Contributors

In 2019, Roland founded the Southsider brand as a tribute to the culture, resilience, and pride of San Antonio’s Southside community. The brand’s logo was hand-drawn and thoughtfully designed to reflect the area’s history, character, and the experiences that shaped his upbringing.

Following a career in federal government service that included extensive international travel, Roland retired in 2025 and dedicated his efforts to expanding the Southsider brand. His vision is to celebrate the values and identity of the Southside while energizing others to embrace the communities and experiences that shaped them.

In March 2026, Southsider formed a business partnership with the San Antonio Independent School District Foundation and established the “Southsider First Star: The Alamo Scholarship” for underserved students seeking high-demand careers in the trades. The brand’s scholarship program is supported by community-driven boutique sales.

Roland believes that pride in one’s roots, combined with hard work and perseverance, can foster confidence, strengthen community, and inspire future generations. Through the Southsider brand, he seeks to inspire community empowerment and promote the passion of being a Southsider by wearing their heritage with pride everywhere.

Photo credit: Jennifer Lindberg Studio / @jenniferlindbergphotography

Since 2019, Ascend NBS® has supported clients in securing more than $188 million in awarded funding through a comprehensive approach that extends beyond grant writing. The firm provides strategic grant research, funding analysis, proposal development, compliance and post-award support, training, mentoring, and systems-focused consulting designed to help organizations build long-term sustainability and operational effectiveness.

Dr. Siller is widely recognized for helping organizations move from reactive fundraising to strategic funding development by improving internal collaboration, program design, data alignment, and proposal readiness. Her work focuses heavily on capacity building and equipping organizations with the tools, processes, and leadership strategies necessary to compete for and manage funding successfully.

She is also the founder of an AI-powered grant platform developed to modernize and simplify the grant development process through technology, collaboration, and readiness-based workflows. In addition to leading Ascend NBS®, Dr. Siller serves as a national trainer, speaker, consultant, and mentor, helping organizations and leaders strengthen funding strategies, improve sustainability, and create greater community impact.

Backed by a Master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership and advanced expertise in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, she delivers the unfiltered truth and strategic execution required to scale enterprises. Known for her unfiltered, zero-fluff approach, Victoria is the strategist you hire when you are ready to move past excuses and build an undeniable legacy.

Website: transforminglegacies.com
Preferred contact: vshipley@transforminglegacies.com

In 2020, Jamie founded the Market Box produce access and food literacy concept. Since then, she has worked alongside more than 50 community organizations to help distribute over 4 million pounds of fresh produce while expanding access to produce markets, nutrition education, healthy recipes, and community-based food resources.

Jamie’s work centers on the belief that food is health and that every family deserves access to fresh, affordable produce and practical information that supports healthier choices. Her leadership and community impact have earned local and national recognition, including being named the American Heart Association’s 2023 San Antonio Woman of Impact.

As a contributing writer for Live From The Southside Magazine, Jamie will share seasonal produce knowledge, healthy eating tips, accessible recipes, community resources, and stories about the people and organizations strengthening San Antonio through food.

As the founder of Cultura y Salud Nutrition LLC, Rosie is on a mission to help reduce the impact of diabetes and chronic disease by blending evidence-based nutrition with the traditions she grew up with. Inspired by her Mexican heritage, she creates culturally inspired wellness resources, children’s books, and innovative products that honor family recipes while supporting healthier choices.

When she’s not developing new wellness programs or writing, Rosie enjoys serving her community, encouraging women to prioritize their health, and sharing the message that small, consistent changes can transform lives for generations.

www.culturaysaludnutrition.com

For too long, men have been taught to carry pressure quietly. To hold it in. To stay strong without being heard. This show creates a safe, honest space for real conversations about stress, identity, relationships, emotional well-being, and what it truly means to redefine strength.

Hosted by Jamaal Cottrell, Silent No More invites men to speak openly, heal intentionally, and step forward with courage. Because strength isn’t silence. Strength is truth.

A Teach for America alumna, she was a classroom teacher in Title I schools for 8 years, then a statewide Texas public education advocacy manager for 2.5 years, and a BetterLesson instructional coach for first- and second-year teachers across the country. She has a B.A. in Sociology with Honors from Whitman College and an M.Ed. in Teaching and Curriculum from the Wheelock College of Education at Boston University.

She currently serves as the District 3 appointee on the Commission for Strengthening Family and Community Well-Being. She is a graduate of Leadership SAISD and a member of the SAHCC Latina Leadership Institute (LLI) Class 9.

When not working, she enjoys running on the incredible SA trails, taking her kids to all the public libraries, writing and performing poetry, or drinking one of the many fine craft beers the local breweries have to offer. She lives off of 181-S with her husband (also an educator), two wonderful boys, two cats, and one dog.

Growing up, I witnessed both the challenges and resilience that exist within our communities. Those experiences shaped my commitment to helping others access education, workforce opportunities, and community resources that can change the trajectory of a family’s future.

Over the years, I built my career in workforce development, nonprofit leadership, higher education, and community engagement. From supporting families and students to leading workforce initiatives and organizational projects, my work has always centered on creating opportunities for people to succeed.

In 2026, I earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Leadership Studies, becoming a first-generation college graduate and doctoral graduate. My journey reflects the belief that where you begin does not determine where you can go.

Today, I serve as a workforce development leader, consultant, educator, and motivational speaker, sharing my story with students, parents, educators, and community leaders across the country. Through every presentation, I hope to inspire others to embrace their potential, overcome obstacles, and recognize that their story matters.

Because success is not about where you start, it’s about having the courage to keep moving forward.

Lisa built a successful career in sales, but her heart was always drawn to community and nonprofit work. She volunteered with special needs students at Harlandale ISD and led the annual United Way campaign at UPS. Her dedication led her into the nonprofit sector, where she served as Director of New Business Development at United Way for Greater Austin and contributed to various other organizations. In 2021, Lisa took a bold step and founded her own nonprofit, culminating in the launch of Soy Latina in 2023.

Her journey began with a dream and a prayer, a desire to give back to her community, create something her younger self needed, and ensure that young Latinas didn’t face the same challenges she once did. But Lisa emphasizes that dreams alone aren’t enough. Careful planning, research, perseverance, and surrounding herself with like-minded supporters allowed her vision to take shape. She credits mentorship, guidance, and a commitment to learning, like taking classes on the latest AI marketing tools, for her continued growth.

Lisa has faced her share of struggles, particularly balancing time and responsibilities. When you’re doing it all, things can get hectic, and sometimes things fall through the cracks. And that’s okay. She’s learned to embrace imperfections, not take setbacks personally, and trust that challenges occur for a reason.

Among the highlights of her journey are the relationships she has built. Meeting mentors, leaders, and community members who share her passion has been transformative. Lisa’s greatest pride comes from Soy Latina. Unlike typical programs, Soy Latina becomes an integral part of participants’ lives, taking the time to get to know the girls and their families personally and responding immediately to their challenges.

Lisa wants readers to know that her personal experiences fuel her mission. Challenges don’t have to define you; they can fuel you. Her focus is on equipping the next generation with the guidance, resources, and encouragement they need to thrive. Her advice to all is simple: move with intention.

A surprising fact about Lisa is that she is a boy mom who has never had firsthand experience with girls, except now through her Soy Latina hermanitas, and she is also a proud grandmother to an 18-year-old grandson.

To support or collaborate with Soy Latina, email SoyLatinaTX@gmail.com, follow the organization on social media, or contribute through donations or sponsorships.

Adeina creates travel and outdoor adventure segments for multiple local television lifestyle shows on NBC, ABC, CBS, CW, and Fox. She has road-tripped, hiked, and explored 49 of the 50 US states.

travelifewithadeina.com · Instagram @adeinaanderson

Known as the Cowboy Capital of the World, Bandera offers a unique blend of small-town hospitality, western heritage, and outdoor adventure. Through Life in Bandera, TX, Peek shares a family-friendly guide to exploring the town’s local restaurants. Additionally, she covers community events, small businesses, and hidden gems.

Peek spent more than two decades in corporate America before choosing a path that allowed her to focus more on family and community. Today she is a wife and mother of four boys. Her family enjoys exploring the Texas Hill Country through hiking, fishing, and attending local events.

Life in Bandera, TX, is also partnering with Live From The Southside Magazine. Through this collaboration, Life in Bandera content will also be featured in the magazine, connecting Hill Country experiences with readers in San Antonio and surrounding communities.

Connecting the Hill Country Through Travel Stories
This partnership expands the Live From The Southside Travel content readers enjoy. From weekend road trips and local festivals to restaurants, outdoor adventures, and small-town businesses, the collaboration encourages readers to discover nearby destinations and inspires them to support local communities. As Life in Bandera, TX grows, it aims to become a trusted resource for locals and visitors looking to experience the authentic spirit of Bandera and the Texas Hill Country.