Leda Matos: A Journey!

Tell me a little bit about your early live story in the Dominican Republic and then transcending to New York and if you had obstacle in the processes, what were those?

"Since I was little girl I  had the passion for the arts and communications. I started my career when I was nine years old as a model, doing prints, showrooms, runways and commercials. At the age of 12 I decided to go to a casting for one of the popular kids TV show named, Sabado Chiquito, I was selected and had the opportunity to showed my communication skills in front of the camera. At the age of 15 I moved to New York. At the beginning, it was hard to adapt because I didn't have my friends with me and the school system was totally different, although I demonstrated that I was able to overcome any obstacles and graduated top 3 in High school."

What college you went to and what was your major or graduating bachelor?

"I graduated from Lehman College with a bachelors in mass communications and French and also I studied abroad at the Institut Catholique de Paris in France."


Tell me a little bit about how you find out about "Desde New York" and how you became a reporter?


"Well I have had the opportunity to find wonderful people on my way and one day the director of the project saw my demo, she liked and gave me the chance to work in Desde New York. I was in charge of doing a segment featuring the best spots in new york and I loved it because I was able to inform people about all the culture New York has to offer while having a lot of fun. This opportunity made me grow as a professional and opened the door for my new adventure on Univision, working as a reporter for the national newscast Noticiero Univision Ultima Hora."

What have been some of the accomplishments and downturns throughout your career?

"One of my biggest accomplishments is having the opportunity to work in the most important TV network in the Unites States, Univision. It was [my] dream since I was little girl, so I believe this is an example that everything happens for a reason and that dreams come true with a lot of perseverance, dedication and patience. And of course some of the downturns have been when some doors have closed, but I believe that when one doors closes it is because God has something better on your way."

How you felt when you did your first celebrity interview?

"Really excited, thrilled and of course nervous. I need to remember who was that first artist..lol." 

Also, I have seen some of your pictures, do you have a background on modeling? If so, have you participate in any fashion shows?

"Yes, I was Reina Nacional del desfile Dominicano 2005, so I was a queen..hahaha...and of course I have done several fashion shows and now I'm also a modeling teacher."

Through out your career, have you influence anyone or have impacted a community? If so  how have you impacted this person's live or community?

"Well I remember that I went to do an interview about a race for breast cancer and I interviewed cancer survivors and I felt great that in a way I was contributing to make conscience by informing the audience about this illness."

Where do you see yourself in the future? Let's say about 5-10 years from now? 

"Well, maybe having a wonderful family, growing in my career, having my modeling school and helping the community, specially focusing on children education because I love working with children and when you help out it feels really good."

Braulio K Martinez: Make It or Die Trying!

Braulio K Martinez, was born October 11, 1989.

He was raised in the Bronx, NY. As a child,

Braulio had a big dream, which was to manage

and own his own company. But as the years

approach, the dream's light and the hope to

accomplish what he wanted so bad, was

dimming out gradually. It was hard to

fullfil his goal, not only because he was young,

but because the street life was calling him.

Although he wanted to focus and continue a

positive path, it wasn't easy to stayed away from the

negative aspects of society.

Braulio, as an older brother, had many responsibilities.

Therefore, at the age of 15 he started to work at the

New York City Library. Mr. Martinez was a working man

who was always accountable for his own actions and goals.

His tagline was always to strive for what he wanted and never

give up until he gets it.

Unfortunately, On November 2008, the tagline became

invisible, Braulio got arrested and received 5 months sentence.

On March 2009, he was released with the hopes of never going

back as he stated, "that was going to be the last time anyone

would take my freedom away." After the rough 5 months, Braulio

landed a job at Night Train magazine, where he was able to meet

celebrities such as Whoopie Goldberg. Later, Whoopie saw

his potential and became one of his sponsors.

As the flame of freedom and growth stood strong,

there was something missing that he wanted to do

so much, his own non-profit company. In an action to

help models, upcoming singers/rappers, photographers,

he created "KVYBETV." This new company mission

was to help out those who are talented and are limited to services

and resources due to their background.

Braulio believes, "that the modeling industry is a

very competitivespot to be, specially for new

coming models with little or no experience...this

database was set up for real life models, agencies,

and photographersto interact with one another to

gain trust, share ideas and helpful trips,and work together

to develop some of the best models the industry canoffer."

In August 2010, Braulio started a new company called,

The 500 Club,which main goal is to create events.

Braulio K. Martinez has come a verylong way and

there is still more to come. He currently attends ASA College.

He has an Associate Degree in business and now going for his Bachelor's .

Lisbeth Reyna: A Story of Faith

Lisbeth Reyna, 21, born in the United States and
grew up in San Francisco de Macoris,Dominican Republic.
She returned to New York at the age of 13th,
and struggle with what most immigrant go through:
cultural diffusion/ adaptation and language barriers.

Although a new culture and new friends seem like
an obstacle, she adopted to the new environment and
had faith that things might improve as the years go by.
And faith listened, Lisbeth graduated from high school
at the age of 16, making her one of the youngest
graduate from Walton High School.

What makes Lisbeth an exceptional women, is
not the fact that she overcame her cultural impediments,
but what she is currently doing now.

Ms. Reyna graduated from The City College of New York
this past May with a bachelor in Media and Communication:

Public Relations.She went on to do internships in Public Relations

companies such as IDPR and Footsteps. She helps out with events

such as My Black is Beautiful, which is spreading awareness about

African American beauty and cosmetics.

Nonetheless, Lisbeth's catholic faith brought her closer to
what she believe is every human's right and need.
This is specifically why Lisbeth, wakes up every single Saturday
to teach biligual children from the neighborhood, at a local
church call Saint Angela Merici, the world of wisdom, the word of God.

Lisbeth is always helping out in church, creating new ways to
engage churchgoers to do more for their church. She is always
positively providing a word of counseling to those young minds
that are going through the wrong path, and creating events
that provide teens with insight on how they can obtain and receive
God and Jesus Christ as their savior.

She is truly an inspiration to all of us!