Why AALI Was Created
Throughout life, we dream of new ambitions whether it be starting a creative agency or becoming the CEO of a Fortune 100 company. As everyone knows, you can create a game plan for how you want your life to go, but often enough, life happens. For whatever reason, we let go of our ideas, dreams, or goals, and we become complacent. You shy away from asking for the promotion that you know you deserve. You refrain from starting a business within an untouched field because no one within your industry has been able to succeed. People doubt your capabilities. You doubt your capabilities.
AALI was created to share the stories of individuals that took a chance on their dreams. These individuals wake up everyday and consistently choose to believe in themselves despite life…happening. At times, it takes one supporter, one listener, one mentor for individuals to feel confident within themselves. AALI’s mission is to empower, educate, and motivate individuals to dare to accomplish the impossible.
About The Team
Gabriella Velasquez is from Charleston, South Carolina. She is the daughter of immigrants who migrated to the United States in 1989. Velasquez attended the University of South Carolina to study Finance & Economics. While studying at UofSC, she was elected President of the Latin American Student Organization her third year. Through this experience, she identified her passion toward elevating the Latinx community.
Velasquez learned the valuable impact of interacting with admirable leaders whether it be over coffee or by passing. She finds these conversations to be eye-opening and oftentimes, the pivotal point in many aspiring innovator’s careers. These encounters can be enablers for dreams to become actions.
As she embarks on this journey of learning more from intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs, she is hoping others may benefit from these genuine, open conversations, as well.
Carina Victoria Perez Lopez grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. Her parents migrated from Mexico and Guatemala to the United States. Throughout her life, she has always had an entrepreneurial mindset with an overall goal to utilize her experiences to help others. Carina is currently working towards her Associate’s in Film Production at Trident Tech College. She is a passionate individual that desires to share her creativity with the world via Film.
Through this platform, Carina desires to sharpen her skills in hopes of joining a production company within the future. She will be leading the directing & editing of video / audio.
Yessenia Castellanos is a first generation college athlete at Montreat College. She is pursuing her career in graphic design and marketing. Yessenia is presently Montreat College’s international club president, participating in the Honors College program, and one of the first handful of students graduating Montreat College with a degree in Visual Communications and Experience Design. She has a passion for running, competing at the national level in both cross country and track and field at Montreat College.
Yessenia has a strong connection with her Latino community, as both her parents immigrated from Mexico and are supporting her goals and dreams through their sacrifice and hard work. She is grateful for the love that her community has given her, and wants to give that love back through her passions.
Betsy Morales grew up in Charleston, SC. Her family migrated from San Luis Potosí when she was three years old. She graduated R.B. Stall High School in 2020. Betsy has a strong desire to advocate for the needs of the younger Latino community.