“To just be a part of [and] to be recognized as a legitimate part of the Jersey City dining community [is] super special for us.”
“[In Latino culture] they don’t want you to pacar trabajo [or to go through the trouble’], but it’s okay if that’s something that you have a passion for.”
As one of the producers at SMUSH Gallery, Aurelia Luciano brings her love for art and community together, curating spaces that elevate diverse voices.
“Visibility is very important even if it’s Hudson County. Hudson County is primarily a Hispanic/Latino community, but we do like to represent that community in a very positive light and that’s very important to us.”
“I’m just pushing event through event and see[ing] what opportunity comes [because] opportunities just fall at the right moment.”
“We played around with the idea of changing the name [Pompei Pizza], but decided to keep the name because this is a neighborhood… It worked out for the best.”
“[Lotus Thai] is a safe place [where] you can come in and just enjoy yourself and relax.”
“… Her dad actually got in contact with the coach here [at NJCU] and threw me a lifeline and that’s how I ended up here [as Goalkeeper].”
“… This is actually a dream for me to be with my son and my husband while doing the things we love every day [serving Filipino Street Food].”
“Everyone just looks at it like we open and close doors all day. And we do so much more than that, that’s just what the public sees. There’s so much that goes on in the background,” a PATH Train conductor said.
