Rueben Martinez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rueben Martinez
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Martinez in 1993
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| Born | April 16, 1940 Miami, Arizona |
| Occupation | Barber, bookseller |
| Nationality | American |
Rueben Martinez was born on April 26, 1940, in Miami, Arizona. He is an American businessman and community leader. He is well-known for his barbershop and his special bookstore in Santa Ana, California. This bookstore focuses on books for and about Latino people.
Contents
Early Life and Moving to California
When Rueben Martinez was seventeen, he decided to leave his small hometown in Arizona. He felt there were more opportunities for him in Southern California. He found a job at a large steel factory and went to night school at Santa Ana College. He also got married and started a family.
Even though he was doing well, Martinez felt like he hadn't found the right job for him. He tried different jobs in Southern California. In the late 1970s, he used his savings to open his own barbershop in downtown Santa Ana. He worked as a barber full-time for over twenty years.
A Barbershop and a Bookstore
Rueben Martinez's barbershop in Santa Ana, California, became a popular meeting spot in Orange County. He cared a lot about his community and helped other small business owners. He also got involved in local politics, especially helping Latino communities. He even represented his community at important political meetings.
In 1993, Martinez had a new idea that started small but grew into something big. He noticed that there weren't many bookstores in California that focused on Latino culture. So, he started collecting books about Latino and Chicano artists and authors. He sold these books right out of his barbershop!
Soon, his collection of books grew too large for the barbershop. He moved his book business to an empty store nearby. This new place became Librería Martinez Books & Art Gallery. He also opened Libros Para Niños, which is a children's bookstore. These bookstores became famous across the country for showing off Latino writers and artists. Rueben Martinez works hard to make sure children can find books that reflect their culture and encourages kids of all ages to read.
National Recognition for His Work
In 2004, Rueben Martinez received a special award called the MacArthur Fellowship. This award is sometimes called a "genius grant." The committee that chose him said he was honored for "combining the roles of a marketplace and a community center." They recognized how he helped people love literature and kept Latino literary history alive.
See Also
- Mexican American writers
