We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Canela Una Acosta Eatman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Canela Una below.
Canela Una, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Attending Hampton University and speaking to others about my experience, I began to realize people were interested in HBCUs but weren’t sure of how to navigate the journey of identifying the best fit HBCU and matriculating. Additionally, some questioned the quality of education and compared HBCUs to Traditionally White Institutions (TWIs), positing HBCUs were antiquated. After graduating from Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Morgan State University I continued to discern and dispel misnomers for non-attendees. As an AfroBoricua, my social circles often include persons from Latin America, and they were also interested in learning more about HBCUs.
I understood I was in a particularly unique position, as an alumna of 3 HBCUs and a Doctor of Education, it seemed only logical to combine two things I love, the African Diaspora and HBCUs.
I named my organization HBCU Pa’lante because the word “pa’lante” is a Caribbean-Spanish phrase joining the preposition para, often meaning “for,” and adelante, an adverb meaning “forward.” It’s used to indicate concepts such as encouragement, enthusiasm, resolve, and progress. And that’s precisely what I want to see my people do– progress with enthusiasm and resolve, as I encourage them.
Hola Coquito was established during HBCU homecoming season 2020. I typically share a piece of my culture through a familial blend of spirits but Covid-19 put that to a screeching halt, however, the demand remained. And I spoke to it! As a lighthearted homage to my favorite rapper Jay-Z, I named the company Hola Coquito after his track Hola’ Hovito on the 2001, The Blueprint album.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a 3x HBCU grad, I choose to underscore the diverseness of the Black experience not solely for edification, but celebration! As the CEO & Founder of HBCU Pa’lante as well as Hola Coquito, I created them to honor HBCUs, AfroLatin culture, and kinship. Through a course created especially for students in areas without HBCUs, HBCU Pa’lante supports and connects students of the African Diaspora to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, enabling them to better understand educational and cultural experiences, ultimately, selecting the best HBCU for them. While Hola Coquito leans into the celebration of Latin culture through a familial blend of spirits. Hola Coquito was born in Brooklyn like me where I was raised by my Abuelita who instilled the traditions she learned as an adolescent in Patillas, Puerto Rico. One of those traditions was making coquito. Coquito or “Little Coconut” is a traditional Christmas drink that originated in Puerto Rico. I often brought a bottle to share with her HBCU family during homecoming season. When the pandemic arrived and halted homecoming festivities, it didn’t stop the coquito requests– from then, Hola Coquito was established, offering your favorite Puerto Rican tradition year-round in the form of vegan drinks, freeze pops, and lollipops.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
At 18 years old, I was a freshman at Hampton University and was nearly overwhelmed by the entrepreneurial spirit running rampant on campus. There were students that earned money by customizing t-shirts, hairstylists, throwing parties, delivering goods, barbering, amongst a number of other entrepreneurial endeavors. I remember thinking to myself, it’s pretty dope that they have the talent and/or means to earn money without the help of a major corporation. I was under the impression that starting a business was too difficult to do alone. I didn’t think any of my talents had the potential to be a business in and of itself.
However, the more I talked to people and inquired about their steps to success, I gained knowledge which blossomed into confidence. It was the difference between solely relying on word of mouth and creating a website– a website meant it was public and I could no longer hide my entrepreneurial journey. By utilizing both formal and informal knowledge, I am able to fuse the two, to grow my businesses.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I began the process to become a doctor in 2005. I graduated in 2017. In between those years I experienced homelessness, laying family members to rest, three invasive surgeries in 2017 alone, numerous employment mismatches, and professors doubting my ability to complete the program. I persisted. I ignored those that scoffed at my idea of becoming a doctor and the others that guffawed as the calendar pages turned, I knew I couldn’t quit. It became my duty to prove the nay sayers wrong because of what my Ancestors endured. It also became my responsibility to be an example for other Black children. I am thankful for my resilience, resolve, and faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: HBCUPalante.com HolaCoquito.com
- Instagram: @HBCUPalante @Hola.Coquito
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/unaeatman/