Familia…

I was a jíbaro before it trended.
Before straw hats hit the Coliseo.
Before Benito sang “no me quiero ir de aquí.”
I carried that title with pride “Urban Jibaro” because…

Mama taught me that our stories matter.

What we’re witnessing with Bad Bunny’s residency is deeper than music.

It’s a cultural reckoning.

It’s proof that when we lead with who we are, the world doesn’t just listen…they show up.

Benito is showing up…

Thirty shows.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Millions of eyes on the island.

And at the center of it all?

Us.

Our accent. Our rhythm. Our struggle. Our joy.

Puerto Ricans have so much to offer the world:

• A creative fire that lights up every blackout

• A hospitality that feels like home… everytime.

• A flavor, a swag, a resilience you can’t replicate

• A spiritual connection to land & ancestors that hurricanes and floods could not wash away.

This Bad Bunny residency is a once-in-a-generation spotlight.
But what comes next is up to us.

Cultivators, this is your window.

Start the brand.
Document the culture.
Build the platform.
Show the world what it really means to be Boricua.

We don’t need to chase trends when we are the trend.
And now, it’s time to turn that energy into legacy.

Seguimos,
—George

Here are 5 impactful things creators in Puerto Rico can do right now to make a real difference on the island.

There are so many great creators doing this already… folks like Bianca Granlau, Rebecca Gitana, Señor Edison, DeffNotAnt, Jasmine Ruiz just to name a few.

Bad Bunny is currently in Puerto Rico for his "No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí" (I Don't Want to Leave Here) residency, a massive series of 30 concerts running from July 11 to September 14, 2025, at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan.

Here's some quick context of what he's doing, in case you dont know

• Celebrating Puerto Rican Identity: The residency is deeply rooted in his latest album, "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" (I Should Have Taken More Photos), which is a love letter to Puerto Rico. The shows incorporate Puerto Rican folklore, music genres (like bomba and plena), and cultural symbols.

• Making a Political Statement: Bad Bunny is using his platform to address critical issues facing Puerto Rico, including gentrification, colonialism, economic uncertainty, and displacement. The residency's title itself is a lyric from his song "El Apagón," which critiques the privatization of power grids and other problems on the island. He frequently highlights these issues during his performances.

• Prioritizing Locals: The first nine shows of the residency (July 11-27) were exclusively for Puerto Rican residents, emphasizing his commitment to his homeland and people.

• Boosting the Local Economy: The residency is projected to have a significant economic impact, potentially generating over $200 million for the island, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, and creating thousands of jobs. Hotels are booked, and local businesses are experiencing a boom.

• Immersive Experience: The concerts are highly theatrical, with elaborate stage designs, including a replica of a humble Puerto Rican house and a flourishing flamboyán tree, and featuring local musicians and performers.

• Guest Appearances: He's been bringing out other artists to perform with him, adding to the excitement and showcasing the breadth of Puerto Rican talent.

In essence, Bad Bunny's residency is more than just a concert series; it's a cultural, social, and economic phenomenon that solidifies his bond with Puerto Rico and shines a global spotlight on its struggles and resilience.

Here is what we can do to focus on this moment for the culture.

1. Document the Culture, Not Just the Concerts
Use this moment to highlight everyday life in Puerto Rico—local businesses, family traditions, street food, spiritual practices, and unsung heroes. Share your version of the island that visitors won’t see on travel blogs.

Example…

2. Collaborate with Local Artisans and Vendors
Instead of ordering merch or props online, work with local designers, seamstresses, chefs, photographers, and visual artists. Boost their visibility by tagging, crediting, and co-creating products and content that celebrate Puerto Rican identity.

Example…

3. Host Community Meetups or Workshops
Organize storytelling circles, creator collabs, or skill-sharing events in your town. Use public spaces, cafés, or colmados. Even 5-10 people coming together in person to create and connect can plant seeds for a lasting movement.

Example…

4. Launch a Visibility Campaign Around a Local Issue
Pick an issue you care about—housing, environmental justice, language preservation—and use your platform to educate, inspire, and mobilize your audience. Bring in elders, experts, and activists to tell their side.

Example…

5. Create Bilingual or Spanglish Content for the Diaspora
Bridge the gap between Boricuas on the island and those who had to leave. Share cultural insights, memories, and reflections that help others reconnect with their roots—through TikToks, newsletters, podcasts, or even Threads.

Example…

Start small. Stay grounded.
You don’t need a brand deal or a million followers to make an impact.
You just need intention and action.

Note… one of the first Creator Spotlights was my friend Julio Ricardo Varela, who was a big inspiration for me starting this newsletter… Today we feature what that inspiration looks like in action.

The Latino Newsletter is an independent nonprofit journalism outlet founded by Julio Ricardo Varela, award-winning journalist and founder of the breakthrough digital news site Latino Rebels. It is a daily offering that will publish stories and audio podcasts through a clear Latino lens. Access to the site and its stories is free, and besides sharing work through its growing subscriber list, The Latino Newsletter also distributes across several social media channels.

In January of 2024, Pew Research published new data about eligible Latino voters in the United States. In 2022, it also published a comprehensive data analysis of Latinos, political parties and the issues the community cares most about. The findings show an electorate that is still evolving and trying to figure itself out. They challenged several assumptions about party identification and partisanship.

The lesson from the data is clear—generalizations about the U.S. Latino community and their political leanings are shifting. We are currently in a time of flux and new possibilities. With an information void clearly happening, there is an opportunity.

The community must own and drive the narrative. We cannot let non-Latino outlets and voices be the sole “experts” of how the U.S. views us. That is already happening and will only continue. The latest 2024 presidential election coverage shows that. We need to create more lanes for our community.

All reporting and commentary must be of the highest quality. It needs to be premium. There must be diversity of voice and opinion. Our stories can be syndicated to other outlets that want to feature our community.

source: The Latino Newsletter

Most of our features come from creators I come across on my timeline daily—but I know YOU are connected to some amazing talent I may not have discovered yet. That’s why I’m opening up the floor…

Are you or do you know a creator who deserves to be featured?

We’re looking for creators, entrepreneurs, and artists who are making waves and have a story to tell. Whether you’re building a brand, leading a movement, or creating game-changing content, we want to highlight your journey!

📩 Send your submissions to [email protected]

You’re running a business with the heart of a team ten times your size—but let’s be real: marketing is overwhelming. Creating content. Managing socials. Understanding customer data. Sending emails. Testing what works. Doing it all again tomorrow.

That’s where AI steps in.

This isn’t hype. It’s help.

Imagine cutting your blog writing time from hours to minutes. Imagine personalized email campaigns that run themselves, social posts that schedule and adjust for you, and customer insights that used to require a whole marketing department.

We built this product for you—the scrappy, brilliant, over-caffeinated small business owner doing it all. It's everything you need to compete with the big guys… without burning out.

✅ Write smarter, not harder
✅ Post consistently, without guesswork
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✅ Turn browsers into buyers—automatically

You don’t need a bigger team.
You need the right tools working with you.

Let AI do the heavy lifting so you can get back to what you do best—building something great.

TRY IT FREE FOR A WEEK

GET YOUR OWN STORE FRONT TO MONETIZE YOUR BRAND

Stan Store is perfect for creators, coaches, and service-based entrepreneurs who want a simple, all-in-one storefront to sell digital products, book calls, and grow their audience—without needing a full website. If you're tired of juggling platforms and want to start earning directly from your content, Stan makes it easy to get started fast. You can launch offers, track performance, and connect with your community—all from one link in bio. No tech headaches. No monthly overwhelm. Just a clean, powerful way to monetize your ideas.

CALL FOR SPEAKERS!

The Latinas in Podcasting (LIP) Virtual Summit is calling in bold, brilliant podcasting professionals who are ready to show up, stand out, and speak directly to a growing wave of Latina creatives craving real strategy, support, and substance—not more podcast-bro BS.

The LIP Virtual Summit is a two-day, high-impact event where emerging podcasters learn how to create shows they’re proud of and equip them with the techniques and support to keep them going. Our audience isn’t here for theories about podcasting or fluffy non-actionable info. They want simple, powerful tactics (not just “strategy”) to take their podcast from a dream to a sustainable, thriving part of their lives and work.

Or, they’re ready to get to the next level. You can take them there!

Podcasting, like many other creative genres, has a bit of a gatekeeping problem. At LIP, we believe podcasting knowledge shouldn’t be hoarded. We’re here to share what we know, because success should be encouraged, shared, and celebrated!

Here’s a little welcome video that will walk you through this page and the application. There are time stamps that correspond to each of the sections, if you need to jump to a particular one:

Siembra Connect is proud to support the 2025 Latinas in Podcasting Virtual Summit

Here are some other power conferences and gatherings you should check out.

📺 Creator Economy Live East (NYC In‑Person)

What it is: Two days (August 5–6, 2025) at NYC’s Marriott Marquis packed with influencer-marketing keynotes, panels, and ROI-focused networking.

Why it matters: Ideal for forging brand/creator partnerships and gaining cutting-edge campaign insights in a major media hub.

🔗 Learn More: https://www.creatoreconomylive.com/

🎬 Content Entrepreneur Expo (CEX)

What it is: In-person conference August 24–26, 2025 with keynotes, workshops, and panels for serious bloggers, podcasters, and freelance creators.

Why it matters: Focused on scaling content-based businesses—perfect for creators aiming for sustainable income and collaboration.

🔗 Learn More: https://cex.events/

🤝 TwitchCon North America (San Diego)

What it is: October 17–19, 2025 in San Diego—Twitch’s in-person industry celebration with community panels, esports, and networking content.

Why it matters: Great for livestream creators, especially focusing on engagement strategies and brand integrations in esports and entertainment.

🔗 Learn More: https://www.twitchcon.com/

🎤 CreatorConf (Virtual Creator Summit)

What it is: A two‑day virtual event (December 13–14, 2025) featuring 30+ focused talks, panels, and Q&As with top creators on content strategy, audience scaling, and monetization.

Why it matters: Learn from creators who have built large, engaged audiences—perfect for creators seeking growth tactics without travel.

🔗 Learn More: https://creatorconf.com/

Hosting or attending an event I should know about?
I love spotlighting gatherings that help creators grow.

📩 Submit your event: https://siembraconnect.beehiiv.com/contact

Want more updates like this?

📬 Subscribe to the Siembra Connect Newsletter to stay in the loop with creator-focused happenings around the world.
📩 Submit your event: https://siembraconnect.beehiiv.com/contact

Hosting or attending an event I should know about?
I love spotlighting gatherings that help creators grow.

📩 Submit your event: https://siembraconnect.beehiiv.com/contact

Want more updates like this?

📬 Subscribe to the Siembra Connect Newsletter to stay in the loop with creator-focused happenings around the world.

🧠 Mental Health & Creator Mindset

Influencer Burnout is on the Rise, Highlighting Mental Health Struggles

Summary: A recent report indicates that influencer burnout is a growing concern, with many creators battling stress, creative fatigue, and emotional numbness due to constant pressure, the need to perform for algorithms, and financial insecurity.

Why it matters: This is a critical reminder to prioritize your mental well-being. Recognize the signs of burnout, set boundaries with your content creation, and seek support if needed. Your longevity in the creator economy depends on sustainable practices.

SXSW 2025 Panel Addresses "Creators for Mental Health"

Summary: SXSW 2025 featured a panel titled "Creators for Mental Health: Building Wellness in the Digital Age," discussing unique mental health challenges faced by creators and exploring actionable strategies and community-driven wellness practices.

Why it matters: The increasing discussion around creator mental health at major industry events signals a growing recognition of the issue. Look for resources and communities that offer support and strategies for maintaining well-being in a demanding field.