Raquel Manriquez on Culture, Community, and Rediscovering Joy

Send us Fan MailAn unexpected conversation with a Native American who knows how to win people over with a smile. In my conversation with Raquel Manriquez on Seriously Bud, we started with a light-hearted question about swearing. Surprisingly, Raquel didn’t start cursing until she was 38 years old! Raised in a strict evangelical household, where not even “darn” was allowed, swearing was completely foreign to her. She credits her upbringing for her late start with colorful language, but now she embraces it, finding humor in how much her habits have changed.Raquel shared more about her parents’ fascinating backgrounds. Her father, born in Mexico, grew up poor with 13 siblings and lost his father at a young age. Determined to live the American dream, he immigrated to the U.S. in his late teens, learning English on his own. He met Raquel's mother, a Native American woman, in Reno, Nevada, after several encounters, including a memorable game of pool that neither of them knew how to play. They built a life together, raising Raquel and her siblings in a strong, family-oriented household.We then touched on Raquel's family heritage, which is rooted in both her Mexican and Native American backgrounds. As a member of the Walker River Paiute tribe and the Assiniboine Sioux, Raquel has a unique perspective on life within these tribal nations. She explained how tribal nations in the U.S. operate with their own laws, and how she holds a federally recognized tribal ID. Her connection to her culture is deep, and she’s proud of the traditions and values her Native heritage instilled in her.Our conversation also delved into her personal life, particularly her experience with marriage and motherhood. Raquel married her childhood friend at 19 and had her first child at 21. She described her desire to be a young mom and how she wanted her children close in age. Raquel has three children, all of whom she raised with the love and strength she learned from her parents. Despite divorcing in 2020, she speaks with pride about her journey of personal growth and healing, which has helped her rediscover her identity.Lastly, we talked about Raquel’s current role as the Community Manager for Elegant Themes, where she manages the vibrant Divi community. She has a passion for creating events and fostering connections, and while she’s not a fan of virtual events, she’s managed to pivot and help the community thrive online. Raquel also revealed her love for dance, a passion she rekindled in her late 30s after years of focusing on family and work. Now, she’s eager to get back into ballroom dancing, using movement as both an artistic outlet and a source of joy.