Keeping Mexican roots close through travel, family, and community
This is Part 3, the final part of a multi-part series about Stacey Robles, the Inclusive Talent Program Manager for the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Stacey Robles grew up in the Midwest but stays connected to her Mexican roots by celebrating her culture through travel, family connections, and community.
Stacey was born in Chicago and moved to Des Moines in third grade. Growing up, she struggled with her identity, going through various stages. “I was trying to fit into different identities, but never really accepting my own,” she said. She has learned to embrace herself through the years and feels confident owning her identity.
As a Mexican-American, Stacey feels deeply about her Mexican heritage. For her it’s not just about where she came from, but about the sacrifices her family made in search of a better future. “Being Mexican means staying connected to my cultural roots, while also embracing the life I’ve built here in Iowa,” explained Stacey, “Our culture is vibrant and rich, with many stories to tell. It’s a culture rooted in resilience, strength, and a deep sense of community. Being Mexican is about perseverance and passion, the drive to constantly improve ourselves while staying true to the values that ground us. Knowing that our culture, family, and history are treasures that shape who we are and guide us through life.”
Travel has great meaning for Stacey and her family. While her grandparents were living, her family visited Mexico as often as possible. More recently, Stacey’s trips to Mexico have included attending a concert and visiting historic sites with her family and friends. During a recent trip to Mexico City with her younger sister, Stacey took time to sightsee, visiting a library, a historical museum, various neighborhoods, a castle, and plenty of restaurants, food stands, and markets. “Mexico City is so full of life and diversity that we made sure to get up early and stay out late, soaking in as much as we could,” said Stacey.
She visited places she knew were important to her parents and grandparents. The most meaningful stop for her was the Basílica de Santa María de Guadalupe. Faith was essential to her grandparents, and Stacey felt very special to visit the Basílica knowing her grandparents had been there too. “Their faith and devotion to La Virgen de Guadalupe were such big parts of their life, and being in that space brought all those memories and stories to life,” Stacey recalled.
The archaeological museum, Museo Nacional de Antropologia, was at the top of her must-see list while in Mexico City. This historical museum was a place her mother had always wanted to visit. Stacey took many photos and shared them with her immediately to make her feel part of the experience.
Stacey has always loved school and the structure it provides. She wants to pursue a PhD someday but hasn’t decided on a focus yet. She has tossed around the idea of earning a degree from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. This dream comes from her mother, who could not finish college for financial reasons. Stacey feels studying there would help her build her professional vocabulary in her native language and connect her to her culture.
Stacey’s struggles with her identity as a young person made her who she is today. “My advice to other Latinas is to fully embrace your identity, it’s what makes you unique and is one of your greatest strengths,” she explained, “Surround yourself with people who not only uplift and inspire you but also challenge your thinking and help you see things from new perspectives. Don’t hesitate to seek out mentors who are different from you. Pay it forward by mentoring younger Latinas and sharing your experiences. Let them learn from your journey, including your mistakes. Most importantly, be proud of the path you are creating for yourself and the generations that will follow.”
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