Jorge Arteaga
Right To Be
Brooklyn, NY USA
"Let go of the fear that things are going to go wrong."
Career Roadmap
Jorge's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I first joined Right To Be, I was very fearful. I was afraid my peers were going to think I wasn't smart enough. I thought I had to show up in a specific way to prove myself. However, I realized that that wasn't the case at all. I realized that I didn't have to be afraid because there is space to learn and grow, and if you show people your brilliance and passion, they'll meet you in that space to help you grow. Let go of that fear that things are going to go wrong so that you can grow.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
American Studies
State University of New York at Old Westbury
Graduate Degree
Study of the Americas
The City College of New York
Graduate Degree
Project Management and Operations
Graduate
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I’ve always loved history, especially U.S. history—I believe it’s important to know what’s happened before us and how things have come to be if we want to make change and progress in the future.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in American studies followed by master’s degrees in the study of the Americas and project management and operations.
3.
I started my nonprofit career as a reservation specialist for the NYC Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center.
4.
After about two years with The Center, I followed my brother down to Fayetteville, North Carolina, to work in the arts.
5.
In the South, I experienced homophobia, racism, and general confusion about my identity, which propelled me to want to work in racial justice.
6.
I moved back to New York and got a job working in operations for the racial justice advocacy group Color of Change.
7.
I joined Right To Be in 2019 as the director of operations and have since worked my way up to vice president of movement building.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
They're going to think I'm not smart enough.
How I responded:
When I first joined Right To Be, I was very fearful. I was afraid my peers were going to think I wasn't smart enough. I thought I had to show up in a specific way to prove myself. However, I realized that that wasn't the case at all. I realized that I didn't have to be afraid because there is space to learn and grow, and if you show people your brilliance and passion, they'll meet you in that space to help you grow. Let go of that fear that things are going to go wrong so that you can grow.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I didn't come out as gay until I was 25 years old. No one else in my family was out and it seemed like being gay was seen as a joke. Once I started working in LGBT rights at The Center, I felt more comfortable coming out.