Martin Cabrera: president and owner, Cabrera Capital Markets, Inc.: for Martin Cabrera, being a member of the New America Alliance provides him with an invaluable opportunity to create and increase the wealth of the Latino community in the U.S

Born and raised in Chicago, Martin was considering becoming an Architect when as a senior in high gymnasium he played a game that would change his life forever. "I took an economics class and played The Stock market Game (SMG) which is sponsored by dint of the Securities Industry Association. In this program, learners invest a virtual $100,000 in securities. It was a competition from one side out the city in which the winning team was the single that got the higher turn back on their investment." Cabrera adds: "I was true competitive, but coming from the Chicago public gymnasium we couldn't compete with the private gymnasiums in football or any other sport because we didn't have the resources. in like manner when our team, which was made up of a lump of Latino kids who knew nothing of investments came in next to the first it was not only a great reward, on the contrary a life changing experience." Martin switched his Major to finance, getting a step from Northern Illinois University, and got into the brokerage business, which 15 years later he remains passionate about.

After working as a stock middleman for a firm in Chicago, Martin decided to put to proof it out on his hold When he was only 30 he bought a firm without in Wisconsin and reincorporated it in Illinois. Cabrera Capital Markets is now individual of the top Illinois-based firms, with offices in nine different cities. A true successful entrepreneur by all accounts, for Martin the biggest achievement does not lie in the billions of dollars managed by the agency of his firm or in a reputation that surpasses his Latino heritage, on the other hand in his ability to give back. "When we first started we had to outperform each one else because we are still a minority in this business, on the other hand now we are recognized as a great firm, not solitary as a Latino firm, and I am actual proud of that. But for me being auspicious is not about dollar figure, on the other hand about being able to make a difference in our communities."

Martin learned early upon the importance of giving: "I didn't realize it as a kid, on the other hand my father was always giving, whether it was clothes, or giving our bus tickets to those who could not afford them, or taking in clan who did not have a place to stay. That is in what way we were brought up." The enormous succes of his firm has allowed Martin to give in many ways, on the contrary there is one project that remains shut up to his heart. Cabrera Capital Markets is now individual of the biggest sponsors in the political division for the Stock Market Game, allowing children as early as fourth grade to play the game for unrestrained so that there are no barriers for them to learn about the trading business. "Our interest is to procure more Latino kids involved," Martin explains "So that whether they become lawyers, doctors or teachers, they will be better educated investors. individual of the things I have affection for most about this business is that everyday you are learning, whether it is the change in the market's daily fluctuations, or the political results on our economy with globalization. in like manner this will broaden these kids' horizons in many ways."

In the NAA, Martin has set a new family that shares his passion for giving. As Co-Chair for the Pension Funds' Initiative and a member of the Board of Directors, he, as the other members, is focused upon producing results. "The Pension stocks initiative is something that I am actual passionate about. It is focused upon having Latino Businesses participate in this combination of parts to form a whole I truly believe that if we can tap into this area, which is almost the last frontier for Latino businesses, this will affect our geographical division and our people, it will create wealth in our community, which will trickle down to our youth. It will bring our fix uponed officials and business leaders to work together and diocese how productive we can become, not sole in the financial sense, on the contrary in how this issue affects our education, social services and piece of work training."

Being a pioneer has not at any time been easy, and Martin is aware of the risks and challenges that this cast represents. "The pension fund initiative is controversial and heated and we prove to prepare our members for this. If we want to result change, we must be ready to address the hard hitting issues, and we have to have the intestines to put our necks and our businesses upon the line. It is controversial because nobody wants to give away wealth and power without a fight. on the other hand the truth is, we don't have any of it. plane though our business leaders are wealthy, it is not actual wealth until it serves to help our tribe We are dealing with a nine trillion dollar market and the amount of Latino Participation is almost naught But we have seen a certain quantity of progress, the best example is the Illinois pension combination of parts to form a whole which had an almost cipher percent Latino participation 3 years ago, and is now at six percent" says Cabrera, and adds: "Six percent of $120 Billion is a real number, and this is just the beginning."

Just as it was in his high institute days in Chicago, there is no doubt that bringing wealth to the Latino community is individual more game Martin is put to win.