With festive coffees and Mexican braids decorated with colorful ribbons and diverse textures, a group of Latina entrepreneurs raised funds and gifts for families and children affected by immigration raids in Santa Ana.

Clarissa Cordova, owner of Cafe Cordova; Krytal Ramirez and Chelsea, from Trenzas Amigas; and the women behind the La Purisima Naturista store met last Sunday with the purpose of helping their community, which in recent months has been severely impacted by the presence of ICE. The event, called “Coffee and Braids,” held in the parking lot of La Purisima Naturista, is one of several that the businesswomen have been organizing since the raids began in June. With each toy donation, many of the girls present were able to get their hair braided by Trenzas Amigas, a small business created by Krystal Ramirez and her friend Chelsea. “It hurts me and breaks my heart to see our friends and neighbors being taken away. Although I’ve attended protests, I felt I had to do more,” said Ramirez, who grew up in Santa Ana. “Braids are our way of protesting, of resisting, and of showing that we are proud of our culture.” Each event that the entrepreneurs collaborate on aims to provide significant help to the most affected communities. Thanks to their braids, they have been able to support street vendors by buying all their merchandise, as well as distribute bags of food and essential items to neighbors who have been afraid to leave their homes. On Sunday, the two friends attended to dozens of young women who donated gifts and eagerly awaited their turn to have their hair braided. “We created Trenzas Amigas (Friendly Braids) as a movement and a form of protest,” added Ramirez, while braiding a young woman’s hair. “Wearing braids is a way of reminding those who attack our people that we are not going to leave, and that they will not erase our people or our culture.” The braids are inspired by the traditional indigenous hairstyles of Mexico.and in the childhood hairstyles their mothers gave them with touches of glitter and big bows for the businesswomen.

Darlene, who was enjoying a coffee at Cafe Cordova for the first time, said she drove from South Gate to Santa Ana after seeing the event advertised on social media.

“I feel like the raids are increasing again, and it’s important that we demonstrate however we can,” Darlene said, while waiting her turn for her braids. “This way of organizing is very beautiful and effective.”

For Celeste, who is part of the Lucha Santa Ana group, an organization that helps day laborers outside the Home Depot, attending these events is her way of taking care of her mental health. She emphasizes that the battle against ICE has not been easy and has caused trauma to her community and many activists like herself.

“I chose braids because I feel powerful when I wear braids, and I really needed something to keep me grounded,” said Celeste, who spoke about how difficult it is to be present during a raid.

“I appreciate that small businesses and our community are coming together to create safe spaces like this, which is what we need in these times.”

While Trenzas Amigas was collecting toys and money to help vendors, the Cafe Cordova family was raising funds with their new menu of festive drinks to give Christmas trees to families affected by the raids. And La Purisima store was collecting toys for Three Kings Day. Each of them hopes to continue collaborating to help their community.

“These events give us the opportunity to help each other,” said Lidia, who works at the health store that sells vitamins and other natural remedies. “Thank you to everyone who supports us because without your help this wouldn't be possible.”

To help

Follow @cordovacreations, @trenza.amigas, and @lapurisimanaturista on Instagram to learn how you can support their cause and what other events they have planned.

Note produced under the California Local News Fellowship program at the University of Berkeley.