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Aleks' Open Road

ALEKS ZAVALETA

Executive Director
Loco Bloco

“Do what you gotta do so that when you get to do what you wanna do, you are able to.”

INTERESTS:

Art Music Non-Profit Organizations

THEMES DISCUSSED:

Acceptance Beliefs & Faith Character Culture Dedication Desire Education Experience Fulfillment Hard Work Inspiration Opportunity Perseverance Pressure Pride Regrets Self-Reflection Struggle Values Family Support & Encouragement

TAGS:

accomplishment, community, drumming, drums, gangs, happiness, having purpose, keeping busy, language barrier, literacy, making a difference, mentors, organizing, positivity, possibility, priorities, real life, school, self discovery, travel

BIOGRAPHY:

Aleks Zavaleta's childhood wasn't easy, and she's the first to tell you that by adolescence she was far from heading down a straight and narrow path. However, her sisters encouraged her to start attending a variety of art classes in her neighborhood put on by Loco Bloco, an organization in San Francisco that provides low-income, minority and immigrant families access to professional level arts education at no cost. Even though she doesn't have a high school degree, she worked her way up in the youth services community, and currently thrives as the Executive Director for Loco Bloco.