
2021 Latina of Influence | Paula Garces
Hispanic Lifestyle is pleased to recognize Actress, Producer and Entrepreneur Paula Garces as a 2021 Latina of Influence. Annually Hispanic Lifestyle acknowledges the achievements of Latinas who make a difference in our community.
A full listing of our 2021 Latinas of Influence were announced during the digital presentation of Hispanic Lifestyle’s Latina Conference 2021.
ABOUT THE HONOREE
Paula Garces is an actress, producer and entrepreneur that has been breaking down barriers and opening doors in Hollywood. She is best known for her role as Maria in the franchise cult-classic Harold and Kumar and can currently be seen on Netflix’s hit comedy series On My Block. This spring she will release her popular comic book superhero The World of Aluna to video game. Aluna: Sentinel of the Shards, releasing this April, will bring comic’s first female Latina superhero to video games.
Garces was born in Medellin, Colombia. Her father was a fisherman, and her mother was as schoolteacher. At the age of seven her parents relocated to Harlem in New York City. Shortly after, she began acting in commercials and then made her first film debut in Dangerous Minds (1995), Paramount’s teen sci-fi adventure Clockstoppers (2002), starring opposite Jesse Bradford and Marci X (2003), opposite Lisa Kudrow and Damon Wayans.
She has also starred in hit primetime series such as The Shield, Defying Gravity, and Warehouse 13. Her acting credits also include TNT’s Major Crimes, The Sopranos, Law & Order: SVU, CSI: Miami, The Good Wife, Elementary, Knight Rider, Chase, and Breakout Kings.
In 2008, Garces made her San Diego Comic-Con debut with the release of her very popular Latina Comic Book Superhero The World of Aluna, which she voiced as an avatar to millions of gaming fans in the multi online battle arena world. Her entrepreneurship didn’t stop with just a comic book. She soon after began developing the video game and a live action series.

Garces made her San Diego Comic-Con debut with the release of her very popular Latina Comic Book Superhero The World of Aluna
Related Articles
Related
Dr. Maria Yareli Delgado | 2023 Latina of Influence
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Maria Yareli Delgado, inaugural Senior Director of Hispanic Serving Institutions Services at The University of Texas at Arlington, has been selected as a Hispanic Lifestyle 2023 Latina of Influence. Dr. Delgado will be recognized...
Paloma Alvarado | 2023 Latina of Influence
We are pleased to announce that Paloma Alvarado, Partner - Field Manager and Recruiter with New York Life Insurance Company, has been selected as a Hispanic Lifestyle 2023 Latina of Influence. Ms. Alvarado will be recognized for her leadership in our community during...
Sandra Maria Garcia | 2023 Latina of Influence
We are pleased to announce that Sandra Maria Garcia, Manager of Public Affairs Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad and State Chair of Hispanic Women's Network of Texas, has been selected as a Hispanic Lifestyle 2023 Latina of Influence. Ms. Garcia will be...