LATINO PRIDE:
CELEBRATING OUR PAST, EMBRACING OUR FUTURE

For 15 years, Dr. Cruz has criss-crossed the country, sharing with Latino students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and community and business leaders his refreshing perspectives on the American Dream, and a positive message about the significant contributions of Latinos in the U.S. He shares with his audiences a strategy for success and challenges them to write their own success stories.

Latinos are now the second largest majority in the United States. If we were to consider the U.S. Hispanic market as an independent economy, it would be the ninth largest economy in the world, with a GNP greater than that of Mexico, Spain or Brazil. Hispanics contribute to the culture, business life, economy, politics and overall fabric of the US. Latinos own close to two million businesses in the U.S. and an increasing number of Latino professionals lead some of the country’s most important corporations. In addition, great accomplishments in entertainment, the arts and sciences, and much-noted growth in political participation evidence the great love and commitment Latinos feel for the U.S.

Fortunately, all of these accomplishments are beginning to displace the negative stereotypes of the past. This seminar not only celebrates such achievements, but brings to the forefront some of our most inspiring success stories.

Hispanics face many challenges, particularly in education. Reducing the educational achievement gap is one of the nation’s most pressing concerns. Dr. Cruz challenges students and their families to build their own success story and achieve their American Dream, so that they too can become role models to future generations of Americans.

Skills imparted include:

• Accept 100% of the responsibility for your success
• It all begins with a dream and your commitment
• The challenges and responsibilities of a successful role model
• Continuing the path of those who came before us
• Five steps to reach your American Dream