These traumatic experiences developed in CHAE the art for singing and songwriting by telling stories through music, which lead her to participate in different cultural events at her new school. CHAE learned how to play the guitar by ear and got involved in her church by joining the youth choir. Later on, she teamed up with her sister Mila forming a duo called the Cordoba’s sisters. During CHAE’s High School graduation ceremony, the Cordoba sisters performed and were spotted by a local group called the Lezama Brothers who added them as their front lead singers. On one occasion while performing in a distinguished social event, the two sisters were spotted by another big-time orchestra called La Monumental, which added the sisters’ duet as their main front show and became the musical sensation of the time going by the name Las Perlas Negras and La Monumental Orchestra. They received several music awards and recognition in the north coast music scene.

Songs such as “Carnaval” and “Navegando” from their first album FUEGO Y CANDELA, “and La Rumbera” from their second album, “ASI SOMOS” written by CHAE lead the orchestra to reach national and international stardom. Thus, they obtained awards such el Congo de Oro in Barranquilla’s carnivals, special recognition by Cartagena Camera Commerce, and a distinctive mentoring award as the best upcoming artists at the International Caribbean Music Festival of Cartagena. Despite their success and rapid popularity, the two sisters struggled to stay in the band and left after a short tour through Europe. As a victim, CHAE is very sensitive to the way in which racial discrimination, poverty, hunger and sexual abuse is rampant in her country, where justice does not prevail.

The lack of financial and educational resources, plus the lack of representation in the government for the Black Colombians is very often accepted as a normal way of life. Influenced by the American music songwriters such as Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, and Bob Marley to name a few, CHAE studied English and dreamed to leave Colombia. Her quest to leave the country was her deepest desire. During this time in the 1990’s the entire nation was in turmoil. This was due to the social instability, drugs cartels, and the guerrilla commanded by Pablo Escobar and the guerrillas. This created an atmosphere filled with chaos, violence and fear. There was no room for peace and entertaining for the civilians. People were afraid of going out to clubs and artists were afraid to perform in places full of narcos and drugs traffickers disguised as civilians. Murder and violence leaded the country of Colombia into a place of terror lacking opportunities to express art. CHAE knew she had to leave.

CHAE’s first attempt to come to America along with her sister was for a cultural event at the San Juan Puerto Rico Hilton hotel. Unfortunately, the sisters were deported back to Colombia the day after their arrival. The Puerto Rican Federal Agents accused them of pretending to be Colombians. The agents stated, “Colombia does not have black people.” This set back was not enough to stop the two sisters. CHAE and Mila hid in a cheap motel room in Barranquilla City for almost a month while working on returning to America. They went back to the American Embassy and requested a new visa on the grounds of being unfairly treated as criminals and discriminated against because of their race and color. The American embassy studied their case and due to the sister duo great popularity, they offered an apology and granted them a new visa. This time to Florida. Las Perlas Negras arrived into Miami with a bag full of illusions to conquer the American Dream.

CHAE not only learned ways to promote her music but found other ways for survival in a foreign country. Speaking basic English, she got a daytime job as a teacher’s aide, while working as an artist and a music promoter at night. She managed to form a band of 8 male members and her sister Mila. They performed in Florida’s major clubs and music venues. They also gained exposure on the international Spanish Television Network Univision with shows like “Sabado Gigante”, “El Show de Carlos Alfredo”, “A la Cama con Porcel”, among others. CHAE’s main dream was to go to New York City. CHAE convinced her sister to leave Miami. They accepted an opportunity offered by a music manager to perform in New York City. After several performances, the music manager abandoned the two sisters and left them homeless in the city. CHAE then, managed to get help from a loyal fan. He invited them to stay in his house attic.

The music manager left the sisters with unpaid hotel fees. The hotel kept their personal belongings as ransom. After several weeks of searching the sisters found the music manager in the Bronx. They were not able to recover their earnings, only their personal belongings from the hotel. After that event, the sisters asked for help from a catholic church in Jamaica, Queens. The church helped them move from that frantic attic to a room they rented from a church woman. CHAE and Mila would then promote their music at different Hispanic restaurants and music venues in Manhattan and Queens. Subsequently, CHAE contacted a well-known Colombian music manager and after a lot of setbacks of unpaid gigs, stolen personal things, and homelessness, Las Perlas Negras returned to Colombia with a promise to launch a new music production. However, as soon as they arrived the deal did not take place and the sister duo dissolved due to the circumstances.

CHAE returned to America to continue her dream, her music career, however, things would not be easy for this artist to break through. Once in America, CHAE had to learn how to overcome the language barrier and the inability to get a job without a working visa. Her quest to express herself and her music was put on hold. Now she had to endure another painful chapter of her life. This time she had to find the way to free herself from a domestic violence situation. Shortly after arriving in America with her new husband he began to abuse her. One night he became so violent that CHAE found a way to call the NYPD. Upon their arrival and with their help, CHAE escaped taking with her only her guitar and her songbook. Once again, she turned to the local Catholic Church for help. Through Catholic Charities and a priest friend, CHAE received Psychological and financial support. CHAE continued searching for a better way of life by trying to obtain an education. She knew that in order to continue working in her music dreams she first had to pursue an income producing career. CHAE continued her music in a quiet way by serving as music director and lead singer in her catholic parish.

After several years of working in low paying jobs and continuing to sing in her church, she was introduced to a wonderful man. He became her husband and manager and father of two beautiful daughters. With the support of her husband and during the time of rising her children CHAE worked as a personal trainer. During this time, she became interested in pursuing a career in Physical therapy. Those years moved quickly and CHAE completed her education and became a physical therapist and she continues to work in that field today.

Seeing the desperate and hopeless situation of Afro Colombians in her country, CHAE decided to return to the music scene talking about her stories growing up Black in Colombia and how things have not changed much since she left. She now has become an outspoken artist rebelling against the racisms and discrimination through music and spoken word to bring awareness of the black presence in Colombia. ‘My name is CHAE” one of her latest spoken word songs which refers to the humiliating and degrading name calling Afro-Colombians still suffer from the time of slavery to the present. The song is presented in a tribal house rhythm to bring awareness of Afro Colombians and their struggle for survival, for education, financial resources, and better way of living. Added to this, she emphasizes the little representation in the government of Colombia and the national media towards the Blacks and their needs.

This song allowed CHAE to participate at the 9th Annual NYC Multicultural Festival, in which she was appointed as Cultural Consultant for Colombia as per The African Chorus Ensemble in NYC and its president the Nigerian Ms. Joyce Adewumi. Due to CHAE’s rumbling success at the festival, she was then invited by the Colombian consulate to participate at the ColombiaFest 2018 at the Pen Plaza Pavilion in New York City. Subsequently, CHAE was invited again to represent Black Colombian at the 10th NYC MulticultFest followed by an honoring reception at Mayor Bill de Blasio Office celebration of Immigrant Heritage Week at Gracie Mansion. CHAE has continued her musical journey by producing, singing and writing the EP- album “COLOMBIANOS” which is an anthem and pride song to enlighten the people of Colombia, their culture, music, customs and diversity.

As a #METOO survivor CHAE has a dramatic, yet inspiring story to tell about growing up in the jungles of Colombia experiencing poverty, racism, hunger, physical and sexual abuse. Despite those odds her dream of coming to America and becoming an international recording artist was not hampered. As a little girl sitting on the roof of her Colombian home those perilous experiences gave her the spark to write the songs that would eventually lead her to become the successful Singer-Songwriter & Activist she is today.

CHAE’s main purpose it's not only to entertain, but to reinforce her calling, which is that through her artistry she will continue to educate the masses on the existence, the plight, the culture, the talent, the influence, the beauty, the Music of Afro-Colombians and all people of the African diaspora. As she states: “My mission in life is Transcending the Universe with the power of Music, Words. Color & Artistry to Enlighten the World." -Chae-