Author: Renée Rodríguez
Image: Salvador Cid

Rhonda Gutierrez is the kind of person that lights up a room when she walks in.  She is friendly, caring and full of life.  It is no wonder Rhonda has so many readers that follow her articles religiously in Mi Estilo and her personal blog, Mi Vida Loca.  She began writing for Mi Estilo from the very beginning (2009).

Rhonda grew up in Southwest Detroit in a very loving family.  She comes from a mixed background that includes Mexican, Italian, Native American, English and Irish.  While growing up, Rhonda says, “The white kids considered me Hispanic.  The Hispanic kids considered me white and the black kids didn’t consider me at all.”

Although she was proud of her Hispanic heritage, Rhonda had many days where she asked herself why she couldn’t “be one thing.”  Now that she is older, Rhonda has learned to appreciate where she has come from and considers herself to have the best of all worlds.

She is very proud of her Southwest Detroit background and is a Chadsey High School graduate.  Rhonda began reading at a young age and always kept a journal.  Writing has always been very therapeutic for her.  Being the oldest of five children, Rhonda’s family used to poke fun at her because, when in arguments with her siblings, she would always write them a letter to express how she felt.  Rhonda found it easier to write her feelings down rather than voice them.  It should come as no surprise that her favorite subject in school was always English.

With the encouragement of others and her love for writing, Rhonda decided to begin a blog. This is when she really started diving into the world of writing and getting more serious about it.  Shortly after Rhonda began her blog, she discovered Mi Estilo and was asked to join the team.

She gets inspiration for her stories from daily life experiences.  Rhonda’s writing style makes it easy for the reader to relate to the story.  When asked what her main goal with writing was Rhonda said, “I want to be a voice for people who don’t have one.  It is an opportunity for me to bring awareness to the various problems and issues that face our community.  It gives me the ability to speak up for our culture and area.”

Some of Rhonda’s favorite pieces include: Don’t Talk About My Curves, You Can’t Take Them With You and Are Funerals Really Necessary? She says they are some of her favorites because they speak to so many people and deal with issues that are culturally important to the community.  They also spark important conversations within families and circles of friends.  Many of Rhonda’s articles bring up topics that are often too taboo to discuss.

Besides writing, she enjoys spending time with her kids and family, cooking, traveling, studying nutrition and holistic remedies, and can always be found reading a book.  Ten years from now, Rhonda would like to be found still writing and donating most of her time to working with troubled youth and women in the community.

She is a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and, now, has the title of writer as well.

Often times, Rhonda likes to leave her articles with a quote, so I will leave you with one of her favorites. “Others will treat you as you allow yourself to be treated.”  Words of wisdom that were drilled into her head by her mom.

To keep up with Rhonda, you can follow her articles at Mi Estilo Magazine and her blog Mi Vida Loca.

When I first met the 20 year old, Cespedes, I encountered a slender, very unassuming young man whose eyes shown with hope that have not yet become jaded. As I interviewed him, I came away learning that he exemplifies the African saying made famous by President Theodore Roosevelt, Speak softly, but carry a big stick.

Cespedes has been involved with Covenant House for the past two and a half years. Throughout his time there, one of the biggest things that he has worked toward is getting a high school diploma. Covenant House-Michigan is one of the few places that can offer this and not a GED.

Since I came to Covenant House, it has given me an opportunity to get my high school diploma so that I can go to college.  They also told me about scholarships, Cespedes said, as he smiled one of many times that he did, during the interview.

Besides his trademark smile, one of the other things that I picked up on was his remarkable sense of self-belief. Despite encountering teachers doubting him and losing a well-paying job at 17 years old, Cespedes never stopped believing in himself perhaps the thing that has carried him through.

I could have given up.  I don’t know where I’d be if I’d given up. My momma taught me that if you don’t believe in yourself, then who will?

He continued,  It was sad because the teachers didn’t know me. One of the teachers told me that I’d never make it to University of Michigan. She told me to be realistic and maybe go for a community college. I thought to myself, ‘Just watch, lady. Watch me prove myself.

While Cespedes’ hard academic work and good ACT scores prepared him, what ultimately helped him get his foot in the door with the University of Michigan-Dearborn was when the principal at Covenant House contacted a friend working at the UM-Dearborn admissions office. The result was Cespedes being awarded the University of Michigan-Dearborn Opportunity Scholarship that gives him a full ride for his dual major: pre-med and video game design.

“When I started the paperwork, I didn’t exactly know what scholarship I would get. I knew that I would get one though. It’s taken a lot of work, so I thought that I deserved one, he said.

In addition to Cespedes, I also was able to speak with one of his instructors, Timothy Moore, and outreach worker, Mary Grace Torres-Viramontez.  Both were able to shine some additional light, especially when it came to him shunning excessive public attention.

“José doesn’t like to hear it but I tell him that he’s a natural leader, said Moore.

He also shared a brief anecdote to further show Cespedes’ natural leadership qualities. We had just started a program at Covenant House in Southwest [Detroit]. He stayed behind to help some of his classmates.

Cespedes’ concern for others is something that came up repeatedly during the interview. He admitted that he almost missed the bus because he was escorting a female friend to the bus something that he has adopted as a duty. Moore was also able to explain this further.

“He has true manhood qualities. There’s a young lady that gets off the bus. He will stay behind and make sure that she doesn’t take the bus by herself. He believes in looking out for the other sex.

Gentleman, “doctor by day, video game designer by night,” survivor: these are all labels that could be used to describe José Cespedes. However, the ultimate label that would be best is one that he has yet created. I suspect that, before he completes his journey, he will pick up a few more. Some of the best words to summarize his story came from Cespedes, himself.

“I like helping people. This is why I’m doing the interview. I don’t like the attention. If they see that I can do it, then they’ll see that they can do it. I’d be helping them.

Covenant House-Michigan has the “last-chance” charter schools and are the only ones targeted to homeless and at-risk youth in Michigan and one of only a few in the nation that is operated through a homeless shelter.

The schools operate year-round and are tuition-free to students ages 16-22 who are able to earn a high school diploma, not a GED. For more information, go to http://www.covenanthousemi.org/.

Author: José A. Rodrí­guez
Graphics: Jerusalem Rivera

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with David to talk about where he has been, where he is now and where he is headed.

David was born in the Andean jungle of Peru.  As an infant, he was bitten by a sandfly and contracted a disease: leishmaniasis, which caused the destruction of David’s face when he was only a few months old.  A world renowned Scottish cranio-facial surgeon, Dr. Ian Jackson, came across David, during a visit to Peru.  He was asked to help this small boy and could not say no.  With the help of many people and several organizations, Dr. Jackson had David flown into Scotland, where he began the first of many surgeries.  To this day, David has had over 100 surgeries.

During his time in Scotland, David stayed with Dr. Jackson and his family, who later adopted him.  He moved to the United States, after his father took a job opportunity here. David started off in Minnesota and, eventually, ended up in Michigan.

It was in Detroit that David began to develop a passion for Latin music and his Latino background, after getting into art and meeting a friend at college.  He dabbled in salsa dancing in Detroit, but didn’t really start to develop, until he moved to Los Angeles.  David began to make his way into the Latin dance scene by picking up moves and learning new styles by watching other dancers. Anybody who knows David knows how much he loves Latin dancing, especially salsa.

David says,  “Dancing provides a way to express myself and create art on the dance floor.  It allows me to just be me.”

It was in L.A., where his friends began to call him Kat because his hairstyle was reminiscent of Lion-O from ThunderCats.

“The name suits me because I have almost died five times.  Just like cats have nine lives, maybe I do too,” he said with a deep chuckle.

After living in L.A. for five years, David returned to Detroit and its salsa scene.  Most recently, his peers have recognized his dancing by nominating him for the first ever Detroit Salsa Awards, as “Best Male Social Dancer.”

On hearing about this, he said, “I feel humble and grateful.  I just love dancing.  I don’t mind, if you are a beginner or expert, as long as you can smile and have fun with me.”

The awards will be March 5, 2011.  For more information, you can visit: http://www.detroitsalsaawards.com/.

Dancing is just one art form that David is passionate about.  He also draws, paints, mixes music and does graphic design.  Many don’t know that David holds a Fine Arts degree from the College for Creative Studies and is an amazing painter.  I am lucky enough to have seen several of his paintings.  If you thought he was good at dancing, wait until you see his paintings.  David’s paintings use a lot of texture, color and energy.

“I use texture because I am textured and I want to show this in my pieces.”

David’s paintings draw you in and some take you on a journey through many of his life experiences.  He has recently been working on some new drawings and paintings and hopes to do an art exhibition within the next year or so.

In the next five years, David hopes to be either engaged or married and to be known for his art.  In addition, he would like to become a motivational speaker and continue to inspire people that he encounters.  David dreams of one day owning a chain of salsa clubs, being on Dancing With The Stars and writing an autobiography.

People who know him understand that he finds the beauty in everything.  Whether it be experiences or people, he always seems to find the positive.  This is perhaps why he is such a great artist and able to connect so well with people.  When I commented on this, he let out his contagious laugh and said,  “I don’t try to be anything but me.  Once people get past wondering what happened to me, they see I am just me.”

David is truly an inspiration.  He is a man who has experienced more than most people. Those who know his story might think that he is lucky to be where he is.  I, on the other hand, think that anybody fortunate enough to meet him is the lucky one.

To find out more about David and his upcoming projects, you can join his Facebook fan page David L. Jackson-Public Figure.  His goal is to reach over 1,000,000 fans worldwide.

Author: Renée Rodrí­guez
Photos: Nibras Abboud • http://www.flickr.com/photos/irocky/sets/

Dancer in the photograph (small): Erika

Dancer in the photograph (large): Rubi

With immigration issues making headlines, it’s easy to forget about the immigrants that have played an important role in our country’s history and the important role that they still play.  When Neary realized his dream of becoming an American citizen, he wanted something special to commemorate the moment.  Unable to find a patriotic gift to his liking, he created one from scratch.  From a simple concept, a fledgling enterprise was born.

Neary designed a ring and pendant with six simple icons that represent the concluding sentence of the Pledge of Allegiance.

• A single star represents “one nation”
• A cross represents the phrase “under God”
• A heart for “indivisible”
• A torch for “liberty”
• Scales for “justice”
• An equal sign “for all”

He wears the first pledge ring every day, as a reminder of how fortunate he is to call America home.

Neary’s relatives in Ireland are in the jewelry trade.  His cousin, Ciaran Breen, custom crafted the first pledge ring in Dublin.  Its interesting design invites curious questions, which, when explained, usually invokes an enthusiastic response.  The positive reaction inspired him to seek out an American craftsman to help produce copies of his original creation to represent patriotic Americans and, ultimately, to creating American jobs.

Stephen Walker of Walker Metalsmiths was chosen and now produces the Pledge Ring, as well as a similarly themed pendant in silver and gold.  A military style dog tag was recently added to their collection.  As Neary and Walker work to spread the word about their jewelry, they are discovering that many Americans love The Pledge of Allegiance just as much today as when it was first recited.

With even more product designs in the works, Neary and Walker hope to take this seemingly simple concept to the next level by offering Americans a modern alternative to the patriotic jewelry that is available everywhere.  The designs are not without controversy, as media outlets continue to discuss the constitutionality of “under God“ in The Pledge of Allegiance.  Determined to celebrate the pledge as it reads today, Neary and Walker plan to maintain a religious symbol to represent “under God.” However, in the future, they expect to introduce additional jewelry designs with a symbols to represent Judaism and other religions.

Their designs, products and inspiring story can be seen at http://www.shop.pledgering.com/.  They are also inviting fans on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PledgeRing.  With their original and modern designs, it’s one way a new generation of Americans might consider taking the pledge with pride.

The Horizon Awards recognize the region’s young, experienced professionals for their accomplishments and contributions in their field and community.  Mi Estilo is proud to have José honored for all he has done and accomplished in our community, especially for young Latino professionals.

This awards show is put on by the Detroit Regional Chamber’s young professional group, Fusion.  The Horizon Awards will be held Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 6:00 pm at the Uptown Palladium in downtown Birmingham.

Fusion was launched, in 2007, and has quickly become one of the most influential young professional organizations in the state.  The organization has become a catalyst for change in the region that provides opportunities for young professionals to network with experienced community business leaders.

Fusion focuses on the following:

• Advocacy
• Connecting young professionals
• Retention and attraction of talent to the region
• Personal and professional growth

For more information on the Horizon Awards and Fusion, visit their website at: http://www.fusiondetroit.org.

Author: Gabriella Muñoz

Before I met Maria Elena Rodríguez, I was already familiar with the feeling that she gives people.  This Renaissance woman works hard for her community and inspires everybody with whom she makes contact.  Rodríguez has devoted much of her efforts to the progression of Mexicantown and the Hispanic community as a whole.

Her intense passion for her culture and community bloomed at the age of eight when she went to stay with family in Mexico.

I love Mexico.  I love everything about it.  Everything was so special that it has always stayed with me.  So, no matter what I do there is always that thread that runs through everything I do,” said Rodríguez.

One of her current projects that is getting a lot of buzz is Mexicantown Casting.  Rodríguez loved working in film and television, but always wanted to get things done her way and so Mexicantown Casting was born.  She wants to help the talented Latinos that are so abundant in this community get exposure.

“I have this experience,” she explained.  “I have my connections.  I wanted to put Mexicantown on the map in a positive way for the general public.  Sometimes, I was criticized and people would say, ‘Well, this is ours.   Yes, but the only way we’re going to have any understanding-any relationships with any other groups is by opening our doors.”

Rodríguez is realistic about the small demand right now for Mexican actors, but hopes that will change.  People of all age groups and with all sorts of “looks” are welcome.

“The point is, at least, they know.  We are Hispanic and we come in every shade.  When they need us, we’re here,” she said

One success story of Rodríguez’ talent management is her own son, Carlos Guadarrama, a the rapper and actor known professionally as Sol.  Rodríguez is his manager and was able to land him a spot in the Clint Eastwood film Gran Torino. He just began a national tour opening for rap group, Insane Clown Posse, through the fall.

Through all the good she does, sometimes things just don’t work out.  One of the hardest things for Rodríguez so far was the painful ending for both her and her staff of The Mexicantown International Welcome Center and The Mexicantown Mercado.  Due to nothing more than miscommunication and misunderstandings, The Mercado didn’t turn out the way it should have.  Rodríguez knows the project’s importance and still holds out hope for it.

“I hope it stays with the community.  I hope it doesn’t get sold off to someone who has no interest in our vision.  I hope it falls into the right hands.”

Rodríguez still works hard for the community.  She currently sits on the boards of Cristo Rey High School, the Michigan Commission on Spanish Speaking Affairs and The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy.

“I sit on all of these boards not for the recognition or prestige, but because I feel that I am an agent of change,” she told me.  “This is a way of changing things—others’ perceptions of us, showing them that we’re present here in Detroit.  That’s the reason I do it.”

Rodríguez is currently writing a book about the history and development of Mexicantown and its people.  People assume, with all the media coverage today that we’ve just arrived and that we’re all illegal.  I want people to see who we were.  These are the things that people need to know.  The book is tentatively scheduled for next year.

Rodríguez has a real vision for the future of the community.  “I want people to see us as a can-do community and that we are here to stay.  I want the general public to understand we are as much a part of a solution to the economy—maybe more so than anyone can imagine.”

Her hopes don’t just stop at this community.  Rodríguez wants more for the Latino community.

“We want to have the same respect as any other person that comes to this country.  Coming across the Rio Grande to this country is not less compelling than coming through Ellis Island.  People have to let that political stuff go and understand that we’re no different.  It’s not going to happen overnight, but I have hope.  If you don’t know your culture, find out about it.”

Author: Crissy Zamarron
Photo: Courtesy of Maria Elena Rodríguez

Originally published 10/24/09

Update [12/22/11]: Maria Elena Rodríguez has recently published a book, Detroit’s Mexicantown-part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series.

It is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Arcadia Publishing.

The thing that first struck me most about MOCAD was its openness.  Its white interior displayed all sorts of pieces that drew my eyes.  I wasn’t sure what I was looking at, yet I couldn’t look away.  This isn’t the type of cliche stuff that you might think of—items that are viewed by people dressed all in black and speak in faux, pretentious French accents. These were pieces that I felt I could “get,” even though I’ve only had one art history class.  As it turned out, Croquer was just as accessible as the art that was featured.

“I, often, think that, when people step into a contemporary art museum or into a new expression of some discipline, they might be confounded because they’re encountering something that isn’t part of what they know.  I think that it is our obligation to create that bridge to see if they really like it or not, when presented with the information,” he said in his calm, quiet voice.

I think that the idea of it being okay not to completely get a piece will be something strange when people come to MOCAD.  In your traditional museum, as the Detroit Institute of Arts, there are a lot of pieces that are pretty easy to get.  If you’re some sort of art aficionado, you might even know what time period and style that it fits in, as well as the artist’s technique(s).  If you’re an average layman, you either like it or don’t.  At MOCAD, the interaction between artist and viewer is a more subjective one.

“I think that it’s part of the problem of how people have been introduced to art,” he explained.  “Modernism, in general, has always been very linear. If you looked at something, you had to understand it. It comes from the school system—people feel like they have to understand what people are saying to them.  Even contextual art is about feelings and emotions.  It’s experiential, personal and unique.”

He went on further, “In a traditional art museum, you have pieces that have already been contextualized over time and been studied by art historians and curators.  In a contemporary art museum, most of the artists that you’d deal with are working through their art to find a voice.”

What an interesting question: do I have to get this piece? As Croquer said, all too often, viewers feel obligated to get a piece.  With contemporary art, the viewer might not have the necessary references to get the piece, but the journey can be possible if the viewer is empowered, as was my situation with the pieces that I saw.  I know what the artist was trying to do and I’m still trying to figure them out, which is okay.

MOCAD, Detroit’s hidden artistic gem, started as an idea about ten years ago.  However, it was only until about three years ago that it opened.  The final, missing piece was finding a director, which is what brought Luis Croquer from his long journey to Detroit.

“I was working in New York,” he told me.  “The museum was conducting an international search for, I think, four months before I joined it.  A friend of mine knew about the search and told me about it.  They invited me and I joined it.  Then, it took about seven or eight months before I was told that I was appointed.  Before that, I had three or four chances to come and speak to the board to find out if it would have been a right fit.  It was very exciting to move here.”

As a Salvadorean diplomat’s son, Croquer was exposed to many different settings—both geographically and culturally.  During the interview, I asked him if his childhood prepared him for his career as a curator/director and about the similarities between running a museum and diplomacy.

“In different countries, there would be different ethnic groups,” he told me.  “I learned very quickly that people are pretty much the same.”

His moment of realization about the connection with diplomacy and his career came to him, during a moment a few years back at an opening that Croquer was working on.

“I didn’t like diplomacy much, when I was growing up.  At one point, my father said that I should consider being a diplomat.  He said that I had the training and that with school that I would be fine.  Like a lot of Latinos, my father didn’t think that art was a career.  About five years ago, I was at an opening working and suddenly I realized, ‘Oh, my God.  This is the same job,’” he said with a little chuckle.

Merriam-Webster online defines diplomacy as “skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility.”  This is precisely what Luis Croquer and MOCAD are doing with the public that comes out to view their exhibits that feature some of the world’s best contemporary art. Displaying art is a proposal that the artist makes with the public.  The question, though simple, asks a profound question: “Why should you view my piece of art?” It, then, falls on the artist to provide an answer.  At the very best, not only will the viewer like it but maybe even get it.  At the very worst, the viewer might not get it or like it, but, at least, appreciate it.

If you’re looking for a great experience that is affordable, then check out MOCAD.  It’s located at 4454 Woodward Ave within Detroit’s Cultural Center.  In addition to featuring compelling visual art, it also presents music, movies and other artistic media.  The graffiti, commissioned by a graffiti artist, covering its grey exterior, just like the pieces inside, questions the viewer and invites them to investigate further.  Do yourself a favor and investigate MOCAD.

Author: José A. Rodríguez
Photo: Renée Gonyeau

Sol’s exposure to hip-hop began at an early age.  His uncle was in a breakdancing crew and helped to provide him some of his initial exposure.  Hip-hop wasn’t just what he listened to, but, what he also lived.  It was his chance performance, as a 7^th grader at a high school dance, that helped to set his path.

“I went on stage at a high school dance.  One of my boys was beatboxing and I was freestyling,” he calmly recalled.  A gently proud look came across his face as he continued. “I’ve been a fan of rap music, since I was five or six years old. Back then, there wasn’t a label on it.  It was a way of life. It was a movement.”

Though bitten by the performing bug, Sol still wasn’t yet a performer.  His next step was to DJ.  Unlike those whose intention is to build a reputation in the party scene, Sol started off in a more low-key way.  He started in the privacy of his room—consisting mostly of making mixtapes for friends.  From the beginning, Sol’s mom was key in helping him get his start.

“I got into DJing for a minute.  This was back in the days of vinyl.  I went to New York with my ma.  Our sole purpose was to buy a turntable and mixer.  We made a vacation out of it,” he said with a smile that subtly crept across his face.  “Wherever I saw vinyl, I would pick it up.  I didn’t do parties or anything—strictly me in my bedroom making mixtapes for people.  From here, it progressed into rhyming.”

During his evolution from DJ to lyricist, Sol also made the leap from the West Coast gangsta rap that he grew up with.  This leap was a revelation that opened up his eyes to the range of themes that he could write about.

“I listened to a lot of West Coast growing up.  But the first CD that I listened to that’s a classic was Nas’ Illmatic.  Listen to it and you’ll get the origins of hip-hop.  My boy brought it to me and said, ‘Listen to it.  Listen to what he has to say.”

Sol’s voice slow grew passionate, as he told the story.  “When I listened to Nas’ lyrics, it opened up my eyes.  It opened a door to me.  It wasn’t all about gangbanging and shooting guns.  It turned me into a lyricist.”

In his songs, he writes about many things. Most of Sol’s themes draw from some part of real life.  They range from partying all the way up to the deepest questions that we all think about.  The notable thing is that one of the biggest sources of inspiration is books.  No matter what he writes about, he then performs it with at least as much conviction. With artists, there is no middle ground. It is what separates an artist from someone that’s playing.

“They [books] give me a lot to rap about.  They give me the insight—spirituality and the human mind.  I have songs about death, songs about the afterlife.  A lot of artists might only do songs about one thing.  I can’t do that.  I write about the life that I was living at the time.  It’s what’s going on.  Artists are passionate about anything that they do.  If you love a girl, you love a girl.”

One of the things that I had to ask him about was about his recent role in Gran Torino, which was one of the few speaking roles for Latinos.  Sol also had a small role in the Hillary Swank movie, Betty Anne Waters that was filmed here in Detroit. The story behind getting the role in Gran Torino shows that very often in life, it’s who you know that will provide you with those opportunities that will help you get ahead.

“I know this guy named White Boy that’s been Eminem’s assistant for like eight years.  We [White Boy] hadn’t talked in awhile.  All of a sudden, I got a phone call out of the blue. This lady called looking for Latinos for a movie role.”

“I thought that they were looking for extras.  She sent an email first.  The problem is that when they called, the part was already cast.  I told her, ‘Give me a chance.  I won’t disappoint.’  She asked, “How old are you? I told her 25.  She said, ‘No.  This role is for an 18 year old.’” If you were to look at him, you would think that Sol is a few years younger than his 25 years.

“I felt that I could do the role.  She told me, ‘Okay, come on Monday.  If we don’t find somebody, we’ll go to LA and we don’t want to do that.  I practiced all weekend and I killed it! I improvised a bit.  She called and said that I had the part.  She said that Clint Eastwood picked me out of about 150 people.  There were some prominent Latinos that went up for the part.  You’d know who they are.”  Unfortunately, he wouldn’t budge and provide details.

As you can imagine, one of the best parts about working on the movie was working with Clint Eastwood.  Sol was fortunate enough to share some screen time with him.  During the interview, he had nothing but the highest compliments toward Eastwood.

“I met Clint Eastwood.  He was a cool guy, real laid back.  Not like those Hollywood types. He came up to me and gave me some acting tips,” Sol said with a nostalgic chuckle.  “He asked me, ‘Give me some of that chinga tu madre shit.’  I told him, ‘I think that I can do that.”

During his 25 years, both he and Southwest Detroit have experienced a lot of change.  In a way, both are inextricably connected.  This was something that Sol recalled their past while looking forward to the future.

“It’s improved a lot.  People wouldn’t come down here.  We have suburbanites coming. We’ve invested our money into ourselves,” he said, explaining how things used to be.  “I feel that right now I’m where I should be.  I’m not going to be a doctor or a lawyer.  I rap and I act.  God gives you tools and you have to use them.”

Confidence, a sense of direction and drive seem to spur Sol on in all of his different pursuits.  If his songs like “Lost” and “How We Roll” featuring Trick Trick, or his role in Gran Torino are any indication of the future, then his is bright indeed.  Sol shines like a diamond in the rough and is poised for his big breakthrough whether in music or in acting. I’ll leave the last words for Sol.

“Everyday, I feel that there aren’t enough hours.  I feel that you get what you put into it. It’s who you know that’ll get you there.  It’s what you know that will keep you there.“

Click on the links below to hear some of Sol’s favorite hits

Make sure to view his MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/carlosguadarrama.

Author: José A. Rodrí­guez
Photo: Renée Gonyeau
Gran Torino photo: Carlos “Sol” Guadarrama

He has been doing comedy for the last 14 years and has appeared in places as diverse as Iraq, Japan and in Europe.  Frank has also been on Showtime At The Apollo.  He is also an actor.  Oddly enough, it was around the time that Frank started studying theater that he became a comedian.

“I studied theater in college.  I was going to get into acting.  I was always cracking my friends up and they were like, ‘You need to try comedy.’  You find out making your friends laugh is different than stepping up on stage and making a crowd laugh.  I bombed hard.  I don’t think that I had three minutes worth of material.  If you have your worst night and come back, it’s when you know you have it,” said Frank.

The whole sense of “craft” and constant improvement  is something that permeates everything that he does.  Hard work and persistence are inseparable.  Never one to rest on his laurels, Frank admits that there is still plenty of room to keep developing further as an artist.

“Stand up is the hardest art form because you have to make someone laugh. If somebody doesn’t like a song, they won’t boo but still move to the music.  Comedians need to have something that everybody can relate to.  As a comic, you need something for everybody. We say that we’re the same but we’re different.  Different people relate to different things,” he expressed.

One of the most important challenges is for his material to have broad appeal.  Rather than appealing just to African-Americans or Latinos, his themes appeal to everybody and deal with everyday experiences.  On occasion, Frank’s jokes do involve “insider information,” where certain cultural knowledge is useful to completely understand the joke.  Nonetheless, his jokes are not pidgeon-holed.

“Here’s the thing.  I can play any kind of audience.  You need them all to be a true artist.” He also added, “Every Mexican family has a guacamole bowl.  Puerto Ricans don’t eat tortillas.  People who don’t know the culture might laugh, but they won’t get it because they can’t relate and know what’s going on.”

When looking at Frank, some people think that he’s African-American, while others aren’t so sure.  While other multi-racial individuals might acknowledge just one side, Frank acknowledges both of his.  Growing up in Southwest Detroit, he lived in an relatively integrated neighborhood, where various ethnicities were represented.  The concept of “color” wasn’t really something registered on his radar.

“My mom’s Mexican and my dad’s black, so to say that I’m black is to deny my mom,” he commented.  “I grew up in a Hispanic neighborhood.  My friends—we had everything in the neighborhood.  When you’re poor, people don’t look at color.  Everybody’s in the same situation.”

As a comedian and as an actor, Frank is an artist that shatters labels.  Not being stuck in one pursuit, pursuing many provides many paths toward artistic self-expression.  In addition, he recognizes that as far as he has come, he still has further to go and room to improve.  Frank still has one ambition that he has yet to realize.

“My thing is to be on a soap opera.  I really want to be on General Hospital, but I’ll take All My Children or One Life to Live.”

Author: Jose A. Rodriguez