We had the good fortune of connecting with Irene Baeza-Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Irene, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?

When you go to my IG page and take a look you’ll see happening in the Chicano/Latino community. I am very grass roots and go to where most influencers won’t go. Therefore, the social impact I’ve made is non bipoc followers can come to my page and learn about different cultural, theatre, art, food, open MIC, spoken word, attend show and shine events, car hops,  and possibly learn about curanderas while supporting and attending our events. They can attend these happenings while stepping out of their comfort zone.


Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Besides working an 8-5 job, and being part owner of the family aerospace manufacturing business… my happiness is from being the only Grass Roots Chicana Lifestyle Influencer. I am an atypical influencer because I focus on the bipoc brown community , with a focus on my gente… Chicanos. Becoming an influencer wasn’t hard at all because there’s no other Chicana Influencer highlighting and just focusing on the brown community. Our gente (people) are everywhere and proud of what they’re doing. Someone has to go grass roots into the areas that aren’t popular or aren’t scared to go to and highlight in the  brown community. I try to go to many events but there’s just one me. I like to do small Latino/Chicano small business features. I love meeting new people in the spoken word community, writers, poets, arte, photography and enjoy our local lowrider culture….. I’m a homegirl at heart and always will be. I also feature the low rider community that I have always loved.. I try to go to their show and sines, car hops, car shows and pop ups .

Some of my favorite events are by Cultural Coalition, The Sagrado Galeria , Teatron Bravo, Glendale cruise, and the IG pages of poet Luneslola7, Curandera Mi Tierra Healing arts and Sunshine Grey skies.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would tell a visiting friend to attend a cultural event by CulturalcoalitionAZ. I would drive them around the city to check out beautiful murals, such as the ones at Luna Cultura Lab. It’s a beautiful space and hosts monthly events. The building has many beautiful murals surrounding the parking area. I would definitely stop by there to see if there was a public event happening. I would take a guest to eat at Comiendo Con Memo tacos and Fry Bread Fanatics!! . For a good time… I would definitely take them to check out the low riders cruising in old town Glendale and to grab some Ice Cream at Kandie Girlz Social club located right on the stop of where all the low riders are cruising.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I want to dedicate my shout out to all in the Latino/Chicano brown community and small business local community that have supported me since day one!

There are too many artists, creators, crafters, people in the food & snack scene, low rider community, small brick and mortar businesses, spoken word, ancestral scene, & non profits to name. Those in each of the above scenes who have welcomed me and supported my page with positivity know who they are.

Most importantly I want to recognize ALL of my followers that continue to follow my page and give me a chance.
 Lastly I want to say …  VAMONOS … and support your local BIPOC community and ALL in the small business community.

Instagram: Phxlocalista

Image Credits
“Photos by” ….Phxlocalista

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.