Meet Diane.
Director of Community Outreach | Caribbean & Latin America
Diane Mankin-Cruz serves as Roots Strong's Director of Community Outreach for the Caribbean and Latin America. Born and raised in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, "la isla del encanto", Diane is proud of her Caribbean roots. Diane is currently a third year medical student at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. As a first-generation college graduate, Diane earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Universidad de Puerto Rico - Río Piedras Campus. Her science and medical background, combined with her upbringing and roots in the Caribbean, shape her passion to help and serve others. She is a student leader, advocate, and blogger who both documents her unique journey and mission to inspire others through her Instagram platform. As Roots Strong's Director of Community Outreach for the Caribbean and Latin America, Diane is integral in organizing and planning projects centered on empowering youth in marginalized communities throughout both the Caribbean and Latin America at large. Her advocacy for the youth of these communities will be instrumental in ensuring that the stories and voices of those in these regions are centered and heard.
Fun Facts about Diane.
Share with us some fun facts about yourself
In high school, I was both a cheerleader and on the basketball team. I love to dance and sing. In college, I was a "High School Musical" dancer and a church chorus member of "Juventud al Son de Cristo".
What are some social issues that you are passionate about?
With the current events of social injustice and discrimination occurring in the United States, I realize there was a lot to do in order to educate Puerto Ricans about what was really going on and in the same way educate Americans about the colonization status of the island. As a colony of the United States of America, we need to be aware about social injustice against Black communities and other minority groups. Not because I am not experiencing discrimination means that I am not going to recognize and acknowledge that it is happening. In the same way, there are injustices occurring in Puerto Rico, like the privatization of beaches to develop buildings like hotels for tourism. Most of the areas are archeological zones protected due to their importance towards the balance of the ecosystem. Or how the colony status affects how the Puerto Rican government is restricted to take decisions that will benefit the people; amongst others. We cannot neglect that we have a human obligation to fight against any form of social injustice or violation no matter if the country of the world you are living in is not directly experiencing it.
When you hear the words, “Roots Strong”, what does it mean to you?
Roots Strong means opportunity, justice and representation. I have always thought that we were all born qualified, but social disparities do not allow us to get the same opportunities. Roots Strong serves as an open door for justice, saying: I see you, I hear you and you are going to be empowered. We will be planting the seed of a strong root of equal education and representation; harvesting young boys and girls touched by Roots Strong who will be able to spread the seed of opportunity, justice and representation through their communities.
If you could fix 1-3 world problems affecting youth, what would they be?
If I could fix a world problem that the youth is currently facing; it would be obesity. I would implement a school project in which students from elementary through college were educated about the importance of achieving healthy lifestyles. Obesity highly increases the probability of acquiring and developing chronic conditions that could have been preventable with a balance diet and exercise. Obesity could also lead to depression and other psychological conditions; this are components that as an aspiring or current physician, we really need to pay attention to and address it immediately. It’s not about the looks but about improving our health and while doing so, feeling good in our own skin from the inside out.