First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back, First Gens! As we start off the month of March, we start with a new theme: Reclaiming Our Roots as a First Gen. During this month, our conversations will focus on identity, healing, and what it really means to grow up “on the hyphen.”
For many first gens, growing up on the hyphen means living in this space between cultures where you’re told you’re not quite enough of either one. In this episode, I share how I often felt “too American” in Cuban spaces and “too Cuban” in American ones. Because of the constant shapeshifting of adjusting language, personality, and even dreams, I didn’t know who I was anymore.
Over time, that pressure followed me into adulthood. As I grew up, I realized that the need for therapy, rest, and clarity didn’t always line up with cultural expectations. Growing up first gen can often mean that mental health conversations are dismissed as extra or unnecessary. Choosing healing can often feel like rebelling against the family.
In this conversation, I talk about feeling like the black sheep in my family. I did not want to reject my roots, but I could no longer live in survival mode. This might be something that you can also relate with.
Reclaiming our Roots as First Gens
Eventually, my healing journey led me to tools like Human Design. I learned that I am a Projector, which helped me reframe all those years of self-criticism. Instead of forcing myself into hustle culture, I began to understand my energy in a new way.
Reclaiming my roots doesn’t mean perfectly preserving every tradition or repeating every pattern. It means building a bridge between where I come from and where I’m going. I learned that I can honor my Cuban heritage while also making room for new traditions centered on mental health.
Remember, evolving the mold is not betrayal, it’s legacy work. You are not the black sheep; You are the blueprint. Every time you choose healing, you expand what your roots can hold. If you need support along the way, remember that your Madrina is always in your corner.
The First Gen Madrina
The First Gen Madrina is built on three interconnected branches designed to support first-generation students and professionals in wellbeing, wealth, and community:
Madrina Money focuses on financial wellness through a first-gen lens. This branch supports individuals in unpacking money stories, building sustainable wealth, and gaining the confidence and tools needed to make empowered financial decisions without shame or judgment.
Madrina Network is dedicated to supporting social work students and professionals. Through resources, coaching, community, and conversations beyond traditional paths, this branch helps social workers navigate burnout, career growth, and non-traditional opportunities while staying aligned with their values.
Madrina Speaks centers on storytelling, speaking, and education. Through workshops, keynotes, panels, and the podcast, this branch creates space for honest conversations about first-generation experiences, identity, money, and purpose helping individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Together, these branches reflect the heart of The First Gen Madrina: breaking cycles, building confidence, and supporting first-gens as they step into lives of intention, impact, and abundance.
Check out http://thefirstgenmadrina.com for more information!
