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A Sense of Possibility: The Education of Ruben Navarrette
As a Mexican American who went to public schools in Central California, graduated from Harvard twice, and then managed to land my dream job, Navarette is a success story. After meeting him and hearing him talk about his educational experiences, educators should walk away newly inspired about the power of their profession-- convinced that they can make a difference in any child's life in the same way that a handful of teachers made a difference in his. Delivered from the vantage point of a former substitute teacher at the K-12 level, his story should also remind teachers that Latino students - for all their challenges - can learn and excel and distinguish themselves academically, and that all teachers need to do is to find ways to make learning fun and inspire students of all colors to do their best. That means setting expectations high, and not making excuses when students fall short of them.


Take a Risk, Live your Dream: A Motivational Speech for
College Students


As a 35-year-old who is still building his career, and not a retiree looking back on it, Navarette is uniquely positioned to inspire audiences of young people to determine what their passion is and pursue it with all they've got. The message: never stop taking risks. Never be comfortable or settle. Never set your goals too low. Never deny your passion or delay pursuing it. And never, ever give up. Take it from someone who, with Harvard degree, made $12,000 in 1996 and 10 times that just five years later - all by following those five principles. A perfect message for freshman orientation, or senior week events.


Tapping the Hispanic Market: 37 Million Hispanics, $500 Billion/Year & You


With the buying power of Hispanics expected to continue to increase into the trillions, every company and corporation in America naturally says they want to attract Hispanic consumers. But wanting to attract customers and doing what's necessary to do so are two different things. Companies fall into three categories; the true believers willing to spend millions to attract that customer base; the fence sitters who say they want those customers but they don't really want to be seen as pandering to that market; and the clueless who aren't really in the game and who may never be. The first group doesn't need help. The last one is beyond help. This talk is targeted to the group in the middle, and it tries to convince them that penetrating the Hispanic market isn't just something that happens. It takes effort, faith, and investment. It takes knowing how to do the right thing, and avoid doing the wrong thing. It takes hard work. But the rewards are phenomenal given that Hispanics, once you have them as customers, are notoriously brand loyal. Get 'em now, and you'll keep 'em for a while.


Affirmative Distraction: Why a Harvard Latino Opposes Racial Preferences


Immigrant Nation: How Latino Immigration will Change America for the Better - and You Along With It.