About
MEET WINSTON LEIVA
Winston is a dedicated community activist, writer, public speaker, and mentor whose life story stands as a powerful testament to transformation, resilience, and purpose. He grew up in the tough neighborhoods of South Los Angeles during the turbulent 1980s and 1990s—an environment defined by gang violence, deep inequality, and limited opportunities. These realities, combined with difficult choices made during his youth, led Winston to drop out of high school, forcing him to navigate the harsh landscape of survival long before adulthood.
Yet Winston’s journey is not marked by where he started, but by the extraordinary path he carved for himself.
Determined to reclaim his future, he enrolled in a local adult school to pursue his G.E.D. Passing the exam became the spark that ignited a new direction. Encouraged by this achievement, Winston continued his education at a community college before transferring to California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where he earned his Bachelor’s degree with honors, becoming the first in his family to graduate from a university.
Committed to expanding both his knowledge and capacity to serve others, Winston pursued graduate studies, earning a Master’s degree from Wake Forest University. Most recently, he completed a second graduate degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, further solidifying his reputation as a scholar shaped not by circumstance, but by determination and purpose.
Guided by a deep commitment to service, Winston has dedicated more than a decade to the nonprofit sector, working passionately as a community educator and advocate. In this role, he empowers immigrant communities across the United States—translating complex policies, providing accessible information, uplifting marginalized voices, and helping families protect themselves in moments of uncertainty.
As a writer, Winston shines light on the hidden stories within underserved communities.
As a public speaker, he captivates audiences with authenticity, vulnerability, and hard-earned wisdom.
As a mentor, he guides individuals seeking healing, clarity, and a renewed sense of direction.
Rooted in the same South Los Angeles streets that shaped him, Winston proudly continues to call this community his home. His rise—from high school dropout to university graduate, multi–master’s degree scholar, nonprofit leader, and respected public voice—serves as a living reminder that transformation is always possible and that the power to reinvent one's life is within reach for anyone willing to take the first step.
