Elita Laya (they)

4.5 (6)
From Richmond, CA
SinceApril, 2022

About
Hey there! I'm Elita (pronouns: they/them), a counseling and education professional and activist. As a Black, queer, trans, and nonbinary person, I know what it's like to feel unheard and unseen. That's why I offer personalized coaching services for professionals and students who want to confidently step into their own voices and challenge their own mindsets. Whether you're looking to improve your self-care, engage in social change work, or just figure out what your hopes and dreams are, I'm here to hold you accountable and help you make those aspirations a reality.

In addition to coaching, I'm also the Principal Consultant for The Center for Critical Mentoring and Youth Work. My team and I work to support organizations and executives who want to create truly liberatory and inclusive spaces for their employees and students. We believe in disrupting oppressive institutions and giving everyone a voice.

Finally, through Twalo, I offer motivational speeches and workshops on a variety of topics. Whether you want to learn more about anti-oppressive education, trans and gender-inclusive schools, or BIPOC wellness and healing, I'm here to create a safe space for learning and growth. My goal is to help you challenge your assumptions and become a more compassionate and inclusive person.

At the end of the day, I believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for creating change. That's why I see every speaking invitation as an opportunity for us to connect and learn from each other. Together, we can demand more from our institutions and create a brighter, more inclusive future.
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Available services

Reviews

Service as described 4.9
Communication 4.8
Punctuality 3.9
NT
Nicole T.
Working with Elita was truly delightful. Her presence exuded positive energy, valuable wisdom, and thoughtful intentionality that our diverse team (spanning different generations, ethnicities, and backgrounds) greatly appreciated. Despite the limited time, Elita managed to establish strong connections and provided us with practical tools for ongoing growth and self-reflection. I enthusiastically endorse Elita for any team development requirements, and my nonprofit peers would surely concur.
July 12, 2022
ML
Megan L.
Working with Elita was an absolute delight. Their responses to my messages were prompt and courteous, and they were able to schedule consultations quickly. I enlisted Elita's help in establishing a peer mediation program for youth, and they were able to engage our young participants in meaningful discussions about important mentoring practices and youth leadership. Our youth were tremendously inspired by Elita's personal story and journey, and felt a strong connection to them. Furthermore, Elita collaborated with our counseling program to ensure that our systems and practices were culturally relevant and inclusive to support our students. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Elita, and am eagerly anticipating future collaborations with them.
June 23, 2022
NW
Nicholas W.
Elita is a highly impressive speaker and an absolute delight to collaborate with! They possess immense expertise and knowledge, and are an engaging and impactful communicator. Their involvement was instrumental in making our event empowering and game-changing. Moreover, Elita managed to work within the constraints of our small nonprofit budget, while delivering results beyond our expectations. Even at present, their talk remains a topic of discussion during meetings! We undoubtedly look forward to collaborating with them in the future.
June 17, 2022
SN
Stephanie N.
With an abundance of knowledge and compelling communication skills, Elita is an engaging individual. Their fervent dedication to their work shines through in their presentations and thoughtful responses to follow-up inquiries. Collaborating with Elita while enhancing our educators' comprehension of our students' requirements proved to be a fantastic experience.
June 16, 2022
JT
Joseph T.
Discovering Elita has been a wonderful experience for me. As a School Counselor, I sought Elita's expertise on engaging my students, and including pertinent topics in group and classroom presentations. Their exceptional recommendations and resources will remain a valuable asset to my profession. Additionally, they conducted a few sessions with my students, demonstrating their impressive knowledgeability, and the students thoroughly enjoyed them. I highly recommend considering Elita for employment - their contribution will be worth it!
June 16, 2022