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

Latina South

"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.

Thank you for listening to Latina South! If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or drop us a note at [e-mail]. For more episodes, please visit our website: www.latinasouth.com. Or follow us on social media @LatinaSouth.

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.