Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri.
What is your family heritage?
My family heritage is Mexican. I am first generation Mexican-American and I am proud to say I am the first person from my family to earn a college degree.
What is your occupation?
I own Denisse’s Notary and Services located in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri. I specialize in a variety of services such as, Paralegal Services in Civil, Criminal and Family cases, translations, accounting, taxes, business start-ups and I am a Notary Public in the state of Missouri and Kansas. I am also a co-founder of a non-profit youth organization, called Kansas City Outlawz along with my fiancé, Damian Law. He has supported me in getting connected with the community, he has also encouraged me to add more ways I can help the Hispanic community within my business.
How have you supported or contributed to the local Hispanic/Latinx community?
I support the Hispanic community by offering different types of assistance at my office or I go to the client's home or place of business. I use the legal knowledge I have obtained in college to guide my Hispanic community in the right direction. I motivate teenagers when their hopes are down and hard working men and woman to continue their education or to open up their own businesses. I share lucrative information that will assist them with their college applications, scholarships, small businesses, taxes and more, all for promising futures.
How do you connect with your Hispanic/Latinx culture?
I am 100% bilingual and most of my clients are Hispanic so I am able to connect with them on a personal and business level every day. Being able to talk and share many ideas with them and knowing at the end of the day, I got what they needed done, is priceless! The business was started to help the community. I wanted to offer a place where it felt safe to come in and ask questions about their everyday needs and wants. I am always here for every one that walks into my door!
What is your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory would be visiting my family in Mexico and connecting with my roots and culture.
What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?
The celebration means a lot to me! It allows me to recognize the positive achievements Hispanics have influenced on our history, culture and communities. Despite the many obstacles that young Latinos face, I am thankful I am able to be apart of the positive changes that we are accomplishing. I am very proud of my culture and I am glad we have a community that is too. We need to keep the tradition alive to educate our children of what it means to be apart of this great culture and community.
In your opinion, what is the most important issue facing the Hispanic/Latinx community?
We lack the resources needed to be proficient in our own community. We could utilize more avenues to help us succeed by providing more college advice in high schools, future planning, teaching legal rights and having more Hispanic leaders that will direct us in a proper direction of building our Hispanic communities and building generational wealth.
