The Latino Alliance for Literacy Advancement (LALA), formerly known as known as the Latina Alliance for Literacy Advancement, hopes to direct Latinos away from the pitfalls of illiteracy, and guide them toward employability and wellness.
Sometimes called "The Latina Terry McMillan" and "The Godmother of Chica Lit," Alisa Valdes published her first novel, "The Dirty Girls Social Club," over a decade ago, and she hasn't stopped since. Eleven years, 11 novels, four novelitas, three anthologies and one memoir later, Valdes has been published in 11 languages and been named one of the 25 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States by Time Magazine.
Chipotle Mexican Grill, the international restaurant chain which serves up customized burritos and tacos in an assembly line-fashion, launched an initiative meant to give customers a brief, literary experience by printing short stories on its bags and cups. "Cultivating Thoughts" features writers such as Toni Morrison, Sarah Silverman, Jonathan Safran Foer and George Saunder. But noticeably missing from its lineup are Mexican-American and Latin American writers.
Junot Díaz, famed Dominican-American Pulitzer Prize winner, has written short stories and novels, and is best known for his works The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Drown, and This Is How You Lose Her.
