Hola, Hola, I'm Janny Perez, and it's a pleasure to meet you. You might be wondering about my qualifications as a bilingual parenting educator. While I'm not a certified Spanish teacher, language specialist, or speech pathologist, I bring a wealth of real-world experience and passion to the table.
That's me, with a paleta in my mouth with my familia.I was born in Colombia, but my family immigrated to the U.S. when I was a baby, and we settled in Miami. Our household had a simple yet powerful rule: "en esta casa solo se habla español" (in this house, we only speak Spanish).
At the age of 13, I moved back to Colombia and continued my studies in Spanish until I graduated high school. Talk about culture shock. Growing up in two worlds I embraced my Colombian & American heritage while also developing a deep appreciation for the diverse Latin cultures around me. Speaking Spanish was not just a language; it was an integral part of my daily life.
My journey led me to Chicago, where I pursued a degree in fashion design. This experience exposed me to various cultures, including Polish and Italian communities. I explored vibrant neighborhoods like el Barrio Pilsen and Humboldt Park, savoring delicious dishes like Jibaritos. For the first time, I felt the true essence of being American, celebrating cultural diversity.
My education took me to London, where I had the opportunity to immerse myself in even more cultures and languages. It was during this time that I recognized the immense value of bilingualism. Although I wasn't a language specialist, my linguistic skills became a valuable asset, both personally and professionally.
My journey continued to Florida and eventually New York City, where I spent over two decades refining my expertise in product design, teaching college students, and furthering my career. I embarked on a global adventure, traveling to places like China, where my basic Mandarin skills served me well. I even worked in Mexico seamlessly, thanks to my language adaptability.
I married my Bulgarian husband and in 2015, my life took a remarkable turn when I welcomed my multicultural daughter, Victoria, into the world. This pivotal moment ignited my deep-seated passion for raising her multilingually and celebrating her diverse heritage. Drawing from my own career experiences, where language had propelled me forward, I was determined to equip my daughter with this invaluable tool.
The idea for Mi Legasi was born.
In 2017, I initially launched a subscription box-based business aimed at helping families connect with their culture and raise bilingual Spanish-speaking kids while celebrating motherhood. Although the box venture didn't go as planned, it marked the beginning of my empowering journey in the global Latina mom and family community.
With over five years of hosting a top global podcast, "The Latina Mom Legacy," interviewing moms raising bilingual kids, collaborating with language experts, authoring a bilingual parenting book, and creating a comprehensive bilingual parenting course, I'm excited to share my knowledge and experience with you. My commitment is to provide guidance and support to fellow parents embarking on this incredible bilingual parenting adventure. Together, we'll celebrate our rich cultural heritage and nurture confident, multilingual children to give them and our community an opportunity for a better future.
