On a gloomy winter day, the bright colorful sign on the front of 2727 DeHoop Ave. SW only hints at what can be found when you go through the door.
Inside, you might feel as if you had been transported to the heart of Mexico in the brightly lit shop that is full of clothing, home décor and shoes all carefully curated by the shop’s owner Nancy Quero. Guelaguetza Designs, which opened in the City of Wyoming at the end of October, has always been a dream of Quero.
From home décor to shoes, Guelaguetza Designs features an array of items. (Photo by WKTV)
Quero, who started her business in 2005, said she wanted to make a connection between her home culture of Mexico through its clothing and art. She started by first featuring the work of her mother, who has been an artisan for 30 years. As interested in her mobile shop grew, Quero also cultivated relationships with other artists she has known for most her life.
Her clinetle started “asking more about who made it and that they wanted one. So I started getting more things.”
Soon Quero was once again thinking about a permanent store.
“The idea of the store, it was there in the back of my mind for a very long time,” she said. “I just did not have the time or resources to do it.”
Through a friend, she was introduced to the SpringGR program, which helped her see that her desire to have a brick-and-mortar store could become a reality.
“It is a unique store because Mexican-Americans and our community can have access to unique items from Mexico,” she said.
A new line at Guelaguetza Designs is the black pottery from Oaxaca, Mexico. (Photo by WKTV)
The store features an array of items such as clothing lines for children, women and men. Guelaguetza Designs also features jewelry, purses, and shoes. A popular items is the Alebrijes, the little colorful hand-painted animals from Mexico. Quero also has added a line of black pottery from Oaxaca, Mexico, which is distinguished by its color, sheen and unique designs and one of the most popular and appreciated styles of pottery in Mexico.
She selected the DeHoop location because of its close proximity to 28th Street, a street she calls very international.
“You can find basically anything from Africa or South America so that is why we decided to do this in Wyoming, specifically on 28th Street,” she said.
For more about Guelaguetza Designs, visit the store at 2727 DeHoop Ave. SW, the store’s website, guelaguetzadesigns.com, or follow the store on Facebook page, Guelaguetza Designs.
Growing up in Mexico, Mónica Robles pestered her father to give her things he said were “only for boys.” Persistence paid off, and she did learn to ride motorcycles and pilot private planes. Today, Mónica takes that same feisty mindset to every endeavor she takes on, from community leadership to international marketing. Don’t miss this personal story of pluck and charm: from Mexico with love!
Abe Carrillo is a proud son of Mexican immigrants and proud employee at Herman Miller where he is Director for Diversity & Global Inclusiveness. He joins us to talk about the hard work of immigrants and the inspiring community work that Herman Miller is engaged in.
The group stood outside the door of the Godfrey-Lee Early Childhood Center media center. In Spanish, they sang, “In the name of heaven I ask you for shelter, for my beloved wife can go no farther.”
Inside, through the door’s window, another group responded, “This is not an inn. Get on with you. I cannot open the door. You might be a rogue.”
The back-and-forth song continued until someone opened the door, and the parents created a procession to the school’s gymnasium for a feast and fiesta.
Here in the school hallway, parents of preschool through second-grade students were re-enacting the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter at an inn in Bethlehem. They were kicking off the nine-day traditional Mexican holiday observance called Las Posadas, and giving teachers a taste of the season as celebrated in their native country.
Kindergartner Sanely Gonzalez plays with the Nativity
Las Posadas, which means “the inns” in English, precedes Christmas from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24. In Mexico, customarily, a couple dressed as Mary and Joseph knock on homes designated as inns, singing the song until someone lets the couple in.
In Godfrey-Lee, a majority Hispanic district, the volunteer-led evening event was an opportunity for parents to teach school staff members their traditions.
“We learn from each other about culture and food,” said Leonicia Rubio, an interpreter at the school. “Our parents want to share with teachers our traditions.”
After the procession comes fiesta time.
Teaching the Teachers
Dunce Pineda came with her daughters, high-school student Crystal Gonzalez and kindergartner Janely Gonzalez. Pineda said she has fond memories of carrying the Nativity set in Mexico and going from house to house. She likes that the tradition is being carried forward to young people. “I like that the kids get to learn the traditions of Mexico,” she said.
Parents served sizzling homemade dishes and treats including tamales, tacos, sweet bread called concha, Mexican fried cookies called bunuelo, and hot punch called ponche navideno.
“It’s really just bringing people together to build understanding and relationships,” said second-grade teacher Andrea Hall. “This is honoring the strengths our families are bringing to us.”
First-grade teacher Deedee Stasiak said staff members spend every school day with their students, often without knowing some of their treasured holiday traditions. Observing Las Posadas together was a great way to learn more about families and how their students spend the Christmas season, she said.
“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” Stasiak said. “They feel really special being able to teach us something for a change.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Life can have this fascinating way of coming full circle. A way of bringing us back to our roots on pathways that don’t become clear until a glance is taken in the rear-view mirror – which only happens once we’re at a place to truly call home. It is that sense of settlement that makes us feel secure enough to take a look back, and while the vision isn’t completely clear, it’s no longer a muddled mess; it’s an exciting and enthralling chance to see the events of the past lead to an optimistic future.
It’s a journey towards a new position in life to call home.
For Jesse Flores, 18, life is shaping a path to venture back to a home he’s never visited, it’s a dream scenario with love and passion at the core, and soccer as the catalyst.
“I started playing soccer when I was 4, but I didn’t start to take it seriously until freshman year of high school,” describes Jesse with the tone and tenor of someone fondly remembering the moment they first fell in love.
For Jesse, soccer has always had that relationship. Sports are a bond that can bring generations, especially a father and son, together in ways that transcend the playing field.
“I remember growing up and watching Atlas games on TV with my dad. They’ve always been my favorite team.”
While Jesse is from Wyoming, MI, his parents Jose and Icela both hail from Guadalajara, Mexico, where Jose played soccer for the youth team Atlas Fútbol Club. That bond to Atlas, and Mexican soccer, was passed down to Jesse.
With a new focus on the game as a freshman at Wyoming High School, Jesse’s game started to flourish. As a three-year varsity goalie, Jesse became a leader on the team and utilized his 6’3″ frame and long wingspan to defend the cage. His size and leadership allowed Jesse to lead the state in saves his senior season and earned him post-season honors.
Even with all the success, it was hard to imagine playing soccer at the next level.
“I didn’t consider it a real possibility until my high school coach, Romer Carrasco, told me that he thought I could play at the next level. Once I realized an opportunity after high school was possible, more doors opened up.”
Jesse and high school coach Romer Carrasco
Jesse wound up earning a scholarship to play soccer at the University of Saint Francis in Indiana. While the team struggled this past season, Jesse played well and compiled a highlight film to send out to professional teams in Mexico.
A professional opportunity was still nothing more than a dream.
“I connected with an agent in California who works with young players. He gets your info and film in front of Mexican teams,” recounts Jesse as he racks his brain, still marveling at the details of his incredible journey and opportunities awaiting on the path before him. “I’ve always dreamed of playing professionally, but I didn’t know if I’d have a chance.”
Since that time, two teams have reached out to Jesse to schedule tryouts: Chiapas Fútbol Club and hometown favorite Atlas Fútbol Club of Guadalajara. The tryout with Chiapas is already in the books, and the Atlas tryout will happen this summer. Chiapas didn’t offer a contract, but Jesse took some positives from the experience to build on before the tryout with Atlas.
“I didn’t end up getting the contract with Chiapas, but I was able to get a feel for how a professional tryout works. I was nervous and didn’t play loose. That won’t happen next time.” The club also gave Jesse some feedback on his play. “They told me to work on my conditioning, but also that they saw my potential. That was great to hear because it gives me more confidence knowing that I have the tools and the skill. I can always work on my conditioning!”
In the meantime, before the tryout with Atlas, Jesse will continue his education and playing career at Davenport University after transferring from Saint Francis to be closer to home. The newfound possibilities of becoming a professional soccer player mean more to Jesse than just personal achievement; he sees it as an opportunity to inspire.
“I want to inspire others as I go along. I was once that young kid who wanted to be professional, and now I have that opportunity. I want to do my best and achieve what I can so I can give back to the community of Wyoming and my high school. They’ve been so supportive of me up until this point. I want to give it back.”
This summer, Jesse will travel down to Guadalajara for an opportunity of a lifetime. Not only will he be trying out for his childhood team, but Jesse will visit his parents’ birthplace and meet family for the first time. He will see the city that his favorite soccer team calls home and immerse himself with the Club he hopes to call his own.
Jesse’s story is more than just an inspirational tale; it is a journey of family and sport coming full circle because of the bond created by a father, a son, their team, and a ball.
