Luisa Macer
#HaveYouHerd: On your marks, get set, GO! Today’s #FridayFeature is someone whose work in the community does laps. Luisa Macer is the Community Outreach & Fan Engagement Manager at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. To learn all about her and what she does, keep on reading.
Luisa was born and lived in Mexico City until she moved to the United States at the age of five and has called Indy home ever since. She graduated from IUPUI with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Latino Studies. Currently, Luisa is the Community Outreach & Fan Engagement Manager at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Prior to working with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Luisa’s career has included roles in community outreach and marketing, such as her work with Indy Eleven, the Indy Chamber, and working for the Office of International and Latino Affairs for the Mayor of Indianapolis. Something people may not know about Luisa is that she was named after Lois Lane. Luisa is the formal translation for Lois in Spanish.
We asked Luisa what celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month means to her, and she said, “Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month means recognizing the achievements of our community and embracing the influence we have within American culture. Our community is so much more than our stereotypes; We are hardworking people who are composed of lawyers, doctors, teachers, mothers, fathers, college students, and so much more. This month also serves as an opportunity to make it a point to support small Latinx-owned businesses or even grab a Spanish-language written book and educate yourself on the Hispanic culture and ethnicities.”
When discussing culture, Luisa wanted to share some thoughts on what culture means to her. “Culture is a shared language – no matter what part of the world you are from. In order for an individual to understand and respect other cultures, it's important to examine your own culture and not take it for granted. While it’s easy to spot differences from one person to another, it’s even more meaningful to find similarities within behaviors, beliefs, and values.”
We also asked Luisa if there was anything that she wanted to share with others about her Mexican culture. “Mexican culture is a product of centuries worth of other cultures,” she said. “There is a rich heritage that extends from Indigenous to African populations. It is why Mexico is known for its rich, colorful, and diverse entities. I would highly recommend someone to make a trip to Mexico and soak in the architecture, food, music, and holidays. I am so proud to be Mexican and provide meaningful conversations with those willing to learn more about it. There is so much to be said about ‘breaking bread’ in Mexican families and making way for friendships to rise.”
Currently, Luisa is gearing up for the 2022 season and welcoming race fans back to the track. She is planning some exciting community events with everyone’s favorite Month of May traditions. It’s a lot of work, but we know Luisa can do it.
Luisa is a strong and influential leader who contributes her time to building a more welcoming Indianapolis community, and for that, we thank her. To keep up with Luisa and all the amazing things she does, you can follow her on Facebook (@luisamacer), Twitter (@LuisaMacer), Instagram (@TheMonaLuisa_), and LinkedIn (@LuisaMacer).