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In this edition of Club Kids Radio, author Robert Renteria "From the Barrio to the Board Room" joined Harv Roman on Chicago's WCEV 1450 AM. Harv was joined by former Club Kid (and now Professor at DePaul University) Christina Figueroa for a very important conversation which even prompted Chicago comedian/actor Ricky Carmona to join in. Club Kids Radio airs every Sunday morning from 10am to 11am central on WCEV 1450 AM, with a live stream on wcev1450.com and of course click on demand here on wakeupdancing.com . Here's more information on Robert Renteria...

Robert J. Renteria, Jr., a successful businessman turned author, is challenging individuals and organizations to help put copies of his empowering memoir, From the Barrio to the Board Room, into the hands of at least 1 million at-risk youth. Robert keynoted the Hispanic Heritage Reception for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White in September of 2009, where he was also awarded for his achievements as a Latino author. Robert is supported by political figures at the state and national level, University Professors, and middle school teachers who share his universal message that everyone has the right to live the American Dream. Renteria came from humble beginnings, growing up in an impoverished East L.A. barrio and was abandoned by his drug and alcohol addicted father. As a teenager, he became involved with a tough street crowd, used and dealt drugs, dropped out of high school, and went from one dead-end job to another. Upon learning that his estranged father had died on skid-row, Robert resolved to start making better choices in his life. After honorably serving seven years in the United States Army, he moved to Chicago and talked his way into a job at a laundry management and sales company that eventually led to a position as vice president of a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. His success convinced him to strike off on his own, and he has now dedicated his life to sharing his story with thousands of other people around the world so that they, too, can help break the vicious cycle of poverty through hard work, determination and education. He is the Chairman of the From the Barrio Foundation and has given keynote addresses to the Hispanic National Bar Association in Chicago, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation, and the Chicago Public Schools. He has been profiled in major media, including Univision, La Raza, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, Hoy, WGN Adelante Chicago, WGN Midday News, a dozen radio stations and numerous newspapers and magazines.

Schools
The From the Barrio Foundation is currently working with Chicago Public Schools to design and implement a school curriculum around From the Barrio to the Board Room that has been piloted as of May, 2009. In the fall of 2009, more than 1000 students will participate in the curriculum. Additional schools are already signing up, implementing the curriculum, and participating in data collection and evaluation that will continue to develop the program.  Teachers and administrators interested in working with the From the Barrio Foundation should contact us here.

 

The From the Barrio Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation committed to using Robert’s life, business experience, and role as a civic leader to help eliminate conditions that foster violence, delinquency, drugs, and gangs. The book From the Barrio to the Board Room is a tool and Robert Renteria is a resource who promotes education, a sense of pride and accomplishment, and self-esteem within the youth of our communities. The From the Barrio Foundation will continue and expand upon Robert’s work to inspire and motivate our teens and at-risk youth, as well as anyone chasing the American Dream, so they can make the choices necessary to realize their personal goals and accept the obligation and responsibility of effectively mentoring others.

We’re raising money for education! Your donation goes directly to placing the book into the hands of our youth through schools, programs and organizations across America who cannot otherwise afford to purchase books.

With so many schools, programs, churches and other organizations underfunded, the From the Barrio Foundation created the Barrio Book Drive to assist in the raising of funds to purchase books. Through the selling of book donation tickets — provided by the foundation — students, teachers, organizations and volunteers can enlist the support of their community to pull in this teaching tool. All donations go directly to the sponsoring organization’s discounted purchase of books.

For more information on the Barrio Book Drive and Robert Renteria, please contact us at www.fromthebarrio.com .