Help Cesar graduate in May

I am supposed to graduate at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island on May 27th 2018 with an MBA. 

But often times the closest to the summit you are the harder the climb.

Not sure where to begin... about 10 years ago I had a stint with homelessness, it was one of the most challenging points of my life. I would ride the trains for shelter, sleep at friends’ houses and attempt to look normal as I went about my life. Being in New York City walking around with my belongings in trash bags, hiding possessions in the street, making daily decisions such as...do I buy a metrocard to get around ? or food? 

All this while attempting to finish school at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC). That was late 2007, till then my life has always been an uphill climb. I have been shot at, wrongfully arrested, and have experienced close friends murdered. Here is a TedxTalk of my full story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL_rb7zacTE&t=8s

I boot strapped my life and my journey continued. I left the Empire State for the Sunshine State to attend the University of South Florida where I double majored in Bio-Medical Science and Political Science as well as served as the elected Study Body President and University Trustee. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHQg1MfjzW4


I worked and volunteered on projects all over the world like Uganda

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXV5Q73zWZ8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FGnw4iVvLs


Represented the United States at the Education Without Borders global conference 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OZn4Bev2hM&list=PLDDnIQo18p8mEyA4uw4boS4_SUk3lB538


advocated for students in clever ways like speaking for 24hrs 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_e-mWCusnM&index=5&list=PLDDnIQo18p8mEyA4uw4boS4_SUk3lB538

Met with many elected officials on all levels 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUywVNlUDCA


went to work as a community organizer my last semester in college where I worked on issues like gun violence and economic development for our most sensitive and blighted communities. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Xsyf9r0ww&t=2s


as I started my career as an organizer I also began my journey as a young father, say hello to Cesar Jr.  My lil man! Unfortunately, things did not work out with his mom so I run around town on daddy day care mode with my lil man in hand. 

As an organizer and young father I realized that policy is a major way to change our communities for the better and for the future, so I went to work at City Hall in Tampa.

https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/article/20756754/former-usf-student-body-president-now-employed-at-tampa-city-hall


At City Hall I was able to prepare the packets for local committees that focused on transportation, economic development and innovation.

I caught the innovation bug and went to work on government relations  and business development projects at Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, here I worked with an amazing team to develop innovative transit projects such as Hyperlink ( the world’s first rideshare integration project with public transit and the electric vehicle manufacturer, Tesla) , Help launch autonomous vehicle corridors, interjurisdictional mobility projects, aided in launching the Beyond The Bus Campaign and ultimately helped solidify over 4 Million in transportation projects in Tampa. 

Tesla project
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5QJPXuLrEU

Beyond the bus campaign
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_34m1jyxwQ

Last year I was admitted into Brown Universities MBA program in partnership with IE Business School in Spain
(https://professional.brown.edu/emba/).

I could not believe it.

ME

the guy who was homeless, arrested, shot at, looked down on and slept in train stations.  

the guy that spent nights in the tombs of Brooklyn New York and almost faced 15 years in prison. Full story here. 

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/sunday-conversation-from-homeless-to-hartline-executive/2311192

I now had the opportunity to study at some of the best institutions in the world.  

I was also elected as one of the class representatives for our cohort. 

It was one of the best days of my life. 

What attracted me to the program was their focus on humanities and how to be sensitive to how technology is being deployed in our communities. This is such an important issue especially in this age of automation and technology. I wanted to be at the table when those conversations are being held so that I can be the voice of the community. 

I began to practice what they preached at IE Brown , as I was nearing completing my degree I launched a company with a little bit of seed money.  The company would focus on properly deploying new concepts, technologies and ideas into the world. 

Publicusgroup.com

Then the hustle continued, I would work, take care of my son, do my school work and launch a young company while looking forward to crossing the finish line in May. 

All was going well, I was preparing to graduate and focus on growing my company. 

But here came the challenge 

I was not eligible to receive a loan to get the necessary money to finalize tuition. I had already come up with around 90K personally through friends, family  fellowships etc. 

I applied for more fellowships, loans, personal loans, home equity lines of credit and  asked for cosigners...and nothing.  

I could not get the final amount necessary.  

I received an email from the school on February 13th that I had until February 20th to come up with the money or I would be dropped from the program. I struggled in secret to this point and attempted to deal with this on my own.

I have been blocked from my work and have come up with some cash but I am $20,000.00 short of my goal. 

The irony is that as an undergrad I helped raise money for other students through the USF Latino Scholarship Fund 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F381uaoAAUo

and for individuals who needed money for college.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoeJhwLIiU8

now, here I am looking for resources.

So here is my “Hail Mary” before I'm completely dropped.

It's taken me 10 years of school, experience, countless nights without sleep studying and going to work to get to this point, where I am 3 months away from graduation. 

So I’m asking for help to get across that stage as a graduate. 

This is an opportunity that will forever change my life. Furthermore, it will be a representation that no matter your circumstances you can become the product of your own motivation. 

Ernest Hemingway said:

“The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. “So here I am evoking my inner Dylan Thomas raging against the dying of the light!

So here's to the underdogs....since Philly beat the Patriots I think I have a shot.

I have also created some incentives

for every $2,000.00 you will come to my graduation as my guest at Brown University on May 27th, 2008.  With airfare included. 

for every $1,000.00 my team will build a website, build a branding strategy and social media campaign. Plus all other incentives listed. 

For every $500.00 one of the partners in my firm and public affairs savant Christian Leon will do a communications plan for a company or person.

for every $250 Serial Entrepreneur Roberto Torres President of The Blind Tiger Cafe and Black and Denim Clothing (who has been featured in Forbes and The Miami Herald) will do a 1 hour one on one session on entrepreneurship and launching a company.

for every $50 you will get  10 free cups of Coffee at the Blind Tiger Cafe 

for every $25 I will personally call you and thank you! 

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and your consideration in helping me out. 

In the spirit of great organizers and leaders throughout the conversation of history and reverence to God I am not eating till Tuesday or till I meet my goal. 

So if you see me bring me a cup of water.  Thank you!