These days, when the name "Selena" is heard or talked about, most people tend to refer to Selena Gomez. But for some of us, especially those who were born before the 2000s, we picture the Queen of Tejano Music, Selena Quintanilla.

Selena Quintanilla, whose 21st death anniversary just passed on March 31st, captivated the world with her powerful voice and positive spirit.

With her death anniversary passing and "Selena Day" coming up, on what would have been her 45th birthday, here are five reasons why Selena continues being one of the most influential latinas today.

1. Selena brought the Latino community together with her music.

Despite that Selena was an American born Mexicana, she began her career in the Spanish-speaking music industry in a specific genre, Tex-Mex. She was famously known for adding her own twist to Tex-Mex, attracting Latino communities throughout the United States to her music. Her music shined a new light on the huge Latino consumer market, one that had not really been there before.

2. Selena was an entrepreneur.

Besides her talent for singing and dancing, Selena also had a passion for fashion. The artist not only designed some of her performing costumes, but started a clothing line as well. During the peak of her career, in 1994, Selena opened up a Boutique, Selena Etc., in Corpus Christi, Texas. The boutique also had a built in nail and hair salon. Prior to her death, Selena was also working on a perfume line.

3. Selena did not forget about her roots.

Though, eventually, Selena crossed into the English-market in music, many don't know that English was indeed her first language. Selena learned the lyrics to her songs in Spanish through phonetics. With her great success in the Spanish-music industry, she realized that learning Spanish fluently was indeed something important to her. Within only a couple of years, the Mexican-American singer learned to speak Spanish fluently and began to do many interviews with Spanish programs on television and radio.

4. Selena remained humble, regardless of how famous she got.

Selena was known to be an artist who never wanted to let her fans down. Regardless of how busy she was, she always made time for her fans. Her rising fame didn't stop her from shopping at her local Wal-mart and Pay Less Shoes Source. Even at the peak of her fame, Selena remained living in the lower middle-class neighborhood where she grew up in.

5. Selena conquered the "American Dream."

Though her life was cut short at the age of 23, there is one immense thing that Selena accomplished that most people spend their whole lives trying to do: she conquered the American Dream. Selena and her family didn't have much when she was younger, but they did have a big vision that they weren't going to give up on. With the support of one another, they were able to create one of biggest Latina superstars to ever exist, with a lasting legacy that only continues to keep growing.

RIP SELENA QUINTANILLA (APRIL 16, 1971 - MARCH 31,1995)