Giovanna Calderon (she/her) is a rising senior at California State University, Los Angeles. Her major is Chicana(o) and Latina(o) Studies with a minor in History.
Currently, she is researching Latinx businesses in Los Angeles in the 1990s to the present. Through oral histories she has gained an insight into ethnic commerce at different scales of operation and learned about the underrepresented Latinx entrepreneurs. Giovanna’s project considers the complex dynamics between brick and mortar and street vendors that use El Mercado to sell products. She uses an intersectionality lens to understand immigration and entrepreneurship. Outside of class, Giovanna volunteers at school and helps students set up cultural events to promote diversity.
After graduating from Cal State L.A., Giovanna plans to attend law school and pursue immigration law. This summer, she will work with Mark C. Suchman on his research considering the legal environments of business activity.