Bridging passion with service to community: Erika’s story

This story is part of Esq. Apprentice’s Journeys to Justice series, where Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian women vulnerably share their unique stories and pathways to the law, in their own words. It’s penned by Erika Cardona, who joined Esq. Apprentice in 2022. Interested in sharing your own journey to justice? Send us a note.

I am a daughter of immigrant parents from Nicaragua and El Salvador. I was born in Takoma Park, MD but have lived in Richmond, CA since I was 11 months old. I grew up dancing ballet and falling in love with all types of dance. I played the trumpet in the 8th grade, and now I even own one, thanks to my partner. I also played softball for a few years before realizing I wasn't very good. Volleyball though, I was a star. I played throughout high school on the school team and private club teams. 

While at UC San Diego, I experienced real culture shock. I had grown up surrounded by people from all over the world, while also taking yearly trips to Nicaragua to visit family. This was certainly not the case while in college. I graduated in three years and came right back to the Bay. I then began my professional experience surrounded by the theme "helping people." I used my degree in International Studies and Minor in Spanish Literature to really be able to help and reach the people living in my community. 

“I had grown up surrounded by people from all over the world, while also taking yearly trips to Nicaragua to visit family. This was certainly not the case while in college.”

Since college I have amassed a wide array of professional experience. I started off as a case manager for teen moms in Oakland and Richmond. I became a Certified Medical Interpreter and also started my own event planning business.

I then decided to pursue one of my biggest dreams to live in New York. Living in New York I continued medically interpreting and planning not only weddings but also community events for a non-profit helping girls of color in the Bronx. 

For the last three years now, I've settled at my father's immigration business Centro Latino Cuscatlan, providing a wide range of immigration services at low cost for our community. The one thing I have always been certain about in life is that I want to help people. I have seen both of my parents be completely selfless to help anyone that has asked them. This is also why I value my family a lot. 

“The one thing I have always been certain about in life is that I want to help people.”

The person I admire the most is my mother. She is the true definition of a strong, independent woman. Even though she was a single mother, she put my brother and I through college and always made sure we had everything we needed. To this day, she helps both of us immensely. I truly would not be who I am today without her. 

Also, I love my dogs.

This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Since getting her degree in International Studies, with a minor in Spanish Literature from UC San Diego, Erika has dedicated herself to helping others–particularly those in her own community. She has served as a Case Manager for teen moms in Oakland and Richmond, became a Certified Medical Interpreter, and even started her own event planning business, where she planned weddings and community events for a non-profit serving girls of color in Bronx, New York. For the last three years, Erika has worked for her father's immigration business, Centro Latino Cuscatlan, an organization that provides a wide range of immigration services at low cost for the community. Get in touch with Erika at a.ruiz@esqapprentice.org.