Articles by Nicole Akoukou Thompson

Nicole Akoukou Thompson


1001-1025 (out of 1205)

Latest from this author

Frida Kahlo Forever: The Importance of Her Work & Her Life

Coyoacan-born artist Frida Kahlo moved in surrealism and magic realism - though she once stated, “I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.” She created paintings that celebrated Mexican, Amerindian and indigenous tradition, while at the same time capturing her sorrow, her honesty and her hope. To understand her work is to understand her life.

Latinos Presence in Science Fiction and Fantasy Film & Television

Born in the year 2349 on the Federation colony Kessik, half-human and half-Klingon, B’Elanna Torres acted as the Provisional Lieutenant/Chief Engineer on the USS Voyager, acting under Capt. Kathryn Janeway. Roxann Dawson, biracial (African American/Anglo)* actress and director, portrayed the brave and brilliant Latina Torres, perfecting the role of the quietly self-loathing, perpetually rebellious and passionately loyal character. Torres is the only major character in Star Trek to have Hispanic Heritage, which speaks to the present state of Latinos in Science Fiction.

Horchata: The History of the Delicious Beverage & How to Make it at Home

Orxata de xufa, the delicious milky beverage made from ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley or tigernuts (chufa nuts), better known as Horchata, varies in name and flavor from region to region. The sweet and infectious drink, which is served chilled or over ice and originated in Valencia, Spain, has become a favorite natural summertime refreshment throughout Europe and South America.

Small Latino-Owned Startups Often Face Struggles

Research was recently done to investigate whether there were startups launching scalable businesses aimed to service the Hispanic community/ consumers, and surprisingly, there aren't very many.

Chicano Studies to Latin Studies, and Growing Interests Courses and Programs Grow Nationwide

Since Latino Studies first became available over 40 years ago, the number Latino Studies programs being offered has risen to around the country is around 440.

Xánath Caraza & Poetry's Relationship to Ethnic Studies

Xánath Caraza gathered the African roots of Mexico when she created and recited the enthralling poem, entitled "Yanga," named after the leader of the slave rebellion in Mexico during the early stages of the Spanish colonial rule. "Yanga," included Caraza's new short story collection, "Lo Que Trae La Marea/What the Tide Brings," a piece of work that beckons remembrance and is inspired by the rhythms of Caraza's home state of Veracruz, Mexico, and African history.

Latinos' 500 Year Presence in America

1845: the year Latinos first contributed to American history, according to most history books, which excludes Latino presence/influence prior to that date. The truth, however, is that Latinos have had an extensive history in the United States that began three centuries prior to what textbooks indicate.

'Empanda Fork:' The Im'press'ive Device That Will Simplify Making Empandas

Empanadas have been adopted and altered by the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Haiti, Afghanistan, Latin America, India, Jamaica, the United States and Sri Lanka, but it originated in Galicia, Spain and Portugal during the early 1500s. The delicious savory pastry that takes on different forms, and has can be filled with various meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, has not evolved very much since its inception; but one Latina inventor has resolved the most tedious step in the empanada baking process, the edge-pinching.

Are There No National Latino Leaders?

Once upon a time there was Mexican-American man by the name of César Chávez, a farm worker who became a civil rights leader and founded the United Farm Workers Union...and there was an inspirational woman named Dolores Huerta, also Mexican-American, who helped him do it. Then, there was a Colombian-American man by the name of Harry Pachon, who drew national attention to Latino issues, such as bilingual education, political engagement and immigration. To follow, there were a number of men and women who helped to mobilize change and enable success for Latinos in America. The End?

Dominican Bodega Owner's $338 Million Lottery Win Destroys a 10-Year Relationship

Dominican immigrant and New Jersey bodega owner Pedro Quezada played the lottery, and against 1-in-175 million odds, he won. The 44-year-old became the sole winner of the fourth largest jackpot in Powerball history, claiming $338 million -estimated at $152 Million after taxes. Quezada, who shared his grocery store business with his longtime partner of 10 years - a Mexico native by the name of Ines Sanchez, has changed significantly since the win.

The Posh Latin Cook: Cooking in the Cocina

Preheat the oven, and let the heat rise to an odd 425 degrees. Spray the roaster grill with oil. Then, add salt and pepper... let the meat sizzle on the grill. In no less than 45, you'll be serving 4-5 a warm and delicious meal. The Posh Latin Cook, Elena Carlo, designs and masters recipes like the Saffron & Honey Buffalo Drumsticks, and serves it up hot for her family to eat...but only after she photographs it for her blog.

Transgender Teen Honored By TeenNick

Zachary Kerr’s work in the transgender community at just 19-year-old, has changed lives. Kerr facilitates educational programs through Greater Boston’s PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays), demonstrates fearlessness in the face of adversity, and is a role model to thousands of transgender individuals who struggle daily with their identity.

'Before God: We Are All Family:' A Film About Latinos, the LGBT Community and Love

The film, which premiered at the GALA Hispanic Theater in Washington, DC, reveals the story of five religious Latino families who learned to look beyond binding church teachings, in order to accept their daughters, sisters, brothers and sons, whose gender identities or sexual orientations are outside of the norm.

Death in California Prompted by Racial Slur Exchange

On Friday, Nov. 8, a man was shot and killed while driving his car in a Rialto neighborhood in Southern California. According to Police Captain Randy DeAnda, the fatal shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute that was fueled by racial slurs.

John Leguizamo & Kanye West Use Re-appropriation to Change Perceptions

Kanye West, the king of unwarranted controversy, embroidered the Confederate flag, a racist symbol for many, onto several items in his line of merchandise for his current Yeezus tour. The star, who's gotten mixed reviews for his budding sense of fashion, received criticisms, but was nonetheless seen photographed wearing a jacket with the flag sewn onto its shoulder just a week ago. Kanye's decision to "reclaim" the flag, follows the effort of other celebrities, such as John Leguizamo, who has attempted to reappropriate a term or an artifact to morph the way it's received.

Transgender Awareness Week Spotlights the Struggles and Victories of Latino Trans People

Late May of this year, 22-year-old Victor Diego, a gay, transgender man who goes by the name of Vivian Diego and works as a waitress at Eva Longoria's Hollywood Boulevard restaurant, Besos, was faced with the unthinkable. He left work at 2:30 a.m. after working a lengthy shift. As he made his way home, he was accosted by four men, and beaten until he lost consciousness.

Mo' Latinos, Same Problems: Negative Portrayal of Latinos Continue in the Media, Despite More Latino Talent on the Screen

Latinos are likely to find a familiar faces on nearly every network. Yet, Latinos continue to be bound by stereotypical roles. Latinos remain playing the role of ditsy but forgivable housewife, confident but compassionate prison inmate, cold-blooded and calculating drug dealers, and devious and seductive housemaids.

Spanish Is in Demand, But Native Spanish-Speakers Don't Reap the Benefits

Check the job listings on Craigslist, Idealist, Monster.com and Linkedin, and you will find postings that indicate: "Spanish Speaker Needed," "Spanish Fluency Preferred" or "Native speaker of fully fluent in Spanish requested." There's no doubt that the language is in great demand; however, the people who natively speak it, simply are not.

Spanish-Speaking Latina Mothers in the U.S. Are More Likely to Protect Children Against Excessive TV Viewing

The National Institutes of Health authored and analyzed a survey that addressed the television viewing of young Latino children, which comprises one in five children in the U.S., today. The study was done to examine the correlation between health and viewing habits, and how the primary language spoken at home may affect the outcome of the child's eating habits, weight, and attention/focusing skills.

KWEX-TV First Spanish-Speaking TV Station Demolished

The station was erected as KCOR-TV in 1955, but was sold and became KWEX-DT. The building in now facing total demolition; 50-60 percent of the building has already been torn down, but the remaining portion of the structure has temporarily been secured by a court order.

The 'Texas Modern Hispanic Gentlemen" Award Presented to Four Philanthropic Men

Texas Modern Hispanic Gentlemen, sponsored by the illustrious Ketel One liquor brand from the Netherlands, is an award and title given to just four men annually to celebrate Hispanic leaders who exhibit excellence in their respective fields and to those who promote positive change in their communities.

Xicanisma: The Chicana Feminist & Her Movement

As mainstream feminism handled "white women's issues," they purposefully avoided racism and the unique concerns that women of color observed; which lead to the emergence of individual movements. For Latinas, that movement became known as Chicana feminism.

Mexico's Gael Garcia Bernal: Found in Translation

Gael Garcia Bernal began his career as a teen, playing dime roles on telenovelas, before coming into his own as a 19-year-old soap opera heartthrob, compelling women of all ages with his attractiveness and raw talent.

The Demons in the Church: At Least 100 Women Raped by Nine Mennonite Men in Bolivia

In Bolivia, 2009, nine “religious” Mennonites were jailed for sedating and raping at least 100 women and girls, in what was being called “the ghost rapes of Bolivia.” And, though these men are jailed, the epidemic continues.

Binational LGBTQ Families and Their Inclusion in Immigration Reform

LGBT organizations who seek immigration equality (Immigration Equality, The DOMA Project and Advocacy at the Latin American Coalition) and those who are part of a binational LGBTQ household continue to strive for change even after the decade-long battle for inclusion and access to green cards for their spouses appear to be over.
Real Time Analytics