foot down because if I tell life that I will accept whatever injustice is sent, then I won’t welcome change. No, it’s not okay to struggle or see your loved one’s suffering. Change is survival.
With undergoing this courageous spirit, you release resistance and not allow defeat to object you, it will want to take your self-power away; never give it permission to.
Diamond Smith. You mentioned that your early motivation for education was financial stability, but now your goals have shifted toward purpose. What role does storytelling play in that shift— from survival to legacy?
Latina Bohemian. How storytelling plays a role in that shift is finding purpose. I found that connecting through stories makes the path a more grounded place.
Who doesn’t want to attain financial stability? I do, you do, a collective desire. Now how we view money, now that’s where the real problem is. I had the unhealthiest relationship with money, very scared, very fearful, but it came from a sensible nature.
I was once that little girl who saw fancy cars and big mansions on television. It was surreal to me then, now I’m that woman that seeks growth, internal wealth, and wisdom.
I am not killing my soul to obtain a nice lifestyle anymore, not at all
Diamond Smith. Do you see yourself as someone who is reclaiming educational space for future students? What do you hope your journey teaches others about second chances, doubt, and determination?
Latina Bohemian. Yes, I can see that since I am a minority and first-generation. The stakes are very high though, and you don’t want to disappoint anyone. Me being a non-traditional student can inspire someone to carve their own unique space and spread their own wings. Yes, you want to have a better life for yourself, family and open impossible doors for others; but let’s glamorize doing what’s best for you. You matter. Your self-care does.
I hope that people see second chances as a real possibility. I dropped out a few times, I went through a long hiatus for years, and doubt would lurk a lot. Financially as well, I’ve been unemployed a couple times and remember moments of not being able to find work. Not having enough money to cover the bills. I was frustrated, angry, and hurt because I worked hard and didn’t see my harvest bloom. Now, I am content and grateful for the shoes on my feet.
Become your own cheerleader during burdens. Though I fight with fearful thoughts sometimes, I stand up to it. I hope my imperfect path teaches others to be fearless.
Diamond Smith. In Bell Hooks’ Teaching to Transgress, she writes: “To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential...” Have you ever felt your “soul” was cared for in learning spaces? How do you now offer that soul-level care in your community work?
Latina Bohemian. This is a great question, never thought too profoundly on that. All I can say is this, I felt my soul wanted to explore a new level of thinking and expand current knowledge. Some people cared and some people opposed. That’s how soul-level care has been integrated in the community work I have been involved in. Being a human is challenging but what is life without challenges?
I offer my support from an intentional space where you as my collaborator don’t have to shrink your distinctiveness or hide true layers. Why compromise your identity? It’s irreplaceable, who can imitate? Duplication can’t measure.
Diamond Smith. What does community healing mean to you? And how do you imagine storytelling can be used not just to preserve memory—but to open new futures?
Latina Bohemian. Healing in the community is life changing. We are now in an era where mental health awareness is spreading, and people are paying more attention to. We have those in our lives going through it and how we can educate ourselves regarding it can make our relationships stronger.
Storytelling is the gateway towards a new future. It opens divergent elements where once found, it leads to new multiple channels never been approached.
“RISK-TAKING SHOULD NOT BE SILENT.”
Latina Bohemian