Holding Space: The Transformative Power of Being Witnessed and Supported with Leticia Peguero

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“Systems of oppression, right? Whether they be capitalism, racism, patriarchy, whatever, inherently are created for those that don’t have power to distrust themselves, right? Sometimes each other.  

Something as simple as “do I belong here?” The question is simple, but the impact is not. It is important to create  places where we can be witnessed because the systems that we’re a part of are created. You know, and the more your identities intersect, I am a woman, I am of color, I am queer, I am, I am, the more that the body and our minds learn to distrust.

And so, how do we create  the spaces for  people to reimagine what’s possible?

For the most part, the coach’s role is about witnessing people, right? How do you create the space for people to come and say, “gosh, I’m so embarrassed” or “this  happened. And I really hate that  I did this.”

And then my role is to say, “How did the embarrassment show up for you, and can I witness it?” Can I be with them to really see? That, I think that’s very different than saying to someone. Next time you get embarrassed or next time this happens, maybe you should do these three things, right?  It’s a very different tone.

Because we have so few spaces where we are actually seen and witnessed, can I create that for the people that I work with?”

–Leticia Peguero

From her early experiences watching the women in her family to discovering the writings of James Baldwin through his book ‘Another Country’ and the awakening that followed, and the emotional impact of hearing Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Mountaintop speech, Leticia Peguero shares significant moments and influences that shaped her journey into social justice work.

Her storytelling of how she “fell into coaching” connects her personal experiences, her career in philanthropy, and her passion for and transformative work with coaching women of color. She talks about the work of depersonalizing internalized oppression by asking important questions like: “How much of this is personal, and how much is systemic? What is mine to hold? and What belongs to the system?”

Leticia emphasizes the importance of rest in social justice work, the importance of somatic knowing, the legacy of her grandmother and mother, and the vital role storytelling plays in creating lasting social change.

Meet Leticia

Leticia Peguero is the daughter of Doris Viera and the granddaughter of Angelina Viera Rodriguez. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York she is first generation born in the United States.

Leticia has spent the past two decades working in and around the social justice philanthropic sector – sense-making, moving capital and resources to Black and Brown communities, and trying to disrupt the status quo. She has been an Executive Director, Vice President of Programs, and Senior Vice President. All of these positions have shed light on the work that needs to be done and on the role that she wants to play in creating fertile ground for future generations.

Leticia fell into coaching and consulting by accident but has found great joy in this work over the past four years. She is currently an Executive and Life Coach primarily for women of color – helping them live life well in that interstitial space between the professional and personal. She is certified by the International Coaching Federation and has also been certified as an Internal Family Systems coach. She uses this coaching approach to help organizations get clear on their values, mission and visions as well.

Leticia has a Masters in Public Administration from The City University of New York Marxe School of Public Affairs at Baruch College where she was a National Urban Fellow and a Bachelors Degree from Fordham University. She is the Chairperson of the Board at the Center for Study of Social Policy, a trustee at the Drug Policy Alliance and Partner For Dignity and Rights. She is a proud fellow of the Rockwood Leadership from the Insight Out Fellowship program.

She lives in the Bronx, New York with her dog Billie Jean (the Queen).

Connect

Learn more about Leticia and her work at her website, leticiapeguero.com

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

00:00 The Book That Changed Everything
01:19 Awakening to Social Justice
03:59 The Power of Storytelling
06:55 Introducing Leticia Peguero
07:31 Honoring Ancestral Influence
10:49 Early Activations and Realizations
16:05 Depersonalizing Internalized Oppression
20:06 Falling into Coaching
24:10 The Philosophy of Coaching
36:02 Reflecting on Coaching and Holding Space
37:03 The Power of Intentional Space
38:51 The Role of a Coach Witnessing and Transformational Coaching
41:29 Unpacking Internalized Oppression
47:09 Gratitude and Influences
56:21 The Importance of Rest
01:03:58 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Name Drops, References, and Resources from Leticia

“Everything James Baldwin — reading him was magical and still is. Dr. Debra Joy Perez – I met her as a National Urban Fellow. She is still a mentor 20 years later. In Buddhism they say that sangha (community) is an important part of your practice — and I have found this to be true — surrounding myself with great people that really share a dedication to the liberation of Black and Brown people has been an essential aspect of my journey.”

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Social Justice Origin Stories is produced, edited, and hosted by Relando Thompkins-Jones