The Cohort Chronicles: Behind Her Face, Her Future with Ashley Esparza

Hada Madrina
Aug 25
2 min read

AI and deepfake technology are changing the way young people experience truth, identity, and trust online. Ahead of our community conversation, we asked our hosts to reflect on what this moment means to them.

Ashley’s First Encounter with AI & Deepfakes

“Deepfakes are a relatively new concept to me. My first encounter was on social media, through silly, what felt like harmless videos of celebrities made for humor.

My first known encounter with AI was also through social media, in the form of face filters. At first, it felt fun and harmless, but I quickly realized how much it could distort reality and how easy it was to blur the line between what is real and what is not.”

Working in the mental health space, Ashley has seen firsthand how these technologies affect youth. “The implications of filtered, altered appearances and their negative impacts on youth mental health and self-esteem are ever-present.”

Why This Matters

for Latina Youth

“For Latina youth, this matters because representation and trust already carry so much weight.

We already have to navigate stereotypes, identity, community pressures, and cultural stigma, so the risks of misinformation or harmful portrayals hit even harder.”

Ashley emphasizes that these technologies don’t exist in a vacuum; they land in communities already navigating complex challenges.

A Marketer’s Perspective with a Mental Health Lens

“As a marketer and someone who cares deeply about guiding the next generation, I see this issue through a protective and empowering lens. It’s about making sure youth are safe, but also giving them the tools to thrive in a digital world. And at the mental health level, we already know Latino youth face disproportionately high rates of anxiety and depression.

Adding on the complexities of our ever-evolving digital world may further exacerbate these issues, creating even more distance between Latino youth and mental health care.”

Hopes for the

Community Conversation

Ashley hopes the upcoming event sparks both awareness and empowerment.

“I hope the local community leaves with a sense of awareness, but also empowerment, that we can talk openly about these challenges and support youth instead of leaving them to figure it out alone.

The digital world will continue to evolve, and we must be willing to learn and grow alongside it.”Just as important, she’s eager to hear from others: “I want to hear how families and young people are already navigating this, including what strategies they’ve found, what fears they carry, and what kind of support they feel they need most.

My hope is Her Face, Her Future is just the start of a continuous conversation for our community.”

Join the Conversation

Join us as we explore these powerful questions together at our upcoming community conversation on AI, deepfakes, and the digital future of our youth. Your voice belongs in this space.

📍 The DoSeum, San Antonio🗓️ Tuesday, September 23🔗 Click here to register

And don’t forget 🎟️ Purse with Purpose Drawing Tickets are now available!

Here’s a sneak peek of our featured local bag 👀.