We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Luisa Diaz. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Luisa below.
Luisa, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We believe kindness is contagious and so we’d love for you to share with us and our audience about the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?
When I first arrived in the United States, I didn’t speak a word of English. I registered at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, eager to start my journey, but I had no idea what I was truly getting into. It was summer, and I enrolled in two classes. I didn’t realize that summer classes would be much faster-paced than regular ones. The first day of class was overwhelming. I was sitting in a math class, and the teacher was speaking, but all I could hear were words I didn’t understand. I saw her lips moving, but I could only catch a few words here and there. My heart sank as I realized just how much I didn’t know—not just the subject, but the language itself.
That was the moment I knew I had to work harder than ever before. I had to learn English while simultaneously trying to understand math, which, for me, was a challenge in itself. I spent hours translating everything in my textbooks, trying to figure out the meaning of the sentences, and slowly piecing together the language. Every day felt like an uphill battle, but I was determined. I could feel the weight of every single word I learned, every sentence I translated, and each concept I grasped. It was exhausting but necessary, and I was resolute.
Then came a day that I will never forget. Dr. Luciano, my math teacher, announced a pop quiz. Although I studied relentlessly, I didn’t know about the quiz beforehand. It was five questions. The math itself, I understood, but I struggled to process the questions in English. I had to translate every word back into Spanish to fully understand what the problem was asking. I took the entire time for just one question. I could have answered the others if I had more time, but I didn’t. When the time was up, Dr. Luciano called for the quizzes. I hadn’t finished. I was devastated.
After class, I walked outside, feeling defeated. It felt like my entire world was collapsing around me. I didn’t know if I could keep going. Maybe I should just quit, I thought. But then something extraordinary happened. Dr. Luciano came outside and approached me. “Are you okay?” she asked. I couldn’t speak. I was crying too hard. She didn’t say anything else—she just opened her arms and gave me the most comforting hug. In that moment, I felt like someone understood. She whispered, “I know you worked so hard. Don’t worry, this is just a quiz.” I couldn’t hold back my tears, and through broken English, I tried to explain, “I worked so hard, and studied so hard, I know the material, I just didn’t have enough time.”
Then, with so much kindness, she shared something I hadn’t known. “Did you know,” she said, “that as an international student, you can take your tests in the international student center? You will have unlimited time to complete them.” I had been taking my tests like everyone else, at a disadvantage because I didn’t speak English. No one had told me about this.
Her words and her embrace meant more to me than she could ever know. In that moment, when I felt so alone, so unsure if I could continue, she showed me kindness in a way I will never forget. She gave me the courage to keep going, and because of her, I didn’t give up. I completed my degree in Business Administration with a concentration in International Marketing—one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The day I graduated was the happiest day of my life, and even now, it remains one of my proudest accomplishments.
It was through that experience, that small yet life-changing act of kindness, that I found my strength to persevere. Dr. Luciano’s empathy helped me to see that no matter how hard it got, I could continue. It also inspired me to create Kindness is Cool, a movement to spread the simple truth that kindness can change lives, just as it changed mine.
Her kindness didn’t just help me finish my degree—it helped me start my career, stay in this country, and find my path.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started with a simple but powerful vision: to create a beautiful event that raised funds for survivors of domestic violence. As someone with a knack for organizing and producing events, I wanted to bring people together for an experience that was not only fun and celebratory but also meaningful and impactful. This vision gave birth to the MAG Gala (Mi Amor Graciousness Gala), a celebration of kindness. What began as a small gathering in a cozy restaurant where tickets were only $30, turned into a great success, where people came together to enjoy themselves while making a difference.
Through my foundation, we provide critical services to survivors of domestic violence, including programs designed to help them regain their confidence and self-esteem. One of the core initiatives I am most proud of is The Runway of Hope. This transformative event allows survivors to walk down a runway, reminding them of their inherent beauty and worth. We dress them in designer clothing, offer professional hair and makeup services, and watch as they transform into confident, radiant individuals. The joy and empowerment they feel are indescribable—it’s a reminder that they are deserving of love, respect, and kindness. Seeing the newfound light in their eyes is truly a fulfilling experience for me.
For over 10 years, we have partnered with Safe Passage Heals, an organization dedicated to supporting domestic violence survivors, and our work together continues to be a cornerstone of the foundation. What sets me apart from others in this space is the strong philosophy behind the work we do and the values we uphold. Our message, “Kindness is Cool,” isn’t just a slogan; it’s a movement. We are more than a foundation—we are a growing community of people who believe in the power of kindness to change lives.
I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished with the foundation, particularly the perseverance and resilience we’ve shown in the face of challenges. One of the things I’m most proud of is how this foundation has grown over the years. What started as an idea has blossomed into a snowball of kindness—a movement that has brought people together from all walks of life. Volunteers, friends, and supporters have come alongside me, believing in the mission from day one. It’s not just about paying people to show up; it’s about people showing up because they genuinely care about the cause. That’s the heart of what makes this foundation so special.
What I want people to know about me and my work is that at the core of everything we do is kindness. It is a value that drives us, from the way we work with survivors to the way we engage with our community. We are more than just an organization; we are a testament to the power of kindness, and I am proud to stand tall and continue building this movement, one act of kindness at a time.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe that my strong sense of values has been key in building my reputation within my market. I bring respect, kindness, and integrity to everything I do. I make sure to always do what I say I’m going to do, and I never make promises I cannot deliver on. As the founder and face of my foundation, I understand the importance of leading with integrity. By staying true to my word and treating others with the same respect I expect, I’ve been able to earn the trust and respect of my community, which has ultimately helped build the reputation of my foundation.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building my social media presence has been rooted in my philosophy and what we stand for, which is Kindness is Cool. I’ve stayed true to this message by ensuring that my posts focus on inspiring, empowering, and motivating others. Every piece of content reflects the mission and purpose of the foundation and the work we do. I’ve been candid about my own story, sharing personal experiences so that people can relate. To be honest, I’ve found that being vulnerable allows people to connect with me on a deeper level. My advice for anyone just starting to build their social media presence is: don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. It’s in those moments that people truly relate to you, and that’s how you begin to build an authentic, engaged audience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luisadiazfoundation.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mag.gala/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miamorgala
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisa-diaz-brown
- Twitter: https://x.com/MiAmorGala
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mag_gala
Image Credits
Sequoyah Daniel Photography
Radomskiy Production
