Meet Odalys Jasmine | Hella Latin@ Podcast Host & Event Project Manager at LinkedIn

We had the good fortune of connecting with Odalys Jasmine and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Odalys Jasmine, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

I’m from Southeast San Diego. A place overlooked and underserved. A hub of Latino, Black, and immigrant communities. My family was one of the few Hondurans on the block. I lived in condo filled with punta, salsa, baleadas, semitas, café catracho y oraciones a nuestro padre que está en los cielos.

I’m a first-generation Hondureña and where I’m from has everything to do with who I am and how I maneuver the world. There are things about me that show where I’m from like my hoops, red lipstick, Spanglish. But my grit, hustle, love for community, those are the things that make me who I am.

It all starts with my community, I was born a U.S. citizen in a family of Honduran immigrants. My birthplace gave me certain privileges and opportunities my family couldn’t have because of their status. so as most first-gen kids, I promised to take every opportunity that wasn’t given to them. I not only carry my own dreams, goals, and aspirations, I carry theirs, too.

By day, I work for LinkedIn as an events project manager where. I support various programs focused on hiring underrepresented talent. Whether it’s bringing Black and Latino students in or giving resources to folks entering the workforce, I focus on creating experiences for emerging talent to learn, grow, and thrive.

By night, I’m the Hella Latin@ podcast host and creator. My mission with this platform is to create space for Latinos to tell their first-generation or immigration story, and amplify our community’s voices. Because we need more spaces to feel heard and seen.

My intention in every entrepreneurial and career endeavor is to represent, celebrate, and make space for my community. It all stems from my background and upbringing—feeling like there wasn’t enough representation or space for a Latina like me. Now, I get to be the person I wish I had when I was younger. From growing up an ESL student learning from textbooks held together with duct tape to a career in creating content and experiences for Latinos and underrepresented folks, I know anything is possible.

At the end of the day, I come from a community of trailblazers and hustlers. And that’s everything you need to know about who I am.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I’m all about representing the underrepresented and creating spaces for my community. That mission manifests itself in a variety of ways. It starts with my podcast Hella Latin@, a platform for Latinos to tell their first generation/immigrant story, and share their unique experience of navigating identity and Latinidad in the U.S.

When I’m not having conversations withn la comunidad, I’m curating and leading workshops/ presentations for first-gen college students, Latino ERGs and other organizations. All of this work in creating content led me to a career at LinkedIn as an events project manager for emerging talent. On a daily basis, I’m creating spaces and experiences for Black, Latino, and emerging talent, and giving them the tools, resources, and connections to excel.

I am where I am today because of my why. It’s my North Star. My why led me to amazing mentors, powerful connections, and meaningful work.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If we’re in San Diego, I’d take them to El Salvadureño first. It’s a Salvadorian Resturaunt with the BEST pupusas. After we’d go on a walk through Old Town or Balboa Park, take in the scenery. Then we’d head to Sunset Cliffs or Coronado for a beautiful sunset and take all the IG-worthy content. And finally, the best part, we’d end the day at Tacos El Gordo for some late night, Daygo tacos.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my parents and familia. For all their sacrifices. For all the dreams they had to let go of. And all the jobs they worked to provide for us. They created a foundation from nothing, and they taught me life lessons no textbook could teach. If it weren’t for their constant support and words of affirmation, I wouldn’t have the fearlessness and confidence to chase every dream, take every risk, and create the life I have.

Website: https://www.odalysjasmine.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellalatinopodcast/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/odalysjasmine/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OdalysJasmine

Other: https://www.instagram.com/ohjaaaasmine/

Image Credits
Rocio Rivera Photography Arabela Espinoza Photography Luis Cubas Photography Shop NYTAQ