Maria Elena is the Social Media Editor for The World.
She is a multimedia journalist with a dedication to channeling storytelling through social media. She likes reaching and engaging with new audiences and taking chances to experiment.
Maria Elena worked in international development before switching careers to journalism over a decade ago.
Prior to joining The World, Maria Elena covered Latin America as a TV producer for Al Jazeera English, working on breaking news, feature stories and documentaries in most countries in Latin America and all Brazilian states.
She also worked as a senior planning producer for Al Jazeera America in New York. Besides English, she is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
In addition to her social media work, Maria Elena was the project manager for the 'Every 30 Seconds' multi-media project — a collaboration between The World and public radio stations across the US, following the stories of young Latino voters ahead of the 2020 presidential election.
A musical journey around the globe 2022, a playlist
Music is part of The World’s DNA and, as it turns out, it is something many of the show’s staff appreciate. This playlist with their recommendations will take you on a journey around the globe.
José González’s 'Local Valley' mixes sounds from West Africa, from the Sahel to Ghanaian highlife
Elvis Costello’s ‘Spanish Model’ brings back rock-and-roll classics to a Spanish-speaking audience
Kiki Valera on Son cubano and how he developed a unique musical perspective
Lakou Mizik’s new album highlights Haiti’s creative spirit
Hatian band Lakou Mizik’s “Leave the Bones,” in collaboration with DJ and producer Joseph Ray of Nero, mixes traditional sounds with electronic beats.
‘I can speak the language of rhyme:’ Dakota Camacho on Guam, family and hip-hop
Seattle-based artist Dakota Camacho went on a quest to understand the complexities of their ancestors’ history, the Chamorro people. In the process, Camacho developed a unique hip-hop style inspired by their ancestors.
The world celebrates Eid — including some of The World’s listeners
We asked The World’s listeners to share what Eid al-Fitr means to them and their families. Here’s what they told us.
New album lifts up the voices of ostracized women in northern Ghana’s ‘witch camps’
The stories of these women, who remain vulnerable, can now be heard on an album called "I've forgotten now who I used to be."
This funk remix became Brazil’s COVID-19 vaccine anthem
Fioti’s revised version of "Bum Bum Tam Tam" keeps the original melody but the lyrics are not all about the booty. Instead, the remix champions COVID-19 vaccination and the Butantan Institute.
Photos: Arab uprisings began with quest for freedom and led to repression, wars
What started as a series of idealistic revolutions turned into dashed dreams of democracy and revival of authoritarian governance. The decade since has seen yet more instability and violence.
Tunes that kept The World spinning in 2020: A playlist
Music from artists featured on The World, suggestions from our team and anthems of 2020 — all on our end-of-year playlist.
Discussion: Mobilizing Latino voters — perspectives from Texas and Arizona
How are grassroots organizations mobilizing Latinos to go to the polls? What was the impact of Latino voters in the 2020 election in Texas and Arizona?
Banksy unveils new pandemic-inspired art featuring rats in face masks
His latest work, titled “If you don't mask - you don't get,” is set in London's Underground and features spray-painted rats sneezing, wearing masks and using hand sanitizer.
The Dalai Lama makes a bid for music chart stardom
The album "Inner World" has been in the making for five years. It contains mantras and Buddhist teachings from the Dalai Lama set to soothing music.