 Meet Angélica Blanco, founder and president of Imagen Marketing Consulting, a marketing and public relations company that specializes in working with the Hispanic community using a Radio Show as part of her agency’s strategies; inviting leaders to her show to inspire and educate Hispanics who are new to American culture. For many newcomers the new language, the change in culture, and many of the day-to-day events in Middle Tennessee are in sharp contrast to where they came from. Angélica estimates 80 percent of the people she works with have problems simply because they did not know the differences in the American government and legal system. From simple issues such as the police guidelines that request you to remain in your vehicle when pulled over in traffic (instead of getting out of the vehicle as many are used to), to heart-wrenching family problems that can involve working with government agencies, Angélica said she saw a real need to do something and help people learn how to live in their new environment. Angélica came to Middle Tennessee 8 years ago from Colombia, where she had a corporate job in a branch office of a large financial institution. The economic crisis of 1999 in Colombia forced a change in her life and she moved to Franklin, Tennessee to be with her mother. Suddenly she found herself having to learn a new language, experiencing the culture shock of moving from Colombia, as well as the entire American system. As she learned from these adjustments she saw the need to share what she had learned with others. A chance meeting with the owner of a radio station two years ago led to create her radio show Imagen Latina Activa on 1240 AM and Angélica found her radio program to be the perfect format to reach her Hispanic audience. She interviews Hispanic leaders and local service providers, with topics that include Rubén de Peña, Public Information & Community Relations with Metro Nashville Schools; Juán Borges, With the El Protector Program Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; Luz Belleza, With Metro Social Services; Elizabeth Berruecos-Riggs, with YW- Legal Outreach Services, YMCA’s Hispanic Achievers, immigration attorneys, and non-profit resources. Her passion to educate fellow Hispanics has led her agency to become a liaison between the needs of the Hispanic community and the radio station. For the business community she is working to promote Tennessee Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Future goals include a television program modeled after her radio show, as well as local Spanish newscast. With all her passion, Angélica says she owes everything to God who is the One opening doors of blessings for her. Her program Imagen Latina Activa airs on 1240 AM, Sundays from 6:00 to 7:00PM, and it is repeated the following Sunday from 11:00AM to 12:00 Noon. Written by Teresa Stevens, translated by Gloria Bishop
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