To mark Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 - PennLive is showcasing residents from central Pennsylvania who represent the thriving and dynamic Latino community in the region.
Educators, elected officials, social advocates, business entrepreneurs, artists and writers, the men and women featured, embody the contributions of Latinos and the cultural legacy that informs their work and identity.
Our series of profiles, concluding with this installment, represents just a sliver of the myriad strands that make up the fabric of Latino community and its contribution to Pennsylvania. She has a BA from the State University of New York at New Paltz College and a master’s in education from Long Island University. Cepeda-Freytiz worked as a bilingual guidance counselor and program director in New York City before moving to Reading and opening a restaurant, Mi Casa Su Casa Café. She has won many civic awards including businessperson of the year in 2011 from the Latino Chamber of Commerce.
Being a Latina has influence me to be a very warm, giving, community oriented and community mindful human being. My culture has played a major role in how I choose to live my life and work. I love what I do therefore I don’t call it work, it’s just my life and I am grateful to be a proud Latina woman.