I AM A REPRESENTATION OF MY VILLAGE.
Being an actionable leader is a privileged space.
Being an actionable leader can often be a privileged space. There is privilege in autonomy and flexibility. Many of our potentially greatest leaders, unknown to us, do not have that capacity. My parents, for example, are leaders of generational change. They were born in a small town in central Mexico, where 11 of my siblings and I were also born. However, for many years, my family and I only had the capacity to survive.
We immigrated to North Carolina, where my parents and older siblings worked as migrant farm workers and lived in subsidized housing. For many years we focused on setting roots strong enough that could withstand our challenges so that my siblings and I could focus on more than just surviving. I grew up with an entrepreneurial father, a disciplined mother, and ambitious, clear-sighted siblings. I was surrounded by strong-minded, driven leaders. Both my parents and siblings were creating paths that we had not witnessed before. I felt like the black sheep growing up with siblings that had a clear vision of their path in life, and I had no idea of who I would become or wanted to become.
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
I am, and was, really privileged growing up with the freedom of choice and a village of people clearing a path for me.
While in elementary, Mrs. Shehan matched with me after I was labeled an “at-risk child”. She provided me with amazing experiences and direction to stay on track. My sister Rosa was the first to pursue an associate’s degree. That laid the ground for many of us to think beyond high school. While in high school I was still what you would label as a “distracted” and “at-risk” student, though my academic performance never wavered. My siblings were my models of excellence and kept me on path to academically perform well. My sister Juana was the first to pursue a bachelor’s and master’s. The rest of us followed her steps and attended 4-year institutions.
After graduating from Berea College, Teach for America relocated me to Charlotte. Yet, while teaching, I still felt lost and uneasy about my path. I loved the students but did not fit well into the red tape of public education. My sister Juana introduced me to a Master of Public Health program, and I applied. While in graduate school, my mentor, Dr. DeHaven, provided me with many opportunities to learn and apply my talents which developed my interest in evaluation and community involvement.
After graduating I started at Carolina Youth Coalition. I attribute my greatest growth as a leader to CYC. I found my leadership and skills exponentially grew when my passion aligned with the impact and purpose of what I did every day. Aaron Randolph, the executive director, is a great leader. He did not limit my talents and ideas to structure and policies.
I am still being raised by a village of people who are directing my path. I firmly believe our greatest leaders are built by others. We are a mixture of the talents, foresights, actions, and influence of those around us. I am a representation of my village.
Maria Diaz is the director of persistence and evaluation at Carolina Youth Coalition, a Charlotte-based, non-profit organization that nurtures and propels high-achieving, under-resourced students to and through college.
