LOS ANGELES — In his unique style, Sammy Carrera is telling his story and the those of his community through poetry.
Carrera typically performs during open mic events and on social media, but recently recited his poetry in front of a mural in his Boyle Heights hometown. It's an art he discovered during one of the darkest moments in his life.
What You Need To Know
- Sammy Carrera started writing poetry as a teenager
- He is part of a DoorDash campaign called "Sonos Boyle Heights"
- An interactive mural is part of the campaign that encourages visitors to scan a QR code to learn about Boyle Heights
- Local restaurants say the campaign has helped boost business
Carrera said he was “in and out of juvenile hall at a very early age, 14, 15 years old, and that’s where I discovered my talent for writing.”
He credits poetry for not only changing his life, but also saving it. It’s a talent that allows the father and husband to share his experiences from the challenges he’s faced to the beauty he sees in his Boyle heights neighborhood.
When he’s not writing, Carrera works as a garbage truck driver and typically leaves his home by 5 a.m. While it may seem like this job has nothing to do with his poetry, he says it actually inspires his writing.
"It’s added, like, a different perspective as far as, I’ve always known that this is a strong working-class community, but being up early at that time of day and witnessing it is a little different."
Carrera is one of the artists highlighted in "Somos Boyle Heights," a DoorDash campaign focused on celebrating the people and culture of Boyle Heights — one of the oldest Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Carrera is also one of the many faces featured on an interactive mural in the heart of the community. The custom murals combine art with technology by encouraging visitors to scan a QR code and visit a website that highlights community members. While it’s highlighting the community, it’s also helping businesses.
Beatriz Barajas, who works at Yeya’s Restaurant in Boyle Heights, says the campaign has attracted more customers because people come in asking about those who on the mural. It’s something she says is much needed during the COVID-19 pandemic so that people know the businesses here are now open.
Carrera, a third-generation Boyle Heights resident, feels proud to be part a campaign highlighting the neighborhood he loves.
"This is definitely home," he said. "I already have my two daughters who were born, and I intend to raise them here. We have a third child on the way, so we definitely want to make this home, and we want to raise our family in the neighborhood."