www.negociosnow.com
26 February 2017
Java Developer, STA Group
Working in Chicago com-
munities to empower Latinos
through technology education
is a difficult endeavor, but the
effort is facilitated when people
like David Martinez participate.
He is a software developer who
donates his time teaching and
building programs in science,
technology, engineering and
math, or STEM.
Chicago entrepreneurship
and technology innovation cen-
ter Blue1647 has benefitted from
David's contributions recruiting
students from the community,
hosting events for parents and
building on existing programs
at the center. He is passionate
about diversifying the technolo-
gy industry by offering his time
and knowledge to empower La-
tino youth for the next genera-
tion.
David's passion for em-
powerment and education
stems from his own background
as an undocumented immigrant
who grew up in Los Angeles. He
arrived to the U.S. from El Salva-
dor in 1988. Despite the standard
struggles most undocumented
immigrants have to endure, he
succeeded academically, going
on to attend the University of
California-Berkeley, and later
the California Polytechnic State
University-San Luis Obispo.
Even while working toward
graduation, David remained
committed to contributing to his
community. He became an ins-
tructor for Upward Bound, AVID,
and other science and technolo-
gy-focused programs during his
college years.
Since arriving in Chicago in
2013, David has quickly risen to
leadership positions in the city.
In addition to volunteering with
Blue 1647, he is the president of
the Cal Alumni Club of Chica-
go. He is also an active member
with the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra Overture Council,
Chicago Progress, and the So-
ciety of Hispanic Professional
Engineers.
"W
hat it takes to thrive goes
beyond what it takes
to survive. Surviving requires
immediate tactics, done out of
necessity. Thriving requires
dedicated strategies. Don't just
survive, aim to thrive."
David Martinez,
39
A software
developer
with a
penchant for
giving back
David Martinez,
39
A software
developer
with a
penchant for
giving back
