Elaine Welteroth is a person with versatile skills. She is a journalist, editor, author, and even a television host. Her self-discovery journey began at just three years old when she was tasked with making a collage of her family. As a child growing up in a predominantly white California town, she quickly realized that her family looked different from her classmates’ families. Undeterred, she cut out images of white people from magazines to complete her project. Then, her mother stepped in and taught her about the importance of racial diversity. That moment pushed Elaine to find images of black people in Ebony and Essence magazines for her collage.

This early lesson in embracing diversity and loving oneself was just the beginning for Elaine. She and her best friend, Claudia Ortega, opened up a beauty salon in Claudia's backyard. The trick is that they did it before even reaching fifth grade. The girls were determined to be successful entrepreneurs, though. Unfortunately, their salon wasn't profitable. However, it highlighted the power of determination and creativity, and it was a huge hit among their peers.

Moving on, Elaine's love for storytelling was evident from a young age. She would pretend to be a star and interviewer, taking on the roles of Barbara Walters, Janet Jackson, Michael Jordan, Mariah Carey, and Martin Luther King in the bathroom while showering. Her creativity and attention to detail would later help her become a successful magazine editor.

Through it all, Elaine's strong will and great ambitions have propelled her to achieve great things.