KPRC 2 knows Houston is home to incredible Latin American cultures and cuisines and as part of Hispanic Heritage Month we want to recognize some Latinos who are making a difference in their communities.
Belén Bailey is from Lima, Peru, and after coming to Houston and leaving her high school teaching profession, she opened her shop, Sweets by Belén, eight years ago in the Gulfton District.
Belén was inspired by her mother and grandmother’s recipes and her passion to showcase her family’s rich Afro-Latino culture and history.
She has made it her mission to give back to Houston, one alfajore at a time.
“We use my mom and my grandmother’s recipes,” Bailey said.
“This is not just Belen’s business, this is a family business, even though my mom and dad are in Peru, but they still contributed to my store. They came to build the store when we were running out of money to build the store eight years ago. I called my dad and said ‘Hey, can you come help paint the store?’ and he said sure,” added Bailey.
“Here in the store, you’re going to find amazing flavors and the aromas of Peru, not only from Peru from Latin America,” she said.
Belén was recently honored by the Gulfton Management District for her leadership and business contributions to the community.
“I participate a lot, I am very involved in the community, because this community is full of challenges but also there is a lot of people like me that want to do better our mission here is to make people happy and alegrar el corazón,” Bailey said.
“Peruvians are hardworking people. We have an amazing culinary scene, you have to stop by and try everything that we do here at the store, and there are many restaurants that do a great job promoting Peruvian culture,” Bailey said.
“Are you going to be in a documentary?” KPRC 2′s Sofia Ojeda asked.
“I think so. Oh my. Very few people know about Afro-Peruvians, I guess they want to showcase, the Afro-Peruvians and Afro-Latinos, not only here in Houston but I think in all of the USA. I am Peruvian you cannot scare me, back in Peru I always participated, I come from very humble beginnings, I know that hard work pays off and we have to be involved in the community to help so they know not only are we making them happy with our desserts.... besides I love Gulfton,” says Bailey
And Bailey, who has been battling breast cancer, has partnered with the Rose Houston. She will give 100 percent of her sales of her Pink Cake this month to The Rose, the organization that helps women get free mammograms and screenings regardless of their ability to pay.
Bailey is still getting treatment, but she is on the road to recovery.
Sweets by Belén is located at 6001 Hillcroft, Suite 400. You can visit the shop’s official website here for more information.