One Bronx Latina woman has dedicated her life to public service and whether she's encouraging the community to fill out the census or reminding her kids of their own heritage, she is making sure Latinos stay "presente.”

Born and raised in the Bronx, Ischia Bravo has dedicated her whole life to public service.

Since the age of 19, she has worked in different levels of government to nonprofits and currently is the district manager of Bronx Community Board 7.

"There are 12 district managers in The Bronx. There are two women. Community Board 8 and myself, Community Board 7. I am the only Latina and woman of color,” says Bravo.

That is not her only role. She is a mother to two boys, ages 5 and 13. She says she makes sure they know their heritage.

"It is just understanding where we come from right? It is not just New York; it is not just the U.S. It is going back to your roots and showing them like, 'hey this is where we come from, this is where abuela came from,’” says Bravo.

Bravo tells News 12 she celebrates the music and food of her culture, and as she gears up for a run for City Council, she has this message during Hispanic Heritage Month.

"That is my message for my Latinx community, to embrace themselves by filling out the census. I don't think there is anything more important than that, we need to make sure we get our federal dollars, representation matters,” says Bravo.