Stephanie has innovated the recruitment strategies of national education and political organizations, working across more than 30 states including California, New York, Texas, and in Florida for President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign.

1. FINDING YOUR OWN
LANE WITH STEPHANIE
CASTELLANOS
By: Valentine Ewudo
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT

2. Stephanie Castellanos is a
Talent Consultant, Diversity &
Inclusion strategist, expert
facilitator and grassroots
community organizer. Her
passion for social innovation
and youth empowerment stems
from her upbringing in
Inglewood, CA, experiences as
the first in her family graduate
from college, and as the
daughter of Mexican
immigrants.
Stephanie has innovated the
recruitment strategies of
national education and
political organizations, working
across more than 30 states
including California, New York,
Texas, and in Florida for
President Barack Obama’s
2012 campaign. Her expertise
includes community organizing
strategy, recruiting top-talent
for nonprofits and school
districts, diversity & inclusion
training design and facilitation,
and leadership development
for first-generation & students
of color.
Stephanie
Castellanos
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT

3. She is the Co-Founder of The Coalition for Diverse
Educators (C4DE), a national grassroots movement to
increase teacher diversity in urban public schools.
Stephanie’s leadership and equity training,
WOKEshops, has empowered over 20,000 diverse
youth, college students, young professionals and
community leaders at over 70 campuses nation-wide.
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT
Stephanie Castellanos

4. She currently serves on the
Board of Directors for
Justice Now, a nonprofit
organization advocating for
the rights of women in
prisons, and is a member of
the Young Professionals
Network (YPN) of Latinas
Lead. She graduated from
the University of California,
Los Angeles with a Major in
Sociology and a Minor in
Urban Planning &
Regional Studies.
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ALPHA PROJECT

5. K e y
T o p i c s

6. On WOKEshops
On making a change
On Education
If people knew the gravity of our teacher and the shortage we have,
then more people would want to get involved. A lot of the time being
the first in a family of color – The students are being pulled in different
directions.
In many ways, the youth will be the main one supporting their families.
These help the youth write resumes and prepare for the workplace,
because most of their families do not have that experience. Navigating
through these things is difficult, but now she is able to share what she
has learned with others.
This work is happening all over the West Coast for recruitment and
training.
Plant seed of hope first. Then, provide education and training around
teaching.
We create the change and the government isn’t going to make a
change. It starts at the grassroots level with us.
Her biggest challenge: Growing up and finding the right mentors. She
didn’t feel like she had a lot of people to ask the big questions. Now, she
gets to make a change for others and be the mentor for others.
Charter schools don’t work well with traditional school districts. We
can all work together and bridge the gap.
The real question is how to educate our communities about the impact
of school system and what our educators need.
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT

7. On the Obama campaign
This was the hardest and challenging job she ever had. She helped
manage a campaign office and worked every day.
Learning the importance of time and how our time is valued! How
many people can you contact in an hour? Quick lunch breaks were key
to make a bigger impact.
So many doors were opened before, during, and after that job.
Posting on social media about politics helped build her brand and land
this job!
One big goal: Wake up early so you are set up for success by 8 am!
Schedule your hours in advance and prioritize your tasks.
Trust your gut!
Make time for yourself and meditate.
Reach out to the right people and create a core group of mentors. Find
someone who has the job you want and learn from them.
On creating good habits
Bounced around a lot in Inglewood. Her parents separated when she
was young and she was raised by her Mom.
She didn’t think about college because of where she was raised. She
appreciated the teachers she had and one of her teachers kept asking
her what college she would go to. At that point, she started thinking
that college would get her places.
Growing up in Inglewood she was the “Token white kid” because of
her lighter skin. This was a challenge because of the micro-aggressions
she faced.
On growing up with Immigrant parents
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT

8. On charter vs. public schools:
“We all want the same thing at the end of the day, BETTER schools.”
On being a Latina woman
“Embrace your roots and be who you are”
Life tips:
“Setting yourself up for your life – starts with your job.”
“I don’t believe in work/life balance. For me it is life/work balance”
THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT

9. THE THINK
ALPHA PROJECT
C o n t a c t U sC o n t a c t U s
http://thinkalpha.net/
5550 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles CA 90036
val@thinkalpha.net
(323) 835-1906
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