Today we’d like to introduce you to Ehcrama Marche.
Hi Ehcrama, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I always had a thing for visuals. At the age of seven, I was grabbing my mother’s ancient Samsung flip-phone and creating stop-motion with my Polly Pocket Dolls. I also spent the majority of my childhood outside, but when I got my first webcam, it was over. Day in and day out, I was in front of my webcam making silly commercials, skits and music videos. I would edit the videos all night then show the finishing product to my mom the next day. I spent a few years having fun with that until I couldn’t anymore. I had entered high school and it was time to focus and let go of my “hobby”, but the urge to create followed me through the years. After graduating high school, I immediately attended UC Riverside. I was there sitting in an enormous lecture, the professor was talking about anthropology, and I couldn’t help but to feel like I was in the wrong place. I walked out mid-lecture, drove home, and filled out forms to drop out the following day. I never looked back. Luckily, I had a very supportive mom, she saw the creative drive in me as a child, so she had seen this coming before I did.
I attended Los Angeles Film School, graduated with a Bachelors in the production of Film, and began freelancing alongside my partner Christian Leyva aka LV, who was a major influence in my work. When Covid had hit and everyone was tackling each other for toilet paper, I took the initiative to learn a new skill. I needed to find a new way to continue to create during the pandemic, and from there the creation of Hella Black Mexican began, and I couldn’t have done it without the help and encouragement of LV.
Hella Black Mexican is a cartoon-telenovela animated series of a young girl whose life changes when she realizes she’s black, and yes… I’m talking about myself! I grew up in Montebello, California, which is a predominantly Hispanic area. I never realized how many heads I would turn because I spoke Spanish and I was raised by a single Mexican mother who didn’t know English. I was confused about my identity, I didn’t know if I should identify as Hispanic or black. I felt Mexican more than ever, but I looked hella Black. Although I did struggle here and there, I wouldn’t change anything. I love that I’m now in a position to create content to represent Afro-Latinas like myself.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t exactly say it’s been a smooth road, but I haven’t had any major obstacles to keep me from moving forward. Of course, I’ve had incidents like my equipment being stolen, my desktop shutting off completely, or my hard drives getting ruined, but I don’t let it stop me. I’ve accepted that there will always be struggles, my whole life has been full of them. There’s struggles in relationships, work, family… you name it, but I think of them as stepping stones. I’ve learned so much from all the obstacles I’ve faced, and I’ve always came back stronger, harder and prepared for what’s next, and if I’m being completely transparent, some of the toughest challenges I’ve faced have been mental. It’s very important to take care of your mind, body and soul. It’s important to know that you matter, and it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes, to take care of yourself.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the creator of Hella Black Mexican, an animated cartoon- telenovela series of a young girl whose life changes when she realizes she’s not only Mexican but Black. I’m also a cinematographer and an editor, but I would say that I’m mostly known for being the creator of HBM. I produce, write, animate, voice-over and edit every episode. I’m very proud of how far Hella Black Mexican has came, and it’s only been a little over a year. I’m grateful to be able to share my stories and create content that represents Afro-Latinos! Growing up, I had never seen content that represented me, I rarely saw a black girl as a lead role, let alone a black girl who was also a Latina. I felt out of place at times, like I didn’t belong, and I couldn’t really talk about my struggles of being a Black Latina to my mother or my brother because they wouldn’t understand. They wouldn’t know what it feels like to be Black or to feel out of place being raised in a predominantly Hispanic area where no one looks like you. So I’m very proud to create relatable content for that little girl or little boy that struggles with their identity, you’re not alone.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is happiness, health and of course financial freedom. Success to me is being able to help others with opportunities that can change their life.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @hellablackmexican
- Youtube: YouTube.com/hellablackmexican
Image Credits:
Christian Leyva aka LV
