E87 — Jon Valdez — Miami Born, Fuqua Made: A Lesson on Pride, Heritage, and Purpose
In this episode, host Sam Shain sits down with Jon Valdez to discuss his transformative journey of self-discovery, identity, and leadership.
Jon shares his story beginning with his early childhood in Miami's Little Havana with his Cuban immigrant family, to an abrupt move to rural South Carolina. He opens up about the bullying he faced, the pressure to hide his authentic self, and the challenge of navigating his intersecting identities as a Latino and a queer youth in a conservative environment.
The conversation shifts to a major turning point when Jon moved to Washington, D.C.. There, he…
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