Roy Juarez Jr.

Roy Juarez Jr. founded Americas Business Leaders a human development company in 2005 when he was just a freshman at Hardin-Simmons University. With a dream to inspire youth and reunite families Juarez began sharing his turbulent history to touch the lives of youth, educators, and parents.

As a young entrepreneur, Juarez has been able to develop a successful career, lecturing to thousands of youth, educators, and parents throughout the United States and abroad. Once a homeless teenager, Juarez fought the battle to leave the streets only to return to them after becoming a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University.

Juarez appeared on CNN with his mentor in a segment leading up to Latinos in America. His spell-binding story caught the attention of the well-established, New York Times bestseller, Chicken Soup of the Soul series. In August of 2009, Juarezs story appeared in their book Chicken Soup for the Soul: Extraordinary Teens.

Today Juarez is currently traveling on his MyBag, MyHome: Homeless by Choice Tour. What began as a 5 month, 30 city tour, from Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL has developed into a two and a half year journey of circling the country to inspire Americas youth and reunite families. Anywhere within a 5 hour radius of the tours preset locations; Juarez will speak probono for any educational facilities, shelters, organizations and/or companies that are willing to open their doors. He is Couch Surfing once again, but this time he is Homeless by Choice! His goal is to reach over 100,000 individuals with his personal message of hope, perseverance, and the importance of higher education.

Born and raised on the south side of San Antonio, TX, Juarez faced situations and obstacles that could have turned him into a negative statistic but he found a way to overcome those challenges. At the age of fourteen, Juarez was a high school drop-out and one of the hundreds of homeless youth on the streets of San Antonio. He carried with him only a duffle bag of personal items that he called a home. He moved from house to house to survive. Despite all that was working against him, he knew there was more to life which is why he never lost sight of his dreams!

Juarez serves as a role model for thousands of individuals through his work as an advocate for youth and higher education. His life experience inspires them to forgive, chase their dreams, and be the change they wish to see!

Never allow anyone to decide who you are, why you are, and when you will be that person that choice is for you alone!

• Roy Juarez Jr.

Keynote Topics: Motivation, Youth Challenges, Leadership, Personal Growth, Diversity, Change, Homelessness, Goal Setting and Mentorship