As the oldest daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, Karina Ramos-Villalobos’ job as a child was to translate and guide her parents through the language barrier they faced in their adopted country.
“I had to fill out paperwork. I had no idea what it was for. I had to send out text messages to my parents’ boss in English because my parents didn’t know English.”
Now, Ramos-Villalobos is a first-generation college student at Humboldt State University, studying journalism
“I knew college was always on the table because I know I had to make my parents proud since they immigrated from El Salvador,” she said.
She has a passion for social equity and community building and is determined to create spaces where Queer+ and BIPOC students, community, and art enthusiasts can come together and support one another in Humboldt County, where 83% of the population is non-Hispanic white.
Ramos-Villalobos founded a student-led event series called Humboldt Homies after seeing representation in many community arts events was predominately white.
“Through the space that I have created I have made new friends, and people want to see more of it. Right now, I am in the works of creating another event, because Arcata and Humboldt County really needs something like this,” Ramos-Villalobos said.
