Vane Peña: A Latinx Trailblazer on TikTok\n\nRounding out our 2021 Latinx Trailblazers list is Vane Peña, known on TikTok as @vanessafpena. Vane is a queer, Venezuelan nonbinary creator who uses their lighthearted humor to entertain their viewers. They love to tell stories to make their fans laugh, and they post relatable content about growing up Latinx. They are all about spreading positivity and encouraging people to always be unapologetically themselves.\n\nBeing part of the Latinx community means honoring my community and spreading the good energy that makes Latinx's stand out. It means telling the stories of the people who helped shape me. My culture has influenced every aspect of my life, from the way I dress to the music I listen to. It has shaped the way I treat people, emphasizing the sense of community and treating everyone like family. My culture has taught me to be selfless, caring, and giving. I love sharing our food, music, and everything that makes me Latinx to bring people together.\n\nOn and off of TikTok, I share my culture by showcasing our dances, music, and telling stories about my home country. I also help my people thrive by sharing our accents, slang, and recipes so that more people can learn about our culture.\n\nThe TikTok community has inspired me to share the little things and realize that there are many people who have shared experiences and love hearing about others'. The supportive and admiring community on TikTok has helped me feel more comfortable sharing the things I'm proud of.\n\nI am most proud of creating a series of "Gender Education" videos where I speak about being nonbinary and navigating my journey of self-discovery. These videos have helped others come to terms with their identity and explore themselves unapologetically. It's especially rewarding when it resonates with people in my community who understand the struggles of being queer and Latinx.\n\nA tip I always give to other creators is to be authentic and true to yourself. It's important to feel comfortable and post what you genuinely want to share. There is a place for everyone on TikTok, so cater to yourself and find your people.\n\nOne Latinx creator that everyone should be following/watching is @manny_delgado. He is incredibly talented and hilarious.