Rising Stars: Meet Elizabeth Santana-zavala of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Santana-zavala

Hi Elizabeth, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have always been interested in the world around me, even from a very young age. My family and extended family frequently talked about current events, the world today, and culture. While most children my age were hooked online, I would be reading the Los Angeles Times to stay up to date on local events. At 16, I felt compelled to get involved with my community. I found that opportunity by campaigning for a candidate, distributing flyers and information door to door in the summer heat. Even though our campaign was unsuccessful, I gained a great deal of respect for candidates and volunteers and learned valuable lessons.

After the election, the candidate recognized my drive to help the community and connected me with someone who is now my mentor. At 17, my mentor introduced me to a young woman named Tara, who was 23 at the time. We bonded over the fact that our generation, Gen Z, was often overlooked by older generations. We were seen as a helpless generation that didn’t care about our future, but Tara and I knew that wasn’t true.

We also realized that there was a lack of independent, unbiased news sources, which meant many important local issues were going unnoticed. Instead of ignoring the problem, we decided to take it upon ourselves to change that. With the majority of our generation on social media, we chose to reach them there. I began interviewing people in the streets of the San Fernando Valley, capturing both sides of debates on issues like parental rights in schools, the SAG-AFTRA strikes, and the Braceros program.

We gained a combined following of 40,000 across all platforms, with several interviews going viral and receiving millions of views. Alongside the interviews, we also host a weekly podcast discussing politics, culture, and conducting long-form interviews with various experts and activists. Since then, we’ve successfully engaged my generation in open, healthy discussions with people from all walks of life.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When it comes to funding, we are just two young adults who are self funding something that costs a lot of money. Factoring in equipment, gas, and time, it has been a real struggle to produce high-quality videos for our audience. I’m just an 18-year-old who recently graduated from high school and is self-employed. This is where I am so grateful to my parents, who have supported my visions and goals in every way.

On a more personal level, I’ve struggled with the fact that I am deathly afraid of public speaking. I’d much rather be reading a book in a corner than standing in front of a crowd. Along with that I am actually a very pirvate person. And I like to safeguard personal details of my life. Some people would call me an introvert or maybe even an ambivert, depending on who you ask. You wouldn’t guess that from my online presence, but it is something I deal with.

Another challenge has been finding the right balance between my personal life and work. As an 18-year-old, I still love hanging out with my friends, but there are times when I’ve chosen to prioritize a speaking engagement over a hangout. It’s all part of the journey, though, and I’m grateful for the opportunities.

Although I’ve had my challenges, and I’m sure many more will come, I know they will never outweigh the amount of joy and fun I’ve had. It’s an experience many people my age will never have, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
This summer, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Braceros program. I conducted an interview with the child of one of the workers, who spoke about his father’s experience and what had happened to the workers. Many of them never received the pay they were promised. Fast forward a few months, and my great-grandmother came to visit. My mom showed her that exact video about the Braceros. My great-grandmother took a deep breath, and her eyes began to well up as she recalled her father. She shared with us the story of her father’s participation in the program. When I did the interview, I had no idea I had such a personal connection to what the gentleman was talking about. It was an incredibly impactful moment that I will never forget. It’s something I will treasure forever, knowing that the work I’m doing has a purpose. I’m shedding light on issues that have been so overlooked. I’m doing this for my family, friends, and community, and it’s something I’m very honored to do.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Growing up, I found joy in the simple pleasures of being surrounded by nature. I loved spending my days reading outside under grapevines or hiking through the Chatsworth mountains. My connection to nature only deepened as I raised a variety of animals—dogs, multiple cats, chickens, a turtle, frogs, fish, and birds—and collected fresh eggs every morning. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for creatures great and small, and they continue to inspire my desire to live close to nature.

Some of my fondest memories are of the times I spent with my grandparents. They would take me on the subway to downtown LA, where each trip promised a new adventure. We explored the cathedral, wandered through Placita Olvera, and rode Angels Flight. As we walked, they would share stories of their childhoods in Mexico and their experiences coming to the United States. These moments with them not only taught me about my heritage but also filled me with a sense of wonder and curiosity that I carry with me today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://180shift.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imelliespeaks/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shift180

Image Credits
Elizabeth Santana-Zavala