Speaker 1: Hello.

I'm Jenna Saucedo and welcome to Salude.

Today.

We have a chance to hear from three incredible San Antonio Latino leaders that are making their mark all across our local map.

We heard from a media icon whose career took her from local San Antonio to the white house from a higher education leader.

Who's working to build and grow our largest university in San Antonio.

And from a local hairstylist, who's running a successful small business in her own, right.

Let's lean in and hear more from them.

Now For media icons.

Few had the staying power and heritage of one Keitha column.

Most San Antonians know her from her time broadcasting on Ken's TV here locally, but she's been on many national outlets like CNN, Fox news, MSNBC, and so many others.

She's also worked for three presidents in her role as governor for the broadcasting board of governors, and was recently elected into the Texas radio hall of fame.

While on, keep that welcome to Speaker 2: Salute salute.

Thank you for having so Speaker 1: When you started in your role in broadcasting, I'm assuming you were one of the only Latinas and females.

How was that for you?

Speaker 2: Well, first of all, don't you want to know my very first station?

I do.

What was it?

Kayla ran Keller and Taylor in many years ago.

I was at university of Texas.

I was a studio artist and yes, it was wonderful in Austin because it was an artist's book loop transitioning and to broadcasting via being a copywriter.

And then going out of the air, uh, there were like, you could hear the women in there is like echo at board who there's, nobody that was really out here, but I was a lot younger, you know, I was getting started cause I left school early.

And uh, my first job on the air was actually at kite radio where your boss, Arthur Emerson, Arthur, ours, or Emerson was at kite radio.

And I was there as to work with a guy by the name of Tommy on the show that was known as the Tom and Tony show.

They didn't let me go by my real name now.

I don't know.

I guess that they thought maybe it was T and T and it would sound better, but you know, I figured San Antonio was a name of like Blanquita.

I mean, was it name Walsh?

I would appease everybody in the audience had a stick in that day, but it was, um, it was taught me a lot of lessons and I learned things about not letting things bother you when you think the chips are down.

Because I was one of those women that unfortunately, uh, you know, I was married and I got fired when I was pregnant.

Now the funny thing is, and I'll tell you the story, because it was a great lesson.

He said, listen to the boss said, you know, you're just probably going to get fat.

You'll wear a lot of makeup.

You might work at justice.

And I learned a lesson that if you lose it and if you lose your cool, you lose the battle.

So I went on to do a great, a little bit of publicity for United way.

Talking about my prenatal care.

I met a very wonderful woman who I became friends with.

She ended up working for Ken's TV later was a program director and offered me a job.

She said to me, do you want to go by Tony?

Or do you want to go by your real name?

I said, yeah, I'd like to go by Blanquita.

She said, listen, I want you to cover an event.

Now it's really glamorous.

Okay.

You got to really get dolled up and go over there.

It's on the south side.

And so I get over there a little late at night and I noticed, guess what?

My car is out of gas.

Well, as I look in the window, my mirror in my car, who is the person that is pumping the gas and having to help me at the gas station, the guy who fired.

So what I tell women, especially those of us that are starting life.

There were very few women, very few Latinas.

There were doing crossover broadcasting.

Don't take things so hard that you can't see that every obstacle was in it somewhere.

There's an option Speaker 1: Very well said.

And, and you were a fabulous storyteller.

So what was one of, you mentioned being fired by while being pregnant.

What was one of your biggest challenges that you've had to overcome?

I'm sure you've had several.

And how did you navigate through?

Speaker 2: Well, there are different kinds.

For example, I think the great thing about starting my career in San Antonio was very community oriented.

So working in radio, when I started back in the seventies and eighties, you know, you got to know the city council, chief of police, the mayor, you know, I did crime stop reef and did all that stuff.

So you become really understanding every kind of thing that you can imagine.

It makes you a good product because you understand your audience.

In fact years ago at Ken's, I had the great opportunity to interview George Burns a great comic, and he liked me because they knew a lot about it.

And he said, you know, kid, you're going to do okay, but I'm going to give you one piece of advice.

Don't forget the folks who buy the tickets.

So the obstacles now came that I learned from San Antonio when I eventually went to Washington DC, there were a lot of rules.

It's a very funny town because it's power oriented.

The first person that I worked for, he said, you're pretty smart.

Like George Burns setting, but he said, you look like you play a good game of checkers.

I'm going to teach you how to play political chess.

And that is what saved my career.

And to be able to accomplish things, you have to be able to not feel like it is at the end of the rope.

You have to be smart and resilient.

So I have learned a lot of lessons that way, uh, working on the air, being Senate confirmed was very interesting because as many people are familiar with the process that goes on with a Senate confirmation for a Supreme court justice, you end up having to fill a book out this big, and I've had FBI background checks for a top.

Secret clearance is one thing for a Senate confirmation.

You have the white house check you out, you have the Senate and house check you out.

You have everybody in there, their dog check you out.

That's why you have so many paper shredders in Washington, DC.

They don't put anything in the trash.

Speaker 1: And if I recall correctly, you were unanimously approved.

Speaker 2: Yes.

That was a beautiful thing.

And that was meaningful to me because the man that told me who was the, who was the chairman of the broadcasting board of governors said, I don't think you're going to make it because they don't like radio talk show host.

And then he called me one morning when they were putting my name through the process.

And he said, there is a God.

He said, you got confirmed.

He said, but I don't believe it.

You got unanimous.

So, you know, it was very emotional to me and the broadcasting board of governors.

We oversaw voice of America, radio free Europe, radio and television, Marty going into Cuba, the middle Eastern broadcast network, radio free Asia, and those journalists who put themselves on the line.

It was an honored to work with such great people and to learn from them too.

Speaker 1: Yeah.

So on the board of governors, I read that you were the first Latina, and I don't know if there have been many Latinas that followed after you, what was it like being the only Latina at that table, that prominent table?

Speaker 2: It was, you know, the fact of the matter is it was a real blessing because we dealt with Marty going into Cuba.

I had to go into Dennis Suela when Travis was there.

And it helped me in crazy ways because you'd be surprised how important it is to have that little open door of being able to speak Spanish.

They needed it.

And there haven't been Latina since I don't know it's changed a bit, but it wasn't.

I mean, I had some crazy experiences I was going into for radio free Europe and for voice of America and to Moscow, we were trying to get some stations there for our broadcasters.

And I got lost in the Moscow airport.

And I looked at this one woman and I thought, oh, maybe she'll, I'll be lucky.

She can speak English.

And help me to find my way.

I said, no English.

She said it's Spanish.

And she, her father had been the preeminent Cuban filmmaker from Russia, but did all the famous films.

So of course I got her on radio for uric free radio for Europe because she was so outstanding.

So I don't know the, the, uh, I've been blessed.

You know, my mother was from Sonata from Alamo CEO.

And, uh, she always maintained her Mexican citizenship.

My mother and father had a business at one point where they would go into Mexico and, and ensure films.

But I think it's been a blessing because you have a foot in one culture helps you understand many other cultures.

Speaker 1: Yeah.

Amen to that.

So I'm going to always remember if you lose it, you lose it.

I like that piece of advice.

What other advice would you give to other young Latinas that are looking to follow in your footsteps?

Speaker 2: I have a mind of not being afraid when the hard thing happens.

Okay.

Because you know, I know what it's like to have been fired.

I mean, when I was president national association of radio talk shows as the entire group, I say, how many of you all have been fired?

Everybody raised their hand because it's at business.

And sometimes you have to picking a side track.

Okay.

For example, I thought I was going to be able to get into broadcasting right away, MTC, but I had to go working through the census.

I was a Hispanic marketing director at the census.

Then I ended up going to FEMA.

I became a white house liaison at FEMA.

And then after Mr. President Bush, George Herbert Walker, Bush was not reelected then of course, cause I was a political employee.

You know, you, you serve with the will of the president.

That's how my radio career started again.

But I made so many friends and I learned how that town worked, that the side track was okay.

So somebody said, you know, Blanquita, there's a job in Richmond.

I was living in Alexandria.

It's like two hours away.

Uh, that has, uh, a radio station.

It's a daylight, which means it went down at daylight.

Okay.

Would you be willing to take the job?

I said, okay, I'll go over and talk to him because I had two children.

I had to put food on the table and I took it.

So every day I'd drive four hours a day to the job.

The great thing about this is why I say it.

Sometimes you think it's going to be too difficult.

I've always said, sometimes I can see in an opportunity, a little something sparkling that I take it.

It's going to be good and take the risk.

Speaker 1: Well, you strike me as someone that would seize every opportunity and optimize it and truly maximize it.

So that doesn't surprise me at all.

Okay.

Speaker 2: I love the business.

I love communication.

I love, I love working with people.

I love hearing their stories.

I love knowing why they do what they do.

I think one of the things that I love about talk radio is it would bring the high to the people.

You'd have members of the Senate who would come on or a president or a member of Congress.

They would never be able to talk to people the way they do on talk radio and the same vice versa.

I always encourage people, especially now.

Who's your governor, who's your mayor.

Who's your city council.

You know, there used to be a group here many years ago when I was working here, call us, go through Ruelas.

Okay.

The hat lakes.

And they would attend all the city council meeting on Thursdays.

And they'd be there like Madam Lefarge, knitting, you know, and they would watch what was going on.

And then they would be very organized when they would go meet with these members of the city council who represented them.

And by God, they got things done.

And that method still works.

They need to know you exist.

And that's how it makes this better than tearing something down.

You build something up, you negotiate, you establish your presence and your, and your viability because they work for you.

Speaker 1: That's right.

So you've worked with crews.

You worked with teams and of course, with, with your, uh, the talent and the clients you bring to the table, what's your philosophy on leadership and engaging people?

Speaker 2: Well, I think you have to be fearless and you have to know, even on my show, I said, it's not right versus left.

It's right versus wrong.

You have to be willing to go into the battle and leave with honor.

And I don't ask people to not to do anything that I wouldn't do.

And you know, it comes back to bite.

You, you know, I had this wonderful boss I told you about who taught me a lot.

And he said, don't be making sneaky deals.

Don't be trying to benefit yourself.

Remember you serve the people and you know, and that has been a blessing to me.

It really has.

The other thing is just the fact that you can make a difference, that you can make a difference for the good, I used to be on bill Marsha when he did politically incorrect and I'd go to California and do it out there.

And what I've been enjoying about him right now is he said, people can't get anything done.

If we can't talk to each other, the beauty of this country, the beauty of our way of life.

And believe me, I've been in Beijing, I've been a Moscow.

I've been in Saudi Arabia.

I've seen what it's like, where you have no freedom of speech.

I'm helped people get out of prison who have had their freedom of speech tonight.

I'd rather have someone tell me something I don't want to hear and disagree with them and be able to discuss it.

Now we have people that get out there and they say, I'm going to preach to you.

They're not going to dialogue with you and allow you to sink and have the ability to say, well, maybe I grew that maybe I don't.

Well, you know, I'm telling you, I know what it's like to see people in silence.

And that's why I want people to take action in their own lives and be fearless.

And that's part of leadership Speaker 1: That is, that is basic civil discourse and the ability to have a respectful conversation, be Speaker 2: Nice to each other for God's sake.

What does it Speaker 1: Hurt you?

Well said, well said, well Blanquita thank you so much for being on solu with us.

Speaker 2: Oh, thank you so much, my honor to be with you all again, Southern Speaker 1: Our next guest has been called a fearless leader and passionate advocate for academic success.

Those are the words of her boss, president Taylor, Amy at UTS.

Veronica sells our Mendez is the chief financial officer for UCSA, where she oversees all of their financial and operational resources.

And that's a big job when you contemplate their aggressive growth strategy specifically in real estate investments, Veronica, you have a big role at UTS.

Tell us about your path to get there.

Thank you.

Thank you for having me.

Um, I actually started my career at higher education at the university of Texas at Brownsville, and where had the opportunity to grow the university, not only in its enrollment and its capital holdings as well, and then had the opportunity to do the same at the university of California Merced said, and grow that campus and help them thrive to serve a Hispanic community there.

I was able to come back to Texas, close to home, to be able to be close to my parents.

Will they still live in Brownsville and get the opportunity to work here at UTFC again, to make an impact and serve a Hispanic thriving institution.

So it was very passionate and very excited to be here.

We are so glad to have you back in Texas and at UTS, you and Taylor on the full team are just doing such incredible, exciting things.

Uh, tell me a little bit about your leadership style and how you've grown into a leader and how you've cultivated your own personal, authentic.

I always think about why do I want to leave behind now?

I have two daughters and I want them to be proud of their mother and their heritage.

And so we're always thinking about how, what would they say, why would they like to see, you know, when they kind of walk once something's done.

So I leave behind not home for them, but for others like them.

And so it's always been about, you know, serving and being able to provide for others, whether it's through higher education or through jobs and many things, it's been an interesting journey, obviously growing from, uh, something that, you know, how do I feel comfortable leading others?

I have learned a lot and are able to feel very comfortable now being a nurturing leader and being able to provide that for them as well.

Well, and in finance and academics, those are a majority male dominated industries.

Have you had any challenges that you've had to overcome in that respect?

Well, it's been interesting to see how, you know, you're welcome or not welcome or how you're perceived around, you know, when you can bring to the table, but it's always about, you know, and being assertive, being very confident with yourself about what you didn't know and when you wanted the cheap, um, the great opportunity with higher education.

And the job that I do at UCSA is that it's such a noble opportunity, right?

It's it's job that you want to create for others you're providing for economic development for students.

So it's always good to talk about that.

And then you can see I'm very passionate about that.

And so being able to communicate that in any study that overcomes any bias that I can encounter, And it's a Hispanic serving institution, which we are all very proud of.

What advice do you lend to your staff or your students, or maybe any other Latinas that are looking to follow in your footsteps?

Well, you have to straight through to yourself, you be confident that, uh, would you have a voice that you have a point of view that what you have to say matters.

And so being very strong and rooted on that, it's very helpful to be able to have worry about what other people think and what's happening around you just stay strong as they stay committed to what the goal is.

And so it's always also good for people to understand that your heritage is also important.

Have you been given any advice as you've grown in your career that you didn't take?

I did.

I actually, that's a great question.

Um, you know, I, as a Mexican American woman, uh, the expectation of family, so we started just staying around and I'd taken care the family in when I grew up.

And so I didn't, you know, when they say stay in one place, I didn't.

So I was able to, um, move forward and be able to provide for others what I was able to achieve in one place and still take care of my family, still provide for them, but do more for others.

And there's sniff, there's like an undercurrent that I felt growing up about, you know, not being in positions, be happy with what you have.

And to me, it wasn't about being vicious.

It was just about, you know, not wanting more.

It was to serve more, to serve others, to be able to again, provide pathways for education to others.

Well, I would argue that to work here at UTS for president Taylor, Amy, you have to be ambitious and you have to be fearless, but I'm curious what he meant when he said you were a fearless leader.

So I am not afraid to make the tough decisions to lead others through very difficult times.

Um, you know, we came of course, PTSA and growing mold.

And that means also that we need to rethink the way that we're doing things.

And so then we're more efficient, more effective, and being able to invest in one more things.

And so that comes with a lot of decisions that maybe others around us, and we want to make before about lists three things, the way that we're doing things, let's make sure that we're investing in some of the things that help us grow.

Um, we have to take, you know, very desperate measures to be able to sustain and to be positioned, to be successful through probate.

And when we may have to decide, you know, how are we going to serve our students and make quick decisions and say, Hey, this is the way we're going to move forward.

And so, um, it was important and I think that's what he meant.

I assume that throughout your career, there have been many times that you've been the only woman sitting around the table or in the room.

Um, how was that for you?

Do you feel like your voice was heard?

How did you position yourself to make sure that you were getting your point across So many times?

You know, I growing, uh, in my career, I had, you know, construction, real estate finance.

Those are all male dominated areas.

And, uh, it's interesting, you know, I come into the room, maybe be ignore, but I can always think to myself, the worst thing you can do is underestimate me, you know?

And so that's what I sit down, listen.

And then when you speak, they are quiet and then you're able to express your ideas.

I do spend time listening and understanding personalities can of reading what's happening, but I have a point of view and I have things to offer too.

So once I speak, then these it, And I can imagine that when you speak it is all substance, It's very, very straight to the point.

Yes, that's a, that is, you know, it can be a flaw sometimes, but it is also, it's important just to get to it really quickly.

Well, Veronica, thank you so much for your insight, your passion for your decisiveness and the example that you set for other Latinas.

And we appreciate you being on the show.

Thank you.

We don't always think about creativity and business in the same line of thought, but both of those elements have to collide daily for our next guest, Laura Diaz, owner and operator of the mint salon and almost park.

She has to be both the top notch stylist and business woman every single day.

Laura, thank you so much for joining us.

My first question for you is very simple and it is, have you always been this creative?

Speaker 2: Yes, but my mother was very creative.

She was very crafty and I have three other sisters.

So all of us are crafty in some way or another.

I'm the hairdresser.

And I have my sister's souls and I have one that crabs and my other sister looks like a hairstylist, but she's not, but we've always been artists on some way or another.

Yeah.

Speaker 1: And so when did you know you wanted to be a stylist?

Speaker 2: I actually didn't know I was a phlebotomist.

I was a barista.

Um, I did a couple of things and I went to go get a haircut with one of my friends.

And as I sat in her chair, I was like, I can do this.

Like, this is creative.

It allows me to like meet people.

It allows me to dress how I want, I can have crazy hair.

This is what I want to do.

So then that's what kind of sparked it.

And I went to school for it.

And it's been my passion ever since.

Well, first of all, Speaker 1: Not crazy.

It's absolutely beautiful.

So, you know, being a hairstylist is one thing, but you were doing that and your running a business.

So what was that transition like for you?

When did you know you wanted to do it and how has it been opening up your own?

Speaker 2: And the beginning, it was very hard.

I was just always stressed out.

Um, I think the first four years were the hardest just because trying to get everybody like on the same page.

Um, but once I got the ball rolling, I guess after the fourth year, I kind of calmed down and like learned like, okay, you can't control everything.

Yeah.

It's been a challenge, but we're already nine and a half years.

And so I'm kind of all right, I got this and Speaker 1: You have six other stylists here, Speaker 2: Including me at six stylists.

Yes.

We, um, the most I've had is eight, but in here this spot, we only fit six.

So, Speaker 1: So clearly that philosophy working for you, you're successful in doing both.

You manage your clientele, but you're also running a business.

Speaker 2: Yeah.

I, I really like being behind the chair.

So I re I brought it my sister to help more with the front desk.

And so I don't have to play that management boss role so much.

I'd rather be behind the, Speaker 1: If you could go back to nine years or so ago, when, when you transitioned from just being a stylist to running your business, what would be the piece of advice you'd give yourself at that time?

Speaker 2: You don't have control over everything because that's one thing I've had to learn.

That's like my main thing is you can't control everything and just, I have to be more calm pretty much.

It really makes a huge difference.

Speaker 1: That's just good life advice.

Yeah.

Speaker 2: But this is my life.

Speaker 1: It is your life.

It is your life.

So what's the best advice you've been given that you've never taken Speaker 2: Get alone.

I've done everything to not get alone.

Um, my first salon, when I first opened it, I just, I worked seven days a week, eight to 10 hours until I had enough to open my own salon.

And ever since then, um, so this is my third one we've moved into and I've been able to do it without getting alone.

And, um, also the handyman here, the electrician, the plumber.

So I've learned to really do everything myself.

That's your Speaker 1: Entrepreneurial spirit shining through That's a wrap.

Thank you so much for joining us here on salute, celebrating San Antonio's Latino leaders.

We had a chance to hear from three wonderful leaders from Blanquita column about being fearless and composed and controlled from Veronica Salazar, Mendez about substance and from Laura Diaz about creative inspiration.

Thanks again for joining us.

We'll see you next week.

Saluda is presented by Texas mutual insurance company, WorkSafe, Texas.