Raydelys Morrobel Reyes—Bouncing Curls from the Boogie Down Bronx

What’s your name, name and where are you from?  

Raydelys Morrobel Reyes aka Areri. Dominican, currently living in NYC

What makes you different as a person?

I stand for everything everyone is afraid to stand for. I represent the controversial because I do not care for approval. I feel like my purpose in life is to show people it’s okay to be themselves by doing things that would usually attract negative judgements from society. For example being openly sexual. Women often get shamed for liking sex or simply being vocal about it, which is why I use social media to portray myself as a sex symbol, or often objectify myself in order to show other women that it is okay to be as openly sexual as men are, without being affected by criticism. If you know who you are, you do not need anybody else to tell you.

What do you want to accomplish in life?

Like every girl with a dream, I want to buy my parents a home, I want wealth, I want success, and health. But what I really want is for brown women to feel represented when they hear my name. I want people to feel influenced, to stop trying to fit into standards, and to put happiness over everything. I know I cannot change the world, but I’ll be okay with myself if I know I at least influenced one person to positively change their life. My biggest goal in life is to serve as an example to other women like me to start their own business and become independent of the system.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In five years I hope to have a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a focus on Computer Programming, which is my current major. I hope to implement my career into my business in order for it to become self-sufficient. I see myself with a house, and at least one kid. I also plan on having majority of my family working for my business with the compensation they deserve, while the business also expands and becomes international. The next five years shall be the foundation for a lifetime of success and blessings for not only me, but for those around me, and for those who look up to me.

What do you bring to the world?

A different perspective in all aspects of discussion. In every conversation, I will be the person to look for a different perspective to discuss. I try to put myself in everyone’s shoes in order to understand the way human interaction works. With that being said, I feel like I bring neutrality and peace to the world by not being indifferent to others’ situations. I am able to teach others how to not be judgemental by showing them how to challenge their perspectives in order to understand and empower everyone. I am that one person in the group who makes people think about uncomfortable subjects, but that is also necessary.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?  

That barriers in life are only as big as you make them. I see myself in every Dominican little girl coming into this country with nothing but dreams. I want to pave the way that will show them they’re unstoppable; I want them to know that a language barrier does not stop you from accomplishing anything, and that it will only fuel their goals. I want every struggle I have experienced to serve as example so that nobody else has to experience them. My legacy will be an example of resilience and perseverance, demonstrating that anything you want you can have!