An Inspired Chat with Elvira Zamora of Canoga Park

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Elvira Zamora. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Elvira, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What battle are you avoiding?
I am avoiding the cruel reality that is attacking our community. I know it too well, I healed from it, and having to re live it again is nothing short of torture.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Elvira Zamora the founder of the Chicano Elegance Foundation, a non profit focused on motivating, inspiring and educating the community. We create opportunity by way of expression, and focus on the beauty of our struggle and how we can surpass obstacles rather than let them take us down.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The fixer has served her purpose and can now be released. People need to work on themselves and be serious about it. We are here to help when people want to change and elevate, but we cannot be there for those who are not ready for that journey.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
My pain is still in full display, I use it as power and fuel to continue to pursue my purpose of being a community leader. I never thought or wished for the role, it was something that came natural to me because of the passion I have for the mission of our work.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is to honor the mother, our planet earth. We only have one mother, we only have one home. Modern propaganda has us believing that being a consumer with accumulating trash is what life is about, when really it’s about experiences, feelings and community. The ancestors always protected the mother first, because of her is how we eat, breathe and survive. Without our planet, and end of resources due to irresponsible behavior, we are doomed.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What pain do you resist facing directly?
I am resisting to face the pain that comes with being a woman, a person of color, indigenous and an immigrant. America is the only place where I feel that all those beautiful things that make me who I am, bring nothing but pain and suffering. I resist the pain because that is not where I want to be, I rather live in excellence, elegance and pride.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chicanoelegance.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicanoelegance/

Image Credits
Jorge Aguilar, Jeff Reyes, Alexander Seyum