Modern Day Heroes: A Fireside Chat on Legacy, Leadership, and Hispanic Heritage-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The conversation was a fireside chat celebrating Hispanic Heritage, legacy leadership, and modern-day heroes. Nicole Blackwell introduced Serena Laura Davidson, a proud UNT alumna and leader in advancement and community work, to discuss her mother’s legacy and the importance of representation.<br /><br />Serena shared how growing up in El Paso shaped her worldview, especially seeing the border community’s mix of cultures, opportunities, and challenges. She described her mother’s work supporting Latino entrepreneurs through resource centers that helped with business formation, capital access, and advocacy. Her mother’s mission was to help families build stable lives, and Serena emphasized that this community-focused mindset continues to guide her.<br /><br />She also spoke about the significance of UNT as a Hispanic Serving Institution, saying representation and belonging were key reasons she chose the university. Serena explained that her current work reinforces the responsibility to create opportunities for others, especially young girls and students of color.<br /><br />Her mother’s advice—to remain humble, be kind, ask for help, and always show up—remains central to how she lives and leads. Serena closed by encouraging others to start small, stay authentic, and use consistency and kindness to make a lasting impact.

Keywords

Hispanic Heritage

legacy leadership

representation

El Paso

Latino entrepreneurs

Hispanic Serving Institution

community impact