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

Hi Maya, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I believe becoming a good actress and singer requires training, learning from as many avenues as you can, and above all, dedication. It’s also a big financial investment. Throughout my professional training, I noticed that some students were not able to continue classes because they did not have the financial resources to continue. It made me frustrated because they were so talented and many of them, I looked up to. I felt I had to do something to help them continue their training. So in 2016 (I was 10 years old!) I founded HeARTS of Maya (HOM), a non-profit, 501c3 foundation that provides educational scholarships to youth who want to pursue the arts, specifically music, acting, and/or dancing. To date, HOM has awarded over 35 scholarships to deserving youth in Dallas, TX and Los Angeles, CA, who have a passion for singing, acting and /or dancing. This has been my greatest accomplishment! I just established a Los Angeles chapter to be able to do the same for LA youth. Through this foundation, I hope to not only assist talented youth, but encourage others to “Find the ART in their HeARTS,” because everyone deserves to have a creative outlet. heartsofmaya.org

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
While I love to act and sing, I also have entrepreneurial aspirations as well. Along with my dad, who is a business executive, I hope to start a socially responsible business. I can’t divulge too much details right now, but it will be a healthy food product that takes into consideration the environment and giving back to community efforts. I can’t wait for that! I will be taking a couple of classes this summer to help me better understand the business fundamentals necessary to run a successful business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Monday: Start of the week with a hike at one of LA’s awesome hike trails, like Griffith Trail or Brush Canyon Trail

Tuesday: Spend the day in Malibu soaking up the sun and eating at Malibu Farm

Wednesday: Probably take her to the touristy hot spots (Rodeo, Chinese Theater, Hollywood Sign) and finish off with dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant, Sugar Taco in Sherman Oaks

Thursday: Universal City Walk and Universal Studios! Rides, Food, Shopping!

Friday: We’d have a get-together at my house patio (socially-distanced of course) with Cuban food from my favorite Cuban restaurant, Versailles in Encino. Fiesta!

Saturday: Koreatown! I love, love, love Koreatown. I’m obsessed with K-Pop bands so I’m in heaven there. And sushi like no other!

Sunday: Go to La Plaza de Cultura y Artes. Since I am also half Mexican, I love to go to the museum and see their latest exhibits to learn even more about my culture. We would then spend the day shopping at the mercado and eating at the many Mexican food stands in the Plaza. And dance! they always have music in the street for people to dance.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve been really blessed to have many supporters and mentors along the way, especially my family. Someone who has always inspired me is my grandfather, who passed away three years ago. He was a folk singer when he was young in Mexico. I believe I got my love of music from him. He was also a very humble yet dignified human being. His motto was, “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” I have always kept that in mind with everything I do. He was my biggest fan and I know he is still cheering me on from heaven!

Website: mayadelgado.com

Instagram: @mayasdelgado

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