Author Genre: Reality Novels and Comics
Website: From the Barrio to the Board Room
E-Mail: robert@fromthebarrio.com
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Author Description:
Robert J. Renteria, Jr. is a successful businessman turned author of "From the Barrio to the Board Room, Mi Barrio and Little Barrio" who is using his books and curricula with youth across America and many communities around the world, to replace violence, delinquency, gangs and drugs with education, pride, accomplishment, and self esteem.
Robert has dedicated his life to sharing his story with millions of others so that they, too, can help break the vicious cycle of poverty through hard work, determination and education. His book series and the accompanying school based and faith based curriculum's, are forming our "leaders of tomorrow" by helping them to find their identity, establish core values, set goals for themselves, prioritize education, and strive to reach their full potential.
Renteria has been the keynote speaker at the Hispanic Heritage Reception for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, where he was recognized for his achievements as a civic leader and Latino author. He has also presented at the Illinois Association of School Social Workers, McDonald's Hamburger University, the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association annual conference, the Hispanic National Bar Association in Chicago, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation, the 40th and 41st Annual Rainbow Push Coalition Conferences, and the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He has been profiled in major media, including USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Investor's Business Daily, The Chicago Sun Times, NBC 5, WGN, Univision, and Chicago Public Radio. Robert has worked with political figures (at the local, state and national level) as a "Latino" voice. He has been supported by business owners, corporations, University Professors, and middle and high school teachers and principals who share his universal message that everyone has the right to live the American Dream!
Robert's Awards:
2013 - PUSH Excel Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for his work as a Civil Rights Leader
2013 - Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Educational Reform
2012 - Latino Literacy Now 2012 International Book Award recipient of the BEST comic/graphic novel across Latin America, Spain and the USA addressing youth issues
2012 - Award Recipient from Congressman Danny Davis for his work Supporting Education and Anti-Violence.
2011 - Sole Recipient of Central Asia Institute's Outstanding International Humanitarian Award
SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author
First things first. Let’s start with what’s next. Do you have another Novel or Comic on the horizon? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?
Yes, we are in the process of developing a super hero comic book named "El Barrio", we are scheduled for release for Christmas 2013. El Barrio will be a super hero that is a power of influence, a comic book that teaches character and help with our kids critical thinking skills.
You have a good following on Facebook. How important have your social media relationships been? Do you see a carry over to your writing success?
Social media is essential if you are looking for a global reach. We have received lots of attention from the media as a result because Barrio are tools that are helping our kids that are walking around lost in a culture of darkness. I believe that social media has helped me in my writing success.
You do a lot of speaking and personal appearances? When and where is the next place your readers and followers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?
I have done several speaking engagements and also multiple books signings across the country over the past five years. We are currently working on a tour to visit 10 states over the next 12 months hitting 100 schools in total and delivering Barrio books to over 50,000 students. People can follow me on my website: www.fromthebarrio.com and also facebook. You can learn more about The Barrio Movement simply by typing my name on Google.
You have great covers. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development? That could be a good project.
The general idea is molded from images from my past and shared with my publisher, he and his team then jumps in and brings my visions to life. The readers do not get involved with the book cover process at-least not yet.
You have several great videos. (See links below.) Tell us about the process that you used to create your videos? They look very professional.
The video's have typically been taken live and in real time. We have had photographers and video coverage shooting at various events.
Between your book writing, blogging, marketing, family and all the other things that can get in your way, how do you manage your time? Do you have a set schedule or do your sort of play it by ear?
We stay extremely busy and because I am single with no kids that makes it possible for me to help kids across America and in many communities around the world. It is truly a labor of love.
Has the advent of ebooks changed anything in your writing, your marketing and the relationship with your readers and fans?
I believe the ebook world will only enhance our exposure and reach other demographics deal more with technology who do not have to time to sit and read the print copies of the Barrio book series.
What has been your experience in giving your books away free? What was your main goal in doing this?
I have given away over 20,000 books personally (100,000 plus in circulation) to underfunded schools and social service agencies. My goal has been, is and will continue to be to put the Barrio books into the hands of as many kids as possible! And to exchange the Barrio books for all the gun's, knives, drugs, needles, booze and even the cigarettes.
Have you considered publishing your novels as Audio Books?
Actually yes, we are all set and ready to go. Just need the money to get that project off the ground.
The ‘From the Barrio Foundation’ is working with the schools around the country to implement From the Barrio to the Classroom, a dynamic two week curriculum/teacher’s guide. Tell our readers how they can get involved in your Sponsor a Classroom project.
We offer a FREE school based and faith based curricula to all schools, social services, jails, youth detention centers, churches and all youth based organizations. We need your support financially to help deliver The Barrio Program to our teens and at-risk youth so that we together can help inspire and motivate them to make better life choices. We are a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization so your donation is tax deductible.
To get involved and help us to help our kids please call me personally at: 312-933-5619 or email me at: robert@fromthebarrio.com
Again, to learn more visit our website at: www.fromthebarrio.com
Also Google Robert Renteria to learn more about The Barrio Movement!
Author's Book List
Little Barrio
- The Coloring BookROBERT RENTERIA'S book "From the Barrio to the Board Room" and his graphic novel "Mi Barrio from Smartercomics" have both resonated with audiences worldwide. The graphic novel, which has won numerous awards, was created when principals and teachers told Robert that he needed to reach kids at a younger age. Now, these same principals and teachers have asked Robert to help engage children in this conversation when they are even younger. And so Little Barrio, the activity coloring book has been born. All of Robert's books are his way of reaching out to the people he can't meet personally. Little Barrio stays true to Robert's experiences and the lessons he teaches young people about hard work, persistence, education and family. For more information about Robert and the From the Barrio Foundation, please visit www.fromthebarrio.com or Google "Robert Renteria."
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From the Barrio to the Board Room
- Reaching out to help those who are chasing the American Dream!Click to open expanded view Search inside this book Share 25 used & new from $0.12 See All Buying Options Have one to sell? Sell yours here Tell the Publisher! I'd like to read this book on Kindle Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App. From the Barrio to the Board Room: Reaching out to help those who are chasing the American Dream! [Paperback] Robert Renteria (Author), Corey Michael Blake (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This item is only available from third-party sellers (see all offers.) Available from these sellers. 7 new from $10.55 18 used from $0.12 Click to open expanded view Search inside this book Share 25 used & new from $0.12 See All Buying Options Have one to sell? Sell yours here Tell the Publisher! I'd like to read this book on Kindle Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App. From the Barrio to the Board Room: Reaching out to help those who are chasing the American Dream! [Paperback] Robert Renteria (Author), Corey Michael Blake (Author) 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This item is only available from third-party sellers (see all offers.) Available from these sellers. 7 new from $10.55 18 used from $0.12 Go to "From the Barrio to the Board Room: Reaching out to help those who are chasing the American Dream!" page 5.0 out of 5 stars Today Robert Renteria is a successful business owner and civic leader, but he grew up as an infant sleeping in a dresser drawer. This poignant and often hard-hitting memoir traces Robert's life from a childhood of poverty and abuse in one of the poorest areas of East Los Angeles, to his proud emergence as a business owner today.
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Mi Barrio
Comic Based on the book From the Barrio to the Board Room in English or Spanish. Don't let where you came from dictate who you are, but let it be part of who you become. Successful entrepreneur Robert Renteria grew up sleeping in a dresser drawer. This hard-hitting comic memoir traces Robert's life from a childhood of poverty and abuse in one of the poorest areas of East Los Angeles, to his emergence as a business owner and civic leader today.
Book Trailer: Mi Barrio
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