Elaine Utin, LatinxEd Co-founder on Being Latina and a Learner in the South | Ep. 16

04/19/21 • 40 min

"Being from the South and being Latina, at least my experience and in my journey...I felt like they were working against each other. And back to that feeling of 'Ni de Aquí o Ni de Alla,' as I look back I see so much complexity in that story." - Elaine Utin

Elaine talks about growing up in the South between a pecan and peach orchard. Born in Peru, she describes spending her formative years in faith-based communities influenced by her father while also visiting Peru and experiencing food, music, and language from her mother and grandmother. She talks about using the two sides of her brain when describing the two sides of her identity.

She eventually realizes the complexity of her identity in her experience as a first-generation college student and in her college years. She begins to unpack the many layers of her experiences in the development of her work with the Latinx community.

Elaine talks about LatinxEd and how her lived experience of being a learner in the South influenced her approach to creating the South Carolina nonprofit organization which serves youth in the Latinx community.

Adela asks Elaine, “What does your support structure look like?” Elaine talks about the challenges of being an entrepreneur while being a Mom and using coaching as a tool to help her with mindset and personal growth. She also talks about democratizing coaching for Latinx youth through the program Somos Carolina.

We can support Elaine and her work by visiting LatinxEd.org and learn more about impactful programs like College y Consejos and Somos Carolina.

Words of wisdom from Elaine: She encourages us all to allow ourselves to experience the complexity and nuance that is our own humanity and Latinx identity.

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Podcast Music: “The OGS Present Higher” Written by Divinity Roxx, Marcie Chapa, Katty Rodriguez, Nikki Glaspie, Tia Fuller Published by Hot Tottie Music (ASCAP), Wambui Publishing Company, I M A Funkateer (BMI) Used by permission. All rights reserved.

We can support Elaine and her work by visiting LatinxEd.org and learn more about impactful programs like College y Consejos and Somos Carolina.

Words of wisdom from Elaine: She encourages us all to allow ourselves to experience the complexity and nuance that is our own humanity and Latinx identity.

Previous Episode

Stefanie Diaz on Her Journey to Venture Capital and Empowering Others | Ep. 15

“My words are specifically to the Latinas of the South: Your voice is so important, needed, of value, beautiful. You have a style and an energy that this world needs more of.” – Stefanie Diaz

Stefanie talks about her personal and family journey to claiming her Latina identity, growing up in Georgia and feeling between two worlds. She describes going back to Puerto Rico and feeling as if she’s leaving a part of her heart behind when she leaves the island. She also talks about finding her tribe later in life.

Stefanie tells us what led to her work with Zane Venture Fund and her podcast, She Conquers Capital. Letting go of fear and going after her dreams with intention was an approach inspired by her son.

One thing we can do to overcome the fears of ‘not being ready’ or imposter syndrome is to flip the script and instead congratulate ourselves for being in a place where we are about to grow and develop.

Adela and Stefanie talk about how she is helping to make the venture capital world more welcoming. One way is how she uses her podcast platform, She Conquers Capital, to educate all about the world of capital while elevating the voices of underrepresented founders. Her advice: go to where you are celebrated and know your own value all while challenging yourself to come out of your safe zone.

Stephanie talks more about the inspiration behind creating the WOE (The Women Only Experience) for female founders. She leaves some words of wisdom for the Latinas of the South – our voices are both important and needed.

Next Episode

Ish Gayle on her Afro-Latina and Asian Background and Serving Multiple Communities | Ep. 17

"Just because I am an immigrant, just because I am a woman, just because I am half Afro-Latina or half-Malay, I can still do it. You have the same power that I do." - Ish Gayle

Ish Gayle shares with us how she grew up in Panama City, Panama with a Malaysian father and an Afro-Latina mother and her experience moving to the US as a young adult. Ish also talks about her time working for the Atlanta Regional Commission and her path to obtaining a college degree later in life

She also describes her work with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) and the Center for Pan Asian Community Services in Atlanta (CPACS). Her work with EME Mujer, Empowering, Motivating, and Empowering Latinas, a GHCC program also holds a special place in her heart.

Thank you for listening to Latina South! Please join us for our first Cocktails y Charlas: A Virtual Conversation event on Thurs @7P US EST, May 6, 2021. Register to receive a complimentary Georgia-made, Latina South pottery mug!