A voice reborn on La Raza
Some dreams never die, they simply learn to wait. They rest in silence, like a song playing softly in the background, until life turns the volume back up.
Sometimes, to reach those dreams, you have to cross borders, face fear, and trade a microphone for a mop or a sound booth for store aisles. That was the journey for Wendy Rincón, a Venezuelan journalist and radio host who arrived in the United States searching for safety and a future.
Nine years later, her voice is stronger than ever. Today, listeners know her as «La Chama», the newest voice on La Raza 104.9 FM and 95.1 FM.
A calling found early on
With a degree in social communication, Wendy built a 12-year career in Venezuelan radio, hosting prime-time programming and mastering a variety of broadcast styles.
Her passion for media was sparked by her father, a comedian involved in the industry. But her debut on air was far from easy. After making a mistake during a newscast, a seasoned broadcaster advised her to go "sell potatoes" instead. Wendy made up her mind right then not to let that comment shape her destiny.
A new horizon
Through pure perseverance, Wendy turned that early setback into the starting point of a successful radio career. But in 2016, as political instability, persecution, and severe shortages gripped Venezuela, she was forced to leave behind the country where she had built her life and career. Just two months pregnant with her first child, she and her husband, Ángel, set off for Austin. “We decided to leave the country without looking back,” she recalls. “We came straight to Austin, and we’ve been here ever since.”
After moving to the United States, the former radio host swapped her microphone for a customer service job at a jewelry store. The shifts were brutal, standing on her feet for up to nine hours a day. One afternoon, as she mopped the floor, the weight of it all hit her, and she burst into tears. “I have a degree… What am I doing cleaning floors?” she thought. But then she caught herself: “No, this is just the starting line. Every fresh start looks like this.”
That job wasn't a defeat, it was the first stepping stone to a new life. Wendy used her communication skills to build genuine relationships with customers, eventually producing video content for the store. Her talent quickly caught the attention of others, opening doors for her to produce content for a major supermarket chain in Austin.
Family strength
In the midst of all these changes, her sons, Sebastián and Lucas, were born. Wendy chose to step away from work temporarily to focus on raising them. Motherhood became another masterclass in resilience, particularly after her oldest son was diagnosed with autism.
When her mother arrived from Venezuela, Wendy gained the support and peace of mind she needed to step back into the workforce. That was when she discovered a new path in marketing and content creation. Yet, she never stopped missing the airwaves. “People who work in radio for that many years will always be radio people at heart,” she says.
Own voice
After venturing into podcast production, the opportunity came at La Raza 104.9 FM and 95.1 FM, where she presented herself with a name that reflects her roots: "La Chama," a Venezuelan expression for a young woman. Her accent, far from being a barrier, became her trademark. "That is identity, and we are in a multicultural country," she says.
Now, from the La Raza booth, Wendy feels right at home again. "I'm super happy. I feel right in my element."
Dream come true
Her story proves that dreams can take a pause, but they never disappear. When she thinks back to that woman who cried while mopping the floor of a store, she knows exactly what to tell her: "The moment will come. Have faith. Nine years passed, but it arrived."
Because some voices may remain silent for years, but when they were born to be heard, they always find a way back onto the air.
Read original article: https://holanews.com/una-voz-que-renace-en-la-raza/