Last Saturday, February 10, Latinas Love Sneakers presented their inaugural Galentine’s Sneaker Gala & Fundraiser in Houston, Texas. The founder Yvonne Guidry, affectionately known as “Spoiled Latina,” started Latinas Love Sneakers to amplify the Latina sneaker-loving community through digital content and pop-up experiences. She organized this first event to benefit her new nonprofit organization, Jefita Atrevida. The nonprofit organization aims to provide mentorship to first-generation high school students anticipating graduation. All proceeds will fund essentials like their caps and gowns, graduation photos, and their mentorship experience to prepare them for life after graduation.
The event was held at Dolce Villa Events and adorned with various photo booth opportunities like a classic red lowrider sitting outside the front entrance of the venue, a basketball goal made of a crystal net, a pink backdrop displaying various vases filled with pink and red carnations and the Jefita Atrevida logo. Last but not least, there was a green screen that allowed the photo booth to print out your photo with a Valentine-themed Houston skyline surrounded by red roses, hearts, and the name of the event created by Paradigm Photo Booths.
In the first hour, guests could check in and enjoy light bites and cocktails. Once you got to your table, you could find the centerpieces made up of flowers, shoe boxes with the Latinas Love Sneakers logo on them, mini Topo Chico bottles, and a pink mini basketball with a white Nike logo on it, all inspired by sneaker culture and designed by Glossy&Co. Each seat also came with a motivational card from Healthy Chicks and sneaker keychain sponsored by Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey. The venue provided dinner and dessert, a rose-themed bundt cake from A Bundt of Joy topped with a Jefita Atrevida key chain on top of the container.
The next hour, Yvonne Guidry welcomed all her guests and handed out various community awards. Each reward recipient did a catwalk with their sneaker-inspired gala outfits and gave the audience words of encouragement. During her speech, Yvonne introduced her new nonprofit organization. “Jefita Atrevida means daring little boss, and it’s more than just a name,” Guidry explained, “it embodies the belief that women can do all things. It champions the spirit of resilience, passion, and fearlessness. It defines women that we aim to support.” She recalled the sacrifices her mother made for her and emphasized “Through Jefita Atrevida, I am determined to pay it forward.”
Towards the end of the event, guests could enjoy dancing to the tunes of two Latina DJs: DJ Rosez and DJ Areal. There was also a silent auction that included various items like Texans Gear, a basket of goodies sponsored by Premium Goods, two airline tickets from Aeromexico, luxury purses, and various sneakers donated by HypeBeast GarSal. Giveaways were won at the end of the event like a $100 brow lamination treatment from HTX Brow Lab.
Donations are still being accepted for this nonprofit startup and anyone interested in donating can visit Jefita Atrevida’s Instagram.
