“My identity may never fit neatly into one box, but I have realized that I don’t have to choose which box I fit into. I can be both.”

Cariana Morales, MBA ’25, grew up in a mixed-race household within a predominantly white neighborhood. Despite being half Puerto Rican, she admits that she felt “virtually no exposure” to her Hispanic heritage throughout her childhood. In 2017, that all changed after she watched the events of Hurricane Maria unfold. 

“I watched the devastation on TV and suddenly heard my father talking about family members that I had never met,” says Morales. “I knew I was Puerto Rican by heritage but felt so far from the reality of the island.”

That epiphany drove Morales to make a commitment to herself: to understand and connect with the Hispanic half of her identity. The start of her self-discovery journey brought her to Puerto Rico for the first time in 2021. “[When I stepped out of the airport], I felt that I had instantly bridged the invisible gap that existed between me and those who came before me. I was standing on the same soil that many before me called home.” 

Since then, Morales has continued to learn more about her Hispanic identity. She’s taken up Spanish classes, and even lived in Puerto Rico for short stints in order to fully immerse herself in the culture of her people. What’s been most impactful though, has been finding community amongst others who are also connected to their Hispanic heritage.

“Community building has been key to leaning into my Hispanic identity,” shares Morales. At Stanford GSB, Morales found that community in the Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA), where she is now part of the leadership team. “HBSA was actually one of the first communities that has embraced my interracial identity with open arms, and the people in this organization have been a huge part of my journey.” 

For others who are on a similar identity-discovery journey, Morales actively encourages them to explore that curiosity. “Pick up a book about your country of origin, make a friend who is connected to your culture of interest, or buy a plane ticket to that faraway place. You will not regret it.”

#HispanicHeritageMonth