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Robert Renteria, Chairman

Robert J. Renteria, Jr., a successful businessman turned author, is challenging individuals and organizations to help put copies of his empowering memoir, From the Barrio to the Board Room, into the hands of at least 1 million at-risk youth. Robert keynoted the Hispanic Heritage Reception for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White in September of 2009, where he was also awarded for his achievements as a Latino author. He also presented at the Illinois Association of School Social Workers and will appear at 2010 at the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association annual conference. Robert is supported by political figures at the state and national level, University Professors, and middle school teachers who share his universal message that everyone has the right to live the American Dream. Renteria came from humble beginnings, growing up in an impoverished East L.A. barrio and was abandoned by his drug and alcohol addicted father. As a teenager, he became involved with a tough street crowd, used and dealt drugs, dropped out of high school, and went from one dead-end job to another. Upon learning that his estranged father had died on skid-row, Robert resolved to start making better choices in his life. After honorably serving seven years in the United States Army, he moved to Chicago and talked his way into a job at a laundry management and sales company that eventually led to a position as vice president of a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. His success convinced him to strike off on his own, and he has now dedicated his life to sharing his story with thousands of other people around the world so that they, too, can help break the vicious cycle of poverty through hard work, determination and education. He is the Chairman of the From the Barrio Foundation and has given keynote addresses to the Hispanic National Bar Association in Chicago, the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation, and the Chicago Public Schools. He has been profiled in major media, including Univision, La Raza, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, Hoy, WGN Adelante Chicago, WGN Midday News, a dozen radio stations and numerous newspapers and magazines.

Corey Blake, Chief Executive Officer

Corey Blake’s writing and visionary work has been published in Writer and Script magazines, and has been featured on Fox News, NBC5, Sacramento and Co, WGN (2x’s), and in print such as Young Money, Hoy, La Raza, Hispanic Executive Quarterly, MovieMaker magazine, Dance Spirit magazine, Backstage West (3x’s) and Hollywood Scriptwriter magazine. Prior to writing, Corey worked in Hollywood as a commercial and voice-over actor starring in campaigns for McDonalds, Mountain Dew, Pepsi, Wrigley’s, Hasbro, Miller, Mitsubishi and the infamous Yard Fitness, where Corey plays basketball naked. Corey also appeared on shows such as The Shield, Fastlane, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Diagnosis Murder, Joan of Arcadia, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch before he produced The Boy Scout and Redirect and directed and produced Gretchen Brettschneider Skirts Thirty and Unsuitable, all for Elevation 9000 Films. He is the co-author of EDGE! A Leadership Story (finalist, National Best Books 2008 Awards) with Bea Fields and Eva Silva Travers, Excalibur Reclaims Her King with Angelica Harris and From the Barrio to the Board Room with Robert Renteria.  Corey is the Chief Executive Officer of the From the Barrio Foundation. An avid speaker, Corey’s next appearance is at the Chicago Principals and Administrators annual conference. He has presented at the Illinois Association of School Social Workers annual conference, the Society of Southwestern Authors, 2008 Wrangling with Writing Conference, the 93rd Annual Missouri Writers’ Guild Conference, the Virginia Reading Association (with Angelica Harris), Screenwriting Expo (Los Angeles Convention Center), Cinespace (Hollywood), Avalon (Hollywood), The Ivar (Hollywood-The Make A Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles), Spring into Romance Writing Festival (San Diego), Jack London Writer’s Conference, and the Midwest Literary Festival (Chicago).

Cheryl Maraffio, Executive Vice President
After spending twenty years as an executive in the securities and commodities industry, Cheryl was catapulted from the corporate world to the “community service” world in October, 2000 when she learned that her son had been shot during a random act of gang violence.  As her son lay dying in the emergency room she promised him that through his death positive things would result, because she realized that some of our youth have lost their way, and therefore live in darkness. Committed to helping every youth (she can) realize their hopes and dreams, she has been a community activist working to end violence, and helping to empower our youth. Cheryl has been credited as the driving force behind several community programs and activities that encourage and mentor positive life choices by our youth, including her involvement as the co-chair of the Aurora Cares Corporation Media Committee that Executive Produced the Telly Award winning documentary “We Together.” The Documentary uses firsthand accounts to demonstrate how street gangs operate, the danger signs children display when they become involved, and the wealth of Fox Valley organizations that offer services for those affected by street gangs.    Cheryl hosts a local television program that features prevention and intervention activities in the community that promote healthy choices and she has been a guest speaker at several local and state events and agencies, including the Illinois Attorney General’s Victim’s Assistance Academy Training. Because her work is so passionate, she has received recognition from St. Nicholas Catholic Church, United Way’s Rita Anderson Smith Award, “Do The Right Thing” – Quad County Urban League, Picnic For Peace Recognition Award – YWCA, City of Aurora Volunteer Recognition, and East Aurora Weed & Seed.  Cheryl is currently committed to the From the Barrio mission, and is an active member of the Board of Directors.

Writers of the Round Table Press, Publisher
Writers of the Round Table Press is the publishing division of The Round Table Companies Inc., a strategic communications partner to individuals and companies looking to impact lives in a positive way and on a massive scale. Utilizing the expertise of Writers of the Round Table, Designers of the Round Table, and Writers of the Round Table Press, The Round Table Companies build and manage creative brands towards their tipping point and beyond. See a case study of our work with the From the Barrio here.