The Arc of Leadership: 3rd in a Series
Written by Tim Buckley, September 2024
Almost 25 years after attending first grade at Kennedy Elementary, in Keizer, Darian Owens found herself back there in 2024, this time as a mentor, community organizer, and Outward Mindset practitioner.
Darian came to the US from Jalisco, a state west of Mexico City known for many things associated with Mexican culture, like rodeos and wide brimmed sombreros, mariachi bands, colorful flowery dresses adorned with ribbons, and, of course, tequila. “I came here at age four because my mom wanted a better life for me. She told me that economic survival in Mexico often means that children must find work at a young age to help support their family.” They landed in the Salem area because an aunt and uncles live here. “My dad was our main support,” Darian added. She is the oldest of five siblings, the rest of them are boys.
Darian and her cousin, Edith Aguilar
Since April, Darian has been helping neighbors in three neighborhoods, including Kennedy, to organize events, conduct classes, recruit local nonprofits as neighborhood resources, and be a liaison to those resources.
“My first exposure to CBEL was only a year ago,” said Darian, now 30. My cousin Edith (Aguilar) invited me to attend a Safe Halloween event in 2023,” she said. At the time, Edith was in the position Darian holds today. “She and I are like sisters,” she added. Darian was hired to assist Edith with outreach. When Edith decided it was time for her to step back, Darian helped fill those shoes. “Edith is amazing,” Darian said. “She taught me so much – about organizing, about handling the pressure of event coordination, and about working with all ages of people in different settings.”
Darian is a wife, a mother of three boys, and works full time, well, more than full time. For CBEL, she is a half time Neighborhood Connector. She also works half-time at Salem Transitional Care as an Activities Assistant and CNA, a position she has held for nine years. “I’m fortunate because I have two very rewarding jobs. I love working with people,” she said.
When Darian attended McKay High School, she took additional college level classes in medicine and nursing, and graduated as a Certified Nurse Assistant. In 2014, she graduated from Chemeketa Community College as a Certified Medical Assistant.
“At Salem Transitional Care, I work mostly with adults, most of them in some kind of medical rehabilitation,” Darian said. "At CBEL, I work with all ages but I think working with the neighborhood children in a number of ways has been very rewarding. I think it has helped me and my husband raising our own boys. Working with kids has been an eye-opener,” Darian continued. “They are so energetic and full of life! This job, and my understanding of Outward Mindset, have helped me better understand people, and has increased my level of patience with stressful situations.”
Darian with her husband Marquise, and 3 kids
Darian met her husband, Marquise Owens, through mutual friends one evening at Salem’s Buffalo Wild Wings. “We started dating in 2014 and married three years later,” she said. Darian and Marquise have three boys: Anthony (7), Matthew (5), and Mathias (1).
“The thing I love about my jobs is the flexibility,” Darian added. “My supervisors understand the importance of family and give me lots of space to get my work done while still being present to my family’s schedule and needs,” she added. “I’m blessed to have beautiful, loving and respectful children. And I’m blessed to have a husband who is so supportive. While he would be glad if I didn’t work outside the home, Marquise says that he wants me to do what makes me happy.”
“I’m also grateful to mentors who helped us feel loved and supported in our life,” Darian said. Besides an aunt and uncles, it was Javier Quiroz who really helped my mom with parenting classes.” Javier is a staff facilitator with Salem Keizer Coalition for Equality, who frequently helps out when Fun Friday’s call for volunteers to help.
And, as Destiny Aguilar stepped back from her Neighborhood Connector position to return to college, Darian has assumed some of her responsibilities too. And that includes the role of mentor for the new people hired to help the neighborhood family councils organize and function well.
Next month, you’ll read about two new neighborhoods being added to the CBEL family: neighborhoods surrounding the Cummings and Washington elementary schools. And you’ll read about Maribel Mora, just hired to work side by side with Darian. “She’s very nice and capable. I’m not sure how much mentoring she’ll need but I’m happy to be able to support her becoming familiar with how all these pieces fit together.”