Meet Lisann Valentin

Editor's Note: Li was one of "the" first Latina bloggers I found when I created Blogs by Latinas. I am in awe of her inspirational blog. I finally got to meet her at the BlogHer conference in NYC. Since then, she has been an amazing friend and confidante. 

Name: Lisann Valentin
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Profession: Actress, Writer, Lawyer
Web Site: www.herdeepthoughts.com
www.lisannv.com

Where were you born and where did you grow up for the most part of your life?

I was born in Brooklyn, NY and was taken back and forth to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico about three times a year until I was sixteen years old. I am a New Yorker through and through, and a super proud Puertorriqueña.

What (if any) adversaries or discouragements did you face growing up?

Discouragements are everywhere - that's why I live my life by example, showing others it's o.k. to pursue their dreams. The most difficult obstacle I had to overcome was to be told I wouldn't achieve anything because I was Latina, and for others to have low expectations of me because of my ethnicity. It drove me to became a writer, a teacher, a lawyer and an actress. I will keep shooting for the stars.

If there was one experience in your life that you could do over, what is it and what would it be?

Well, I know that all of my experiences have had made me into the person that I am now, so I don't live with any regrets. The one thing I might add would have been to study abroad for a semester. But I can always study abroad, if I so choose, because that's the beauty of life. We make of it what we desire.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Ten years is so far away! Well, in ten years I will continue on my journey to change the world, one dreamer at a time. Since my passion of being a storyteller as a writer and actress will be in full swing (TV, movies, books, motivational speaking), I'm sure I'll be on another new endeavor by that time. ;-) And if by chance I am married with kids, then I will embrace those roles with as much passion as I put into my professional goals.

Name a fellow Latina, in your professional world, that inspires you. Why?

In my professional world as an artist and in my personal world, I am inspired by my sister Jillian. She's been a singer her entire life, a TV host, a photographer and is just so very talented. She's been through so much and despite the obstacles, she keeps moving forward. Maybe it's just in our genes or it’s the example set by my hardworking mom, but Jillian's drive and her passion truly inspires me.