Background & Upbringing
Isabela was born in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood to Cuban immigrant parents who arrived in Florida during the Mariel boatlift. Growing up in a bilingual household, she learned the importance of preserving cultural traditions, from family recipes to holiday gatherings around lively salsa music.
Education
After excelling at a charter high school with a strong arts program, Isabela studied Journalism at Florida International University. She later pursued an MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Miami, where she honed her storytelling skills.
Professional Background
Isabela began her career as a local columnist, writing about cultural festivals and Hispanic heritage in South Florida. She then moved into publishing short fiction, weaving tales inspired by her grandmother’s folklore. Her work often explores themes of diaspora, identity, and intergenerational bonds.
Places Lived
Primarily rooted in Miami, Isabela has spent time in New York City for internships at Spanish-language media outlets, but always returns to the sun and vibrancy of South Florida.
Influences
She credits the magical realism of Gabriel García Márquez and the Miami-inspired poetry of Richard Blanco for shaping her style. A lover of salsa and reggaetón, Isabela believes in the unifying force of music. Her approach to romance and sophistication seamlessly fuses the warmth of Cuban hospitality with a modern, cosmopolitan worldview.
