Latanya West was born in San Diego and grew up in Los Angeles. After graduating from UC Berkley, she worked first in the entertainment industry as a tele coordinator for the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and in corporate media relations at NBC Studios. She also taught school for 13 years in the Pasadena Unified School District, then she worked as a curriculum consultant for McGraw Hill Education Publishing. From the start of her career, she has been a freelance writer and copy writer. She currently holds the Managing Editor title at The San Diego Voice and Viewpoint where she has worked for the past six-and-a-half years.

Latanya has always been service driven as she grew up watching her mother volunteer her time and talents as a community builder. (Her mother is also a Past President of the Los Angeles Watts Rotary Club.) Her year as an exchange student in Greece solidified her commitment to community service, and Latanya is excited to continue her service above self practices as a San Diego Rotary Club member.

She thanks her sponsors Michael Brunker, Laurie Coskey and Gil Johnson.