Raíces: Luis Contreras and Gisela Bellina

Published September 28, 2022 at 7:16 PM EDT

Luis Contreras, Gisela Bellina and their daughters.

On Main Street in Southside Chattanooga, you’ll find The Local Juicery and Kitchen.

It is one of three local businesses created, owned and operated by Luis Contreras and Gisela Bellina.

He is from Venezuela, she is from Peru - and they with their family have lived in Chattanooga for years.

They are among the voices you will hear from the Latino community in this city on “Scenic Roots” during this Hispanic Heritage Month, in a series of conversations in collaboration with La Paz Chattanooga: a series of conversations we call “Raíces” - or “Roots” in Spanish.
_____

Our thanks to Lily Sanchez at La Paz Chattanooga for bringing us together for these conversations.

Stay tuned for more voices on “Raíces” during this Hispanic Heritage Month on "Scenic Roots."

Related Content

Raíces: Alex Paul Loza, Sara Tolbert and Pablo Mazariegos

Alex Paul Loza is a sculptor, muralist and portrait artist. Sara Tolbert is also a multidisciplinary artist, from murals to tattoos. Pablo Mazariegos is a documentary filmmaker, therapist and counselor. They are among the voices you will hear from the Latino community in this city as part of our conversation series "Raíces" - in collaboration with La Paz Chattanooga.
Raíces: Jaime Kerns and Shadrina Booker

Jaime Kerns is an educator and one of the co-founders of the nonprofit Culture Chatt. Shadrina Booker is chief development and marketing officer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Chattanooga. They are among the voices from the Latino community in this city that we are sharing with you as part of our conversation series "Raíces" - in collaboration with La Paz Chattanooga.
Raíces: A Conversation With Roberto Venegas Of Bliones

Roberto Venegas is the CEO of Bliones, a marketing firm that serves entrepreneurs in the Latino community here in Chattanooga. I spoke with him recently during Hispanic Heritage Month, for our conversation series “Raíces” - in collaboration with La Paz Chattanooga.
Raíces: Jose Otero, Viri Marin and Xavier Cotto

Jose Otero is an educator at The Howard School here in Chattanooga. Viri Marin launched the Chattanooga Community Fridge. Xavier Cotto started XCeed Events, which produces and promotes events to amplify the Latino arts. I spoke with them for our conversation series “Raíces” - or “Roots” in Spanish - in collaboration with La Paz Chattanooga.