Our Someone 2 Know, Vanessa Vancour, was raised speaking Spanish and English and is always deeply connected to her Mexican heritage.
The young, Reno professional says until recently, she kept that part of herself separate from her work life. Then, about five years ago she began she began advocating for inclusion and bilingualism in all aspects of our society.
From festivals and celebrations, to public speaking engagements, Vanessa Vancour thoroughly enjoys honoring the culture she was born into - and it's rarely what people expect when they first meet her.
“I (she pauses) - surprise people constantly because they don't expect me to be Latina."
Because, let's face it - Vanessa’s skin color isn't what most people expect when they learn a person is Mexican.
"I present as white and I think people who are from Latin American countries or Latin American culture know that we Latin people come in all shades."
Vanessa's Ted X Talk in 2017 was about her experience growing up as a Mexican-American.
You know people would make the assumption that my mom was my nanny and that I spoke Spanish because this brown lady was caring for me."
Challenging those assumptions and finding ways to integrate diverse cultures and languages into all aspects of society prompted Vancour to create something new while a faculty member at the University of Nevada, Reno.
"I founded the areas first bilingual news outlet - English and Spanish - it's called Noticiero Móvil.”
Soon after, Noticiero Móvil developed a partnership with K-UNR, the National Public Radio station on campus. Five years later, the bilingual newscast is thriving and serving an increasingly diverse - and hopefully inclusive - northern Nevada.
"This is just how our community functions, is we're all woven in together - there is no other, we're all in this together."
Vancour has now taken her challenge to the next level, with the community and charitable boards she serves on.
"They need to think critically about their own sphere of influence and whether they're willing to give up their seat for someone else."
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Vanessa currently sits on the board for the Holland Project in Reno and as a member of Washoe County School District's Family Resource Center Committee.
If you'd like to check out the work of Noticiero Móvil , there are links to various digital platforms below -
Website for Noticiero Móvil
Facebook for Noticiero Móvil
https://www.facebook.com/NoticieroMovil
Vanessa’s Ted Talk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=12&v=sE4-req-Hes&feature=emb_logo
Vanessa’s recent article on Double Scoop “No More Special Sections”
