Levis Interview

by Jacynth Serrano Rodriguez

As we continue our Levi’s® Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, we turn our attention to Miami, a city where the heartbeats of Latine cultures converge. From the Cuban cafés lining Calle Ocho to the vibrant art of Wynwood’s Venezuelan community, Miami’s Latine legacy is a rich tapestry of stories, resilience, and pride. In Little Havana, three creative powerhouses are at the center of writing the next chapter of the city’s story — restauranteurs, power couple Lisetty Llampalla and Justin Sherrer, and Muralist Didi Contreras. The friends and collaborators share a passion for uplifting Miami’s Latin culture through honoring identity, community, and legacy, something that’s evident from the dishes on the menu and the music playing on the speakers at Lisetty and Justin’s well-beloved supper club, Social 27, and the art that covers its walls, crafted with love by Didi.Read on to learn more about how identity, community, and Miami’s rich legacy have allowed them to honor the unique paths of their pasts in order to chart their destinies.

One way Lisetty and Justin bridge both community and identity is through the vibrant and carefully crafted artwork found inside Social 27, created by Peruvian artist and friend Didi Contreras. As a Latin artist and longtime Miami resident deeply connected to her heritage, Didi uses her art to celebrate her roots, reflecting the same fusion of cultures Lisetty and Justin bring to their dishes and hospitality. Born in Chiclayo, Peru, and raised by her immigrant mother, Didi has always had a passion for art. Didi’s work often features strong and confident women depicted in a larger-than-life way. Like Social 27’s cuisine, Didi’s style is a skillful blend of the local Miami vibe and her Peruvian roots, often incorporating popular cultural motifs like llamas and rainbows. Didi had plans to move to New York but sees the beauty in staying in Miami and being a part of the artistic boom that has been happening there over the past thirty years. “That twist of fate turned into a blessing. Being part of Miami's transformation and growth has been an exhilarating journey.”

She’s especially proud of organizing the Wall 2 Wall Women event in the Bird Road Art District in 2014. She sees herself as a role model, particularly to the children she teaches to speak, read, and write in Spanish. “Art is not just about creating something beautiful. It’s empowering the next generation.”  As she has grown as an artist, woman, and mother, Didi has realized how invaluable community is and that, like all forms of love, community is something you tend to. “It’s something you nurture, invest in, and cultivate, only to receive its benefits back many times over.”

When Didi thinks about legacy, she is quick to reflect on the sacrifices her

mother made, who came to the United States in 1986. She knows her mother’s decision to leave her home country wasn’t easy, and she honors her mother’s strength and resilience daily. "I embrace the unknown, take risks, and do the things that scare me. I strive to leave that legacy to my children and the world. Teaching them that faith is greater than fear.”

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage this month and beyond by visiting Social 27 for a rich taste of delicious food. Be sure to check out Didi’s murals in the restaurant and around Miami’s art district