College of DuPage Reaches Out to Latino Youth with Inspiring Celebrity Speakers

Latino Student Visit Day at College of DuPage will take place on Monday, April 25, with guest speakers Robert Renteria, Chicago businessman and author of the memoir From the Barrio to the Board Room and Michael Reyes, poet and artist featured on HBO Latino's Habla Series, at 9 a.m. in SRC 2800.

The free event will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Student Resource Center, Room 2800. High school juniors and seniors are welcome to attend and should speak with their guidance counselors to sign up for the visit. Over 350 high school students will be in attendance for the event.

"It's an opportunity for Latino students to learn about College of DuPage and what we offer," said Saraliz Jimenez, Coordinator of the Latino Center. "It's also a chance for them to see how a college education can open up so many doors." This is one of many ways that College of DuPage is trying to reach out to the Latino community and inspire young Latino's to pursue their dreams and education.

Renteria will speak at 9 a.m. His memoir, From the Barrio to the Board Room, urges youth to replace violence, gangs and drugs with education, accomplishment and self esteem. Renteria was raised in an East Los Angeles barrio. As a teenager, he used drugs, dropped out of high school, and worked one job after another. After learning his estranged father died on skid-row, Renteria returned to school, joined the military, moved to Chicago and eventually became corporate vice president of a publicly traded company. In 2010, Renteria was named Chicago Latino Professional of the Year by the Chicago Latino Network.

Michael Reyes poet and artist is currently touring the country with his play Crime Against Humanity, co- written by former Puerto Rican Political Prisoner, Luis Rosa. Reyes has played the role of actor, writer and director for the play. Crime Against Humanity has received incredible community support and it is scheduled to tour until September 2010. He is notably known for his ability to combine history, current events and performance, into a fusion of education and entertainment. Reyes uses his words to challenge and confront the many social problems faced by communities of color. His work is inspiring and brings a new contemporary twist and form of entertainment for young Latinos.

For more information, call (630) 942-3039 or e-mail jimene@cod.edu.
Robert Renteria, www.fromthebarrio.com
Michael Reyes, www.reyespoetry.com