Aspiring young journalists tour Latine-owned restaurants in the Italian Market with the help of Mighty Writers and NAHJ

The tour allowed the journalists to try some good food and ask the restaurant owners about their journeys to success in the community.

By Tiffany Rivera. Edited by Nigel Thompson. On July 27, 2026.

Mighty Writers El Futuro along with their mentors, went on a field trip to interview other Latine small businesses. (Photo by Gabriela Watson-Burkett / Inti Media)

On May 28, Mighty Writers - El Futuro and Philadelphia Chapter of The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) joined forces for a second edition of “Journalists for a Day (Periodistas por un dia),” inviting 20 aspiring journalists on a trip to Latine-owned restaurants on 9th Street in South Philly to interview the owners.

The journey started at Blue Corn at 9th and Carpenter, then crossed Washington Avenue to Adelita, and ended at Mole Poblano near the intersection with Ellsworth Street. 

One stop was Mole Poblano, a beloved Mexican restaurant in the heart of Philadelphia's Italian Market, where students met with the owner and had the opportunity to ask questions about the business and the neighborhood. The group also visited Adelita's and Blue Corn, exploring the vibrant commercial corridor along Ninth Street—known to many in Philadelphia's Latino community simply as Calle 9.

Pedro Rios Sandoval, owner of Mole Poblano, told students that the restaurant’s famous dish is in its name. 

“Mole Poblano is what I think of when I want to eat something traditional from Mexico, where I'm from, and most of you are from,” he said. “It’s important to have mole poblano for parties, weddings, for whatever the occasion.”

Edgar Ramirez, an experienced journalist and founder of Philatinos emphasized the importance of exposing children to diverse professions, while also connecting them to their cultural and city roots.

“I think it is important because the children can see other options. Since our children see the basic work that we do, we don't want to limit them,” he said.

Sanchez is seen serving food at one of Mighty Writer’s stops. (Photo by Gabriela Watson-Burkett / Inti Media)

Isaac Sanchez, a mentor at Mighty Writers, is also an alumnus of the program and now an aspiring journalist. He said his time in the program gave him the confidence and skills to pursue that dream today, and he wants to give the same experience he had to the current crop of students. 

“I help the kids with their homework — if they need to write something, need something translated, want to read a book, or play a game — I volunteer to support them,” said Sanchez.

He also stated he wants to be a confidant for young Latine children who are still adjusting to the language barrier.

“I want them to know that when they see me, they can confidently talk to me and I can help them with whatever they need help with,” said Sanchez. “Just someone who can help them maximize their potential in school.”

Angie Bru is another mentor and has been involved with Mighty Writers for over three years. She said she knows how difficult it can be to learn a new language as a native of Colombia. When Bru came to the U.S., she said she landed in a field where she could connect with children and help them learn a new language. A lot of that translates into her work with Mighty Writers.

“We focus a lot on reinforcing writing and reading in English, but also that they learn and know more about their roots. That they learn words in Spanish, we love it,” said Bru.

Bru and a Mighty Writer student at the Mighty Writers Italian Market location. (Photo by Gabriela Watson-Burkett / Inti Media)

Regarding the restaurant excursion down 9th Street, Bru said learning cuisine is another way for students to connect to their roots and the roots of other students around them. 

“Most of the kids are from Mexico, but we have a lot of kids from other places like Honduras or Guatemala,” she said. “That opens up doors for kids who don't know about Mexican food, and it catches their attention, or they want to know more about the ingredients and how the food is prepared.”

Dinora Aragon, a program manager at Mighty Writers, said the trip is a good idea for students to be exposed to different restaurants and practice asking questions like real journalists.

“The goal for today is to have young people be exposed to restaurants we have here in the community, for them to discover that it is possible to dream,” she said. “The idea is that many of them aspire to be journalists, and this is the opportunity to practice their skills so they can achieve anything they set their minds to if they work hard.”

Martin Alfaro, President of NAHJ Philadelphia Chapter, helped spearhead the event and hoped it was an introduction to journalism for bilingual children. 

Alfaro at Mole Poblano helping serve drinks to the students. (Photo by Gabriela Watson-Burkett / Inti Media)

“We wanted to pair them with journalists who are doing this everyday and give them exposure and to learn about what it takes to do this work and why it's important to have people who look like them tell their stories,” said Alfaro.

He said he wanted to work with Mighty Writers El Futuro on this event because they have done such an amazing job teaching children from other cultures and slowly introducing them to reading and writing English.

“I really want the children to see people who look like them doing this work and to know that this is a possibility for them,” Alfaro concluded.