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Jaren Stewart never knew that a small beach town in Mexico would be his sanctuary. After facing resistance while advocating for civil rights at Clemson University, and learning invaluable lessons about community during his time in Argentina, he found himself drawn to Puerto Escondido—an emerging tourist hub two hours south of Oaxaca. Here, amid rapid development and cultural shifts, he’s built something that reflects his journey: a language school designed to help locals feel rooted and resilient in the face of change.

Growing up as a Black man in Southern California, Stewart never shied away from unconventional paths on his journey to creating change. 

With his sights set on entering the American political arena, he enrolled at Clemson University, where he became the student body vice president as a sophomore. But as he advocated for civil rights and worked on issues affecting African-American students, he faced fierce resistance–resistance that would ultimately lead to his impeachment.

“From that experience, I felt jaded–but jaded in the sense of, ‘I still need to make the best out of my situation,’” Stewart said. “I wanted to join the Peace Corps.”

It was that desire to push through despite setbacks that led him to study abroad in Argentina during his final year at Clemson. There, he said he was seen as a normal person, without his race being a defining factor. He also visited his friend Sara in Chile, where they explored the vibrant, rebellious spirit of Valparaiso–a community that dared to challenge the nature of capitalism in society.

After graduating, Stewart was accepted into the Peace Corps. “I got into the program for the Dominican Republic,” he said proudly. 

But then, the pandemic hit.

“It was March 3, 2020,” he recalled. “They told us there had been five confirmed cases of COVID in the Dominican Republic. So we were sent back home.”

During the pandemic, Stewart moved to Chicago and began working with the Urban League as a teaching assistant and counselor. “I had a great job, I was saving money,” Stewart said. But the urge to travel and create positive change kept gnawing at him.

Inspired by the sense of belonging he had in Argentina, Stewart saved up money to return to Latin America, ultimately choosing to settle in Mexico. There, Stewart began to capitalize on his experiences and made a stark shift into becoming an educator, driven by his desire to create positive change. "You have to bet on yourself, right? That's just it. Bet on you and see what happens," he said.

Stewart’s confidence led him to Puerto Escondido, where he worked at the local university as an English professor. There, he was able to integrate with the community, laying the foundation of connection that shapes his teachings today.

Stewart loved being a professor, and as he grew closer with the people, he learned how tightly knit the community was.

One evening, alone and watching the sunset on the mountain, a couple approached him. They struck up a friendly conversation, offering drinks and sharing stories. During their talk, Stewart learned that one of them was actually his direct supervisor's cousin.

One thing about getting to know the community is that you learn its problems too. With the rise of the tourism industry, Stewart has seen how locals feel increasingly pushed out, especially as the demand for English speakers grows.

Stewart highlighted the rapid changes by drawing a sharp comparison: “You've seen the similar effects in Hawaii,” he said, referencing how tourism can push out locals. “It’s happening here in Puerto, in real time.”

The struggles of the residents weighed heavily on Stewart’s mind. 

In a conversation with his colleague, Iain, Stewart learned about the history of the indigenous Scottish, or Celtic people, who faced marginalization and were looked down upon by the British establishment. This resonated deeply with Stewart, as he saw similar patterns of exclusion happening in Puerto Escondido.

Motivated by a sense of duty and a commitment to the community he has worked with, Stewart opened Centro de Idiomas in February 2024.

With a focus on the people of Puerto Escondido, Stewart said that his aim is to keep education as affordable as possible, stating “here in Puerto, social capital is worth more than physical capital,” often offering discounts to ensure that people are not hindered by an economic burden.

Stewart views language as a powerful tool for unity and wants his community to ‘never feel they need to separate themselves because they don’t speak English.’ For him, it’s about helping them stay connected to their roots and culture, even as the world around them evolves.

“The idea is just to empower them. Empowerment, empowerment, empowerment,” Stewart emphasized. 

As the school has expanded, Stewart has incorporated two language exchanges weekly to help people learning both English and Spanish to build community with one another.

Stewart says all the proceeds from the school go directly back into its mission, ensuring its doors stay open and continue to serve the community.