Once you have got the salsa steps try keeping those steps with a partner. Learning Latin dance may be a challenge but for men the real challenge may be learning to lead. The guys got to lead. I am not used to that. And there's no ethnic advantage with salsa dancing everyone starts with a few missteps.
Modern women have their own obstacles to overcome as well.
If you come to class as a couple there may be a few unexpected curves on the dance floor. Kim and Rich actually met in class and they work out the kinks. But if their salsa needs more mediation their merengue needs no discussion. That's a faster dance, but easier because there are fewer steps than salsa. A few years ago there were just a few places that played tropical music and even fewer places for Latin dancers.