Astrid was born in Puerto Rico into a family that supported her every endeavor from an early age. As a communicator, she credits her family’s support for her adult confidence. Astrid is now a correspondent and anchor on Univision, and she’s taken the platform this has given her to continue elevating and diving deeper into issues on her social channels. You can follow her at @astridriveratv
There are many ways to be Latina; what is your favorite part of our culture or your favorite way to embrace it?
Hablar Español. I think language is part of our larger identity. It gives us power. At home with my kids I have stressed we speak Spanish, no matter what’s happening around us, we speak Spanish to one another. I also think that we as a community are sending a message when we choose to speak Spanish that we don’t need to speak perfect English and that speaking English isn’t the only way to be successful in different industries. Look at Bad Bunny, Sofia Vergara, and Messi, just to name a few. We as Latinos can be in our living room watching a major show on American television and hear them speaking Spanish. They’re speaking to us, and I think that’s powerful.
You have many talents; what superpower has helped you get to where you are?
On a personal level, soy muy chismosa. I don’t take what I’m told at face value. I like to do my research, and I’m known for my ability to find information. When my friends want to learn something, they send it to me, and in 5 minutes, I get the answer. My boss does the same when she wants to do in-depth research. It comes naturally to me. I remember being 8 or 9 years old and ruining my own Christmas surprises. I was so good at figuring out what the gifts were and where they were hidden. I’ve been ruining surprises ever since. On a professional level, I’m a bit of a mediator. I have this ability to help solve conflicts. It’s exhausting, but I’m very good at it.
Astrid, tell us about growing up.
I grew up in Hoya Grande, in the small town of Hormiguero on the West Side of Puerto Rico. Yo tuve una infancia bien bonita. If you ask me, I don’t know, or I didn’t notice if we lacked material things. I’m a privileged woman in that my mom and dad always pushed me to study and to better myself, and they supported me in the journey. Everything I signed up for, desde el baile de cucaracha hasta concursos de belleza- my mom, my dad, my tia, abuela, everyone was there to support me. I felt validated and loved, and I think it has a lot to do with my ability to communicate confidently now. It’s also shaped how I parent. I have made a conscious decision to be a present parent for my kids.
You work for one of the main news networks in this country, and you have also chosen to explain certain issues and events further through your social platforms. You’re a busy woman; why do that?
I always wanted to be a communicator, and I always wanted to work in TV but even before I worked at Univision, I had a digital platform. I’ve always believed that we as communicators should look to further how we connect with audiences beyond a single platform. Social media was a bit of a no-brainer for me- it already exists and is a powerful tool. There are also conversations you can’t always have on TV, for many reasons. People may not sit to watch TV like they used to, or time is limited on any given show. I also realize that people feel a particular connection to us. La gente siente que yo estoy en la sala de su casa. I want to use that to elevate conversations beyond what’s been covered on the air. I wish more of my fellow communicators did that, I feel there’s no excuse not to do it. No hay excusa.
You have an undeniable connection with the Latino community. How do you see us at this moment? We are speaking a few months before a Presidential election. Do you see us united or divided? How do you see us?
En un sancocho hay de todo- that’s how I see the Latino community right now. We have come a long way, but there’s always room to improve and do things differently. I feel that so many people with the voice and power to communicate and support good causes are not engaging right now. I think it’s always the same people giving back to the community, while others ignore certain struggles because they’re well. I also understand that when you come here with nothing, it takes time and work to build something. In building, it’s easy to become individualistic and forget that we are a collective. To be clear- there’s nothing wrong with building for yourself, but look to the side a little in the process. I wish things were different, but there’s still a lot of work to do. We need more representation in Washington, Hollywood, and English-speaking news media.
Who is someone else we should feature on Informada?
Nora Sandingo here in Miami. She started a foundation that has been providing legal guardianship for American children of immigrants when parents are deported for years now. She has hundreds of children under her guardianship through her foundation.