Meet Toni Barajas | Community Mentor and Model

We had the good fortune of connecting with Toni Barajas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Toni, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
BE YOU, is the most important thing to remember as you grow in your personal or professional life and BALANCE is critical. As I have grown up in my community’s public eye I have had the opportunity to learn what is important to me. In my 10 years in the community, I learned what I love most happened to be inspiring others to understand that no matter how big or small a struggle seems a solution is never impossible and each battle provides you with new lessons about yourself. I have also learned the importance of balancing your priorities and to me, mental health has been the most important. Being a student and now a College student at Roger Williams University with a double Major in Legal Studies and Political Science while also facing some of the hardest events in my life I learned to understand it’s okay to take a break from people and social events was okay. Since I believe you are only at your best when you are mentally present.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

As a Double major at Roger Williams University in Legal Studies and Political Science, I am excited to learn more about law as when I am done with my academic career I plan to be an Immigration Lawyer. With almost two years of experience in this field, I knew this was how I wanted to help more people. While also starting my own Fashion Show, which will be held this November 16th,2023. Celebrating the growth of the Fashion Community thus the name “The Evolution Of…” This is not always easy as they are both completely different worlds however it is all about balance. They are both worlds I enjoy dearly and all make up who I am as a person. Along the way, the hardest thing for me has been being born in Reno, Nevada then moving to Providence, Rhode Island, and having a sense of confusion about where I belong. However, after meeting people and learning who I am I learned you are what you define yourself as and you bring yourself to each environment and never let the environment make you. You must be a sponge and absorb everything and then pick and choose what you want to keep and let go of. 

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I’d definitely take them somewhere to eat because if you know me you know I love eating and trying new food, so some of those places would definitely be Federal Hill and Thayer Street. So, they are able to see the sense of community here in Rhode Island. I also would bring them to check out some of the events held here from Poetry nights or a fashion show. Lastly, I would definitely take them to Brunch on Sunday since many places in RI hold the best brunch full of the best food, drinks, and music. 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I would like to dedicate my shoutout to Yinelly Ramos, Jessica Zapata, Milary Tavarez, and Jose Ariel Diaz (Make sure to go meet and learn a little about him under local stories). I have known them for most of my life and growing up alongside them has been the best thing I could ever ask for. They have all individually taught me different things about life. Yinelly taught me the importance of understanding your mental health, Jessica the importance of remaining yourself and loving who you are, Milary remaining young and focused in school, Jose Ariel Diaz how to navigate life and do everything to the best of your abilities and so much more. All while always making me laugh and giving me advice every step of the way. My biggest supporters have truly become family and a lot of who I am is because of them and forever grateful for them. I LOVE YOU ALL!

Instagram: @tonibarajas

Image Credits
@xdelbreyphotography @mduranstudio @101w.josearieldiaz @josearieldiaz