We are kicking off Women’s History Month with flamiga, communications extraordinaire, and fashionista, Carol Lyn Colón. If you’ve ever been around her, you know what a magnetic, compassionate, and beautiful soul she is.
F60 Interview
Carol Lyn Colón, VP of Public Relations
Gavin – Evolving Influence
1. Tell us a little bit about your background.
I’m an Afro-Latina from Brooklyn, New York. I’m a first-generation “American.” My parents were born in Puerto Rico, though the island is part of the United States, Puerto Ricans are not widely viewed as Americans. I straddle different worlds, from hip-hop to salsa to English, Spanish, and Spanglish.
At times, I don’t feel I’m American enough here in the States, and not Latina enough when I intersect with other members of the Latino community. But I know in my heart and what I carry with me is that I’m a full-blooded Boriqua and one of the answered prayers of my ancestors. I see it as my responsibility that my multicultural twins have an appreciation for where we came from and be proud of their heritage as Afro-Latinos.
2. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? And what’s the last thing you do before going to bed?
⏰ Wake up: I thank God for the morning and I pray for strength to see what’s ahead so I can plan and be ready. I ask for God to protect my children whenever and wherever I can’t protect them.
🛏️ Before going to bed: I watch the news (although I shouldn’t as much as I do). I then pray for those out on the streets for God to protect them and reveal His grace and mercy. I also give God thanks and pray for the protection of my family and the people I love. I need to seek guidance from a higher power, especially as a parent. This is a difficult and complex world we live in.
3. What do you want to be known for?
People use kindness as something you have to do. At the core, we are born to be kind. Watch children play innocently. 🥰 I hope that I can serve as a reminder of our innate kindness by serving as an example. A kind word or thoughtful gesture can go a long way in helping someone – we’re all battling something.
It is important for me to make sure my children follow suit and help others – embrace questions, accept their curiosity, and help people understand our differences. The more we accept our differences the easier it will be to connect and understand each other.
4. What’s a lesson you’ve recently learned that’s helped you get better?
I learned that I needed to stop making people feel comfortable amid their ignorance. I can no longer stay silent when marginalized people are being critiqued or made fun of. Speaking up for people in rooms they’re not in.
5. What advice would you give to another professional just starting out?
It’s not solely WHAT you know, but WHO you know that will open doors of opportunity, which is why protecting your reputation and nurturing relationships (across all levels) is paramount.
Learn to listen, and observe, and don’t be so eager to prove. Early on in our careers, we’re so quick to want to prove ourselves that we miss critical lessons that are needed for our professional growth.
6. What are you most grateful for?
This is a hard question to answer because I’m grateful for so many things. I’m most grateful for having the ability to experience life and have a story to tell. That story is built on the power of faith and resilience. I’m sure there’s more to my story because it’s not done yet.
7. Name a leader you admire (dead or alive)
There are many leaders that I’ve admired, but a constant voice I turn to is Dr. Maya Angelou whose stories, quotes, and life experiences helped us shape our lives and gave us guidance that perhaps our ancestors would have given us. I turn to the power of her words often. She had such a gift for guiding us through her words.
8. What book are you reading? Or what show are you watching?
📖 Reading is hard with twins. The Alchemist is a book I turn to over and over again and a book I always recommend is “How to Win Friends and Influence People”. An audiobook that I’m listening to is “Built to Last”. An oldie but goodie.
🎧 Podcast I’m listening to Tara Brach’s Radical Acceptance
📰 I’m a news junkie and I watch news shows and I love HGTV.
9. Your favorite dish 😋
I can’t pick a favorite because I love Puerto Rican food.
I like another oldie but goodie, Lauriol Plaza in DC. There’s something there for all foodies.
If you want to enjoy a Summer afternoon with a dozen crabs and refreshing beer, you must visit The Point Crabhouse and Grill in Maryland, right on the water.
10. Your favorite DC spot to visit
The Waterfront during the National Cherry Blossom Festival. It’s absolutely magical! I also love Jazz in the Garden during the summer at the National Sculpture Garden.
11. Your favorite music artist
I love music 🎶, so I can’t name just one. I was fortunate enough to grow up during the rise of Hip-Hop in New York and Salsa from artists like La Fania All Stars and El Gran Combo streaming through apartment windows. Among my faves are Notorious BIG, Erykah Badu, John Coltrane, Marc Anthony, Karol G, not necessarily in that order.
12. An app, tool, or gadget you can’t live without:
Waze app because I wouldn’t know where I’m going; iPhone camera because I love to capture great moments, and iPads are the greatest invention for all parents.
