CES > News and Events > Ruebèn Martinez – Choosing to Make a Difference
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| Thursday April 23, 2009 | |
Ruebèn Martinez – Choosing to Make a Difference |
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 After 40 years as a successful barber in Santa Ana, California, Ruebèn Martinez, moved by a passion for reading and a concern for the lack of readers in the United States, founded a small business – Martinez Books and Art Gallery – out of his barbershop. Although his bookstore was also very successful, Martinez was motivated by something much more meaningful than his own success: the power of the book. His bookstore became a place where students and non-students could be encouraged and empowered to read and pursue higher education, and a nucleus for cultural and community events promoting the benefits of reading to the Hispanic community.His sphere of influence and activity has grown immensely, and continues to expand nationally. Martinez co-founded the Latino Book and Family Festival, which travels to several American cities each year, motivating Spanish-speaking people to read. He has been featured on PBS, and was awarded the prestigious MacArthur fellowship in 2004, for his support of underserved populations. Ruebèn Martinez has been designated a Presidential Fellow of Chapman University, and resides in the College of Educational Studies. As a Chapman-designated spokesperson for encouraging Latinos to pursue higher education, particularly in the areas of math and science, Martinez will be a wonderful ambassador for encouraging students to pursue teaching credentials in these high demand areas. |
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