Luisa Diaz Brown, a passionate advocate for the “Kindness is Cool” movement, has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on individuals and communities. Originally from Venezuela, Luisa faced one of her greatest challenges when she moved to the United States 30 years ago without knowing English. Despite the language barrier, she successfully balanced the demands of learning English while attending college, ultimately earning a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Luisa describes this period as one of the toughest challenges she has ever faced. Today, she is a proud U.S. citizen.
After completing her studies, Luisa relocated to North Carolina, where she launched “Luisa Su Voz Latina,” the first and longest-running Spanish-language talk show on an American network (ABC and Warner Brothers). The show was designed to provide valuable information to the Latin community, helping them assimilate into American society. In addition, she directed the Miss North Carolina Latina beauty pageant, creating opportunities and building self-esteem among young Latinas.
Luisa’s journey then led her to Hollywood, where she ventured into acting and appeared in Oscar-winning films such as “The Fighter” and “Silver Linings Playbook.”
In Los Angeles, Luisa founded The Luisa Diaz Foundation, which celebrates kindness by recognizing individuals and organizations making a positive impact in their communities. The foundation’s motto, “Kindness is Cool,” underscores its mission to spread compassion. One of the foundation’s signature events is the MAG Gala (Mi Amor Graciousness Gala), which honors Luisa’s grandmother, a survivor of mental and physical abuse. The gala supports grassroots non-profits and individuals who directly impact the lives of survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
A key highlight of the MAG Gala is “The Runway of Hope“, a unique event that transcends traditional fashion shows by celebrating new beginnings where fashion meets compassion . Survivors of significant challenges, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking, walk the runway as a symbol of their transition from darkness to hope and light. Luisa works closely with these resilient women, helping them recognize their own beauty and worth while boosting their self-esteem.
In 2023, in recognition of her decade-long work with The Luisa Diaz Foundation, the Mayor of New York City declared May 18th as “Kindness is Cool Day.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of the MAG Gala, which originally began in Los Angeles and now takes place in New York City at the iconic Plaza Hotel, with an additional gala held in Houston.
Luisa is also the author of “Sexy Is Timeless: Ten Timeless Sexy Assets That Lie Within You,” a book that redefines what it means to be “sexy” in the new era of women’s empowerment. The book serves as a guide for women to remember their inherent beauty and worth. Luisa’s accolades include being a former Ms. Venezuela International and Mrs. New York International 2019.
