About

People who hail from the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic are the fifth largest ethnic group in the United States. Their contributions to the American fabric of life are felt daily in every industry, including politics, sports, entertainment, law and medicine. And while they've changed the face of places like Boston and New York, they are energizing all kinds of places around the nation -- and the world.

Join Venus ahd Elbert from Miami, as we talk to our Dominican community's most gifted leaders - from old school veterans to rising trailblazers. Get a glimpse of not just to their personal journeys, but also to their take on some of today's hottest issues in the U.S. and abroad.

Whether its about the history we've made or the history we're making, you are sure to learn about something -- or someone -- you didn't know.

About the Hosts

Venusmia “Venus” Fernandez Lovely

co-founder & co-host

Venusmia “Venus” Fernandez Lovely is a seasoned and multifaceted professional with over 15 years of experience in leadership roles and developing programs for community engagement. She is co-founder of The Lovely Group, a consulting agency that works with multiple organizations such as the Football is Freedom Initiative, Florida Rising, and the Coconut Grove Art & Historical Association.

Venus' passion for civic engagement and the arts has seen her at the helm of various programs to improve communities throughout South Florida. She currently serves as Administrative and Special Events Director and the President of the South Dade Democratic Black Caucus.

Born in Brooklyn, but raised in Miami, Venus is the daughter of the former New York Dominican Consul General, Francisco Fernandez. Past positions and titles include Vice President of the Reggae Girlz Foundation, Inc. Miami-Dade Ambassador for the Arts and the Chief of Staff to both Senator Dwight Bullard and Annette Taddeo.

Elbert Garcia

co-founder, co-host & co-executive producer

Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York, Elbert Garcia has spent the last two decades working to lift up the voices and experiences of people of color and immigrants. His work has included everything from digital journalism at The New York Times to serving as senior press staffer for Democratic politicians at the national and state level to consulting on social media and communications strategy with movement groups in Florida.

Elbert is currently the Director of Strategic Communications at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), a DC-based advocacy organization dedicated to challenging grantmakers to be transparent with, and accountable to, the communities we serve. The proud father and husband is a first generation Dominican-American alumnus of the Prep for Prep and National Urban Fellows programs.