Full name: Barbara Milagros Casanova
Hispanic Heritage: 1st generation Cuban American born in Miami, Florida
Residence: Miami, Florida
Profession: I am a political consultant and activist.
.
LTM: Tell us about what you do for a living and how you got into it.
I grew up in a very political family. I moved to D.C. at a young age because my father was a presidential appointee under President Reagan, and my mother was a Presidential appointee under President Bush Sr. I've spent half my life in D.C. and half my life in Miami, depending on work and family circumstances. My family often jokes that I'm the least Cuban, Cuban you'll ever meet….not true.
When I worked in the non-profit sector, volunteering became a family affair. I grew up learning how to campaign, manage non-profit organizations, and develop grassroots movements. This experience inspired me to study political science and follow in my parents' footsteps. Over the decades, I have worked with various organizations, including trade associations, professional groups, and political organizations. My parents were instrumental in founding the Republican National Hispanic Association (RNHA), and both served as National Chairs at different times. Today, I serve as the National Secretary and 2nd Vice Chair for the RNHA of Florida. The RNHA is dedicated to Hispanic outreach, emphasizing that Republican values align closely with those of the Hispanic community.
When I returned to Miami in 2019, I was shocked by the state of the Republican Party and the level of corruption among some elected officials. Seeing a need for change, I decided to take action. I founded a 501(c)(4) organization and a political committee called Citizens First. Through these initiatives, I register voters, host educational events to inform the community and support conservative citizens who aspire to run for office but lack the necessary resources or experience to do so.
LTM: In your industry, what would you say separates you from your competition?
My motto is "Inspire and Lead." I believe in taking action and don’t wait for permission when something needs to be done and no one is stepping up. When the Miami-Dade GOP informed me that they wouldn’t register voters due to concerns about the liability of being a third-party voter registrar, I took the initiative to create my organization. I began registering voters at churches and gun shows, ensuring that this crucial work was carried out.
In addition, I have a depth of experience and relationships that make me uniquely capable of getting things done. I have a very strong relationship with the Leadership Institute, so much so that they have made me a guest faculty. With their assistance, I have been able to coordinate training on Election Integrity and Get Out the Vote in Miami-Dade County. My Mother was also a journalist with WQBA for many years. As a result, I have connections with many old friends of hers in the media, which have allowed me to have a significant media presence for my projects and those of others that I'm assisting.
LTM: Why do you feel you were nominated?
First, I was so touched by the nomination that I was completely speechless to receive the nomination. I know that my RNHA board and members recognize that I'm constantly working in the field, whether registering voters or working day and night on campaigns. Recently, I organized a three-day training session for our national board and state chairs in D.C. with the Leadership Institute to help us create a strategic plan. Friends call me a pathological volunteer because I don't know how to say no when someone needs me.
LTM: During COVID-19, tell us about your biggest challenge/obstacle and how you overcame it/or are overcoming it.
The biggest challenge was being away from family in Miami. Even though I lived in D.C., the lockdown made the distance seem much farther. The riots and protests in D.C. were so extreme that my hometown was just unrecognizable. I came to Miami for several months since I was working remotely, and during that time, I decided that my priority was to be closer to them. I packed up everything I owned in a U-Haul and left D.C. the day before Biden's Inauguration for the last time.
LTM: Tell us about your biggest achievement in business or personal life and how you achieved it.
It's hard for me to name one thing as my biggest achievement. I've worked with several declining associations and conferences and successfully grew them by over 200%, but these were not my passion. I think I'm most proud of the work we are doing at the RNHA. It's an organization my parents helped found, and it was seriously declining. With the help of my dedicated board members, we're rebuilding and reorganizing. Currently, our leadership is deeply involved in Hispanic outreach for Trump through the Latino Americans for Trump. There still is a lot of work yet to be done. In the next five years, I believe the RNHA will be back to its former glory as the largest conservative Hispanic organization in the U.S. and hopefully a place as the go-to Hispanic organization for the Republican National Committee.
LTM: What is next for you? What can people expect to see from you?
After the 2024 election, I plan to continue working with the RNHA and Citizens First on Hispanic outreach and educating voters. The work doesn't stop just because there isn't an election looming. I've been asked to write a book, which I've started to tell my family story, the role they played in starting the Republican Party in Miami, and explain how Hispanic values Conservative values are. I hope to have that done in the next couple of months.
LTM: What does being a U.S. Citizen mean to you?
Being an American means everything because I know my parents' sacrifices to become citizens and bring our family here. The US was our savior from communism. It welcomed us with open arms and gave us opportunities to fulfill the American Dream. I am proud of my heritage, but I'm an American 1st. I'm the first generation born in the U.S. My parents made sure every day that this was a blessing that should not be squandered. That's probably one of the reasons I'm so passionate about making sure that citizens vote and that everyone has the opportunity to be part of our electoral system.
LTM: What is your opinion of the state of affairs in our nation? And what role do you see Hispanics/Latinos playing in the future of our nation?
I think the country is in crisis, and I'm afraid that regardless of the outcome in November, we are going to continue to see divisions. I feel the American Dream is in jeopardy for the first time. With the current state of immigration, inflation, and safety, it's tough for a lower- or middle-class family to get ahead, regardless of how hard they work. Even I have seen my savings depleting slowly, and it concerns me greatly.
Hispanics are the largest minority, and I see more and more Hispanics transitioning to the Republican Party. The most important thing is that regardless of what direction someone leans, we all have to vote. It's a privilege to be able to vote, and we can't throw away our voice.
LTM: What is the best lesson that you have learned in leadership, and how has it helped your career?
As I mentioned before, I'm action-oriented. In almost all my positions, I see a need, I draft a proposal, I say I can do this, and usually, I'm promoted to manage the project. If I don't know how to do something, I always say yes and figure it out later.
LTM: What is your comida Latina favorita?
It's not a Cuban dish, but my Mother and I loved to go out for Mondongo. For those who aren't familiar with this, it's tripe. It's my absolute favorite comfort food, reminding me of my mother. Growing up in D.C., I didn't have Cuban food every day, so food seriously impacted my family memories when we came to Miami.
Comments