Interview with Mrs.Spresa Hopper
Mrs. Spresa Hopper is a proud Albanian-American woman having come to America from her native Montenegro at the age of 18. She currently serves as the grants manager at Bloomberg Philanthropies where she oversees processing of annual giving to more than 1,000 charitable organizations around the world.
Previously, Spresa headed Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s Advance team, spearheading and executing his appearances at international, national and regional events, ranging from the Republican National Convention to New York City’s Olympic bid in Greece and Africa.
She consideres accompanying Mayor Bloomberg on his first official visit to Prishtina, Kosova, in 2003 one of her career highliths. Quote: “Having the Mayor show interest in my culture, and convey his solidarity with the people of Kosova, meant a great deal to me. It was a very proud moment I will never forget.”
Earlier in her career, Spresa served as a producer and assignment editor at NY1 News, the city’s 24-hour all-news station. In that role, she managed the assignment desk, deploying multiple news crews while overseeing content accumulation. She also led the station’s popular New Yorker of the Week coverage, generating ideas, reporting, producing and taping segments. Born and raised in Montenegro (former Yugoslavia), Spresa came to America and learned English at the age of 18 as a foreign exchange student in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She became an American Citizen in 2005, and cast her first vote in New York City’s mayoral election.
Spresa graduated with honors from Brooklyn College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Business Marketing.
She currently resides in New York City with her husband, Michael, and their two children, Dylan and Bennett.
Mrs. Hopper, what was your childhood like in Tivar?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: It was all about doing well in school and making my parents proud. I loved to sing and perform. And the highlight was our weekend trips to Ulqin to see our grandparents.
While living in Tivar, as a woman of Albanian origin, did you ever feel discriminated in school?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: I was too young to fully acknowledge differences between me and the other children (we moved to Tivar when I was 6), but as years went by, it was evident I was different because of my name and heritage. And as a result, I was treated as such. But it just drove me to work harder and prove I could do everything just as good, and better! I would often have full conversations with someone before they knew my name, and then thoroughly savor the look of surprise on their face when they would find out Albanian was my native language.
How and why did you come to the United States?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: I had great success in high school, but there weren’t many choices for higher education. As a result of growing up in Tivar, I didn’t speak or write proper Albanian so I couldn’t go to an Albanian school. We found out about this student exchange program and luckily my parents were on board with this idea. They invested a good chunk of their savings to pay for it – for which I am eternally grateful. I think as a result, our entire family is thriving now. Though, when he’s having a bad day, my father will jokingly say it’s all my fault that he’s here!
Do you remember your first impressions of America? How were your experiences different or the same from what you had originally thought? If there were differences, how did you reconcile them?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: There were many! I was 17 and a half, first time on a plane, and landed in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a small town in the middle of America. I didn’t know what to expect! I was scared! I was nervous! I was excited! Once I met the host family, the Robertsons, I was relieved they had children my age, and we quickly connected. My goal was to learn English flawlessly as quickly as possible. I would wake up and ask “what is this called?” over and over about every new item I would encounter. The language barrier is a hard one. You are an adult with speaking capabilities of a toddler. It is incredibly isolating. But I took the attitude of I’ll just laugh along with whomever is laughing at my mistakes – and it worked! People were entertained by my determination to learn English, and I think they appreciated it too. It was also the perfect setting to experience America outside of NYC which is quite different. I attended High School, prom and homecoming dance – true rituals of growing up in America.
You are the Grants Manager, at Bloomberg Philanthropies. What are some of the most memorable projects that stand out from working in this field?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: Bloomberg Philanthropies was started once Mayor Michael Bloomberg left City Hall, and I have been here since day one. To know you are changing the world by protecting the environment, taking guns of the streets, supporting research to find cures for some of the world’s most devastating diseases, there are so many worthy causes we tackle every day – I am extremely grateful to be a part of it, and immensely proud of the work we do.
What is America to you today?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: Love this question! Everyone should have to answer it. It is that one place in the world that will give you the opportunities to do what you imagined yourself doing – guaranteed. There’s nothing stopping you – not your native language, not the name, the origin, economic status. You just have to go for it and watch it happen. By the age of 28, I was a proud owner of my very first apartment in the heart of Manhattan, and went to work every day for the greatest Mayor of the largest city in the world. My definition of the “American dream”!
How would you describe life in the United States, in general terms?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: Life in America is what you make it to be. You can choose to highlight the minuses, or you can work hard, hit the ground running every morning, be the most inquisitive person, absorb every bit of information that comes your way, soak it all in and make yourself better every single day!
What have you learned from America and about yourself, now an American citizen?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: Becoming an American citizen was one of my biggest personal accomplishments. I am incredibly proud to represent this country, as a proud Albanian. Being a citizen and having your vote count makes you appreciate the freedoms I didn’t have. I don’t take it for granted.
This experience has also taught me how driven and resilient my whole family is. My parents came here in their mid-40s and didn’t speak a word of English, and today they are proud owners of several buildings; my father speaks fluent Spanish with his tenants, and if anyone told me my mother would be able to drive from Staten Island into midtown Manhattan one day I would have never believed them! My brother’s successful wedding and photography business, AlbaPro, is thriving, and he’s the real superstar in the Albanian community (not me!). I could not be more proud.
But the most surprising lesson has come from my husband, who is American, and who was thrust into our hard-core Albanian family, willingly danced the “shote” at our wedding, didn’t understand what was said at family dinners, and still doesn’t! He is the one who continues to surprise me and teaches me every day respect and tolerance for other cultures. These are really fundamental human qualities that cannot be overstated, and I hope we instill in our children.
How do you see Albania today?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: My exposure to Albanian people and culture was mostly in Ulqin. I have been hearing great things, and that great strides have been made and I hope to visit one day soon.
There is a robust Albanian-American community in the United States, now fully immersed in this country. How integrated do you feel within this community?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: I can’t say I do. Juggling a full time job, plus two children, most days my husband and I consider it a success if everyone is fed and in bed by a certain time. But I look forward to doing more as the children get older and more independent.
What is your opinion of the Albanian-American women in this community, in the Diaspora?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: Albanian women are the strongest women I know. They are also incredibly dedicated to their families and children, and raising well-adjusted children in this society is the hardest and most admirable job there is.
And lastly, how do you foresee the image of the Albanian woman in the 21st century?
Mrs.Spresa Hopper: I am excited and can’t wait to see what’s in store for Albanian women everywhere. On a personal note, I just want to take a moment to acknowledge how inspired I am by the work you do, Kozeta, and your determination and drive. You are an inspiration to Albanian women everywhere. Your tireless efforts to preserve the Albanian culture and showcase our beautiful traditions are to be commended. On behalf of Albanian women everywhere, thank you. And thank you for showing interest in my background, I am deeply humbled and honored to take part in your interview series, and look forward to learning more about other Albanian women interviewed for this project.
Interviewed by Keze Kozeta Zylo
February, 2016
Manhattan, New York
Staten Island, New York, 2015
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