The Future Doesn’t Wait — Leadership, Identity & Purpose w/ Elijah Jenkins

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Elijah Jenkins — a proud Chamorro, two-term Undergraduate Student Government President at the University of Chicago, Stamps Scholar, poet, storyteller, and one of the most promising young leaders of the Pacific diaspora.

From growing up far from the islands…
 to reclaiming his cultural identity…
 to leading in elite spaces where he was often the “only one in the room,”
 Elijah shares how culture, ancestry, and purpose shaped his path.

This conversation is emotional, inspiring, and full of wisdom for students, leaders, the Pacific diaspora, and anyone searching for purpose.

To every Pacific Islander, to every student far from home, to every young leader trying to rise — this episode was made for you.

00:00 Introduction to Elijah Jenkins
05:42 Guamanian or Chamorro
09:17 Navigating College Life as a Chamorro
11:55 Pride in Chamorro Identity
18:46 Engaging with Pacific Issues
23:33 Reflections on Home and Change
29:59 Motivation and Ancestral Legacy
40:02 Navigating Challenges and Responsibilities
46:44 The Role of Brotherhood in Personal Growth
51:30 Building Unity Through Coalition Leadership
56:18 The Myth of Constant Busyness in Leadership
01:00:00 Learning from Failure: A Path to Growth
01:06:12 Defining Success Beyond Titles
01:12:54 Inspiration and Pride in Heritage
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📱 Connect With Elijah Jenkins
Instagram: @elijahjenkins61
TikTok: @elijahjenkins
YouTube: @EjenkinsVlogs
Email: ejenkins26az@gmail.com

📸 Photo Credits
Image Credit: Doriyon Ward (@_dwcreatives)
Photo Credit: The Visuals Series at UChicago (@visualsuchi)