Empowered by my heritage, inspired by my community

By Gerrit Gentry Casas ’26 MMM Program

Being born and raised in Mexico has always been a source of pride and strength for me. Now that I’m at Kellogg and living in the United States, I’ve come to appreciate how my upbringing has given me tools to understand diverse forms of self-expression and to empathize with people from different cultures and beliefs. These childhood experiences have also prepared me to go forward every time I am scared or feel challenged, in this experience in which everything changes from one second to another and the environment can be ambiguous.

I was born in Mexico City, one of the biggest cities in the world, but since the age of six, I remember traveling to rural areas with family and friends to help improve the quality of life in those communities that were mainly indigenous. We helped them get access to resources, but the surprise came when we saw that people throughout these communities all used these resources in different ways. 

At first, we wanted to show them how to use a bed per person, eating utensils and other things the way we used them in the city, but many of them decided to continue sleeping two people in a twin bed (or in hammocks) or using tortillas instead of the cutlery. We tried to teach them year after year until we understood that they had a great way of living life — just as they were. Who were we to change their customs just because we thought there was a better way of doing things?  

That’s when I realized it’s not only important to give people access to resources and tools but also allow them to choose how to use. It’s about empowering people and giving them freedom — while leading with empathy — so they can be their best and most authentic self.  

Now at Kellogg, I see how all the students are given resources and options, but everyone uses these in a different way. Each person is just trying to make their own path in which there is no right or wrong choice, and no one is ahead or behind. We are just doing the best we can with the skills we have developed. 

When I arrived at Kellogg, I was scared and overwhelmed. It took me two weeks to start thinking about exploring my new environment like going to different places or even leaving my apartment other than for class. I then remembered how people in rural areas around Latin America go to cities without a place to stay, not enough food or not many clothes and only a dream and hope to improve their lives and the lives of their families. I think about the Mexican artisans who experience different types of fears and challenges yet continue to make super colorful crafts and art. Being brave is not the absence of fear; bravery is looking to achieve goals in the face of fear.  

I saw parallels between their journeys and mine, moving from one city to another to follow a dream. My Kellogg dream is full of hope. I want to get more resources and freedom so I can give back and help other communities. Now, even when things feel unclear or I don’t know what to do, I try to stay strong by doing something good for others. I’ve learned that you get what you give, just like in physics every force has an equal and opposite reaction. 

Of course, this wouldn’t be possible without the help of others and the collaborative spirit at Kellogg, especially with groups like the MMM “Fammm” and K-Latam Club — groups that make you feel part of a community and bring out your best version. Through these experiences, I’m learning to put my values of empathy, persistence and collaboration to work while at Kellogg — values I plan to continue living by throughout my professional life. 

Read next: First Voices: Building confidence and finding home