Name: Raydhiri Hidalgo
Born: New York, NY
Lives: New York, NY
Handle: @dhiri
As a young girl growing up in the Bronx I always felt represented in the media, education, food and culture of my neighborhood. It wasnโt until college that I felt I was different from the rest of the population.
I felt a culture shock with a change in demographics when I moved to Fairfield for college. I was now a first-generation ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐๐๐ง ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ง studying at a school in one of the richest counties of Connecticut.
There were these differences about me that I didnโt know existed until I was faced with a different environment โขmy kinky hair โขmy upbringing (my parents are immigrants from the Dominican Republic) โขSpanish is my first language. I learned English by watching Sesame Street and Barney โขmy economic status
I wanted to leave my neighborhood for something different not realizing that I couldโve gotten a similar education at a more affordable state school. I didnโt have the guidance on making those financial decisions at 18 years old.
I grew up in public housing and received food stamps as a kid to be able to keep my mom afloat when my parents were separated. Those 4 years of college were the best and sometimes the worst years of my life. I had experiences that I will never forget. Iโve made lifelong friends, learned that I can be me even when thatโs totally different than everyone else, and I had the opportunity to study in Spain for 2 summer months.
Eleven years after graduating from college I finally feel that I have found my purpose with my differences. Iโm an ๐จ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฒ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ at a skilled nursing facility where I bring representation for women of color in a healthcare setting.
I am a leader, advocate, educator, listener, helper and student so that I can be the best healthcare provider for a community of color.
Iโve learned that peopleโs negative stereotypes of you sometimes cannot be changed, and thatโs okay. I will continue to serve my community with the knowledge and skills that I learned through adversity
