"Achieving the American Dream for Latinos in the U.S."

IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Martin Castro, President and CEO of Castro Synergies, LLC, will speak on "Achieving the American Dream for Latinos in the U.S.: Educational, Entrepreneurial & Electoral Empowerment" as part of the Multicultural Speaker Series of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC).

The presentation will be held 7:45 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the MetroLINK Centre Station, 1200 River Drive, Moline, IL. Admittance for the event, which includes breakfast, is $20 for non-members, $15 for GQCHCC members, and $10 for students. To find out more or to register for the event, visit www.gqchcc.com/Speaker_Series or call (309) 797-8650.

The Multicultural Speaker Series provides an opportunity for attendees to enhance cultural awareness, fulfill diversity education needs, increase integration into the community, and expand networks across community sectors. The series is suggested for entrepreneurs, chief diversity officers, human resources and training personnel, government decision-makers, financial services professionals, marketing executives, college/university administrators and faculty, and non-profit organization leaders.

An Illustrious Career

"We are honored to have Mr. Castro as our speaker," said Lee Vasquez, Executive Director of the GQCHCC. "During his illustrious career, he has worked to help others and also encouraged the business world to work in harmony with the multicultural community."

Martin Castro is the President and CEO of Castro Synergies, LLC, which provides strategic consulting services to corporations, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations seeking to have a positive social impact on diverse communities.

Castro is also President, Co-Founder and serves on the corporate board of directors of New Futuro, LLC. New Futuro is a purpose-driven company providing Latino families with the knowledge, guidance and the professional social network they need to get Latino youth into college and beyond.

In January 2011, Castro became a Commissioner at the United States Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR), and was named as Chairperson the following March. He is the agency's eighth Chair and the first Latino Chairperson in USCCR history. The USCCR is an independent, bipartisan, fact-finding commission, which informs the development of national civil rights policy and enhances enforcement of federal civil rights laws.

For more information on the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gqchcc.com or call (309) 797-8650.

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ABOUT THE GREATER QUAD CITIES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) is the only organization in the Quad Cities created to address the specific needs of the Hispanic business community. The GQCHCC serves the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.

The mission of the GQCHCC is to support, promote and enhance the growth and success of local businesses, and to leverage the community's assets, contributions and unique Hispanic cultural identity to generate new business opportunities. The GQCHCC welcomes businesses, organizations, and individuals from any cultural background to join this community-minded organization.

In September 2012, the GQCHCC received national recognition as the winner of the 2012 Small Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) celebrated three Hispanic chambers from across the nation for their accomplishments, contributions, and commitment to helping the Hispanic-owned businesses in their communities.