At the core of our mission lies the unwavering commitment to elevate the lives of individuals who call South Carolina their home. We believe that prosperity knows no bounds, and it is this belief that fuels our dedication to empowering every member of our community.
When we find individuals who have principles that align with our organizational values, the impact is amplified.
Meet Pedro Escobar, a young entrepreneur and second-generation immigrant. He jumped at the opportunity to nurture and empower the next generation of leaders in South Carolina.
Pedro’s journey begins in Brooklyn, New York, where his parents, immigrants from Honduras, arrived in 1979, seeking the promise of a better life. Proudly a first-generation American, Pedro acknowledges the sacrifices his parents made to provide opportunities in a new land.
Reflecting on his upbringing, Pedro shares, “My parents both worked very hard jobs. They had great work ethic. They still do.” Yet, the challenges of immigrant life meant limited involvement in Pedro’s education as they focused on survival.
Pedro’s awareness of the Hispanic Alliance and their dedication to fostering leadership inspired him to become a mentor for the Student DREAMers Alliance (SDA). “I understand what these young men and women are going through. Many of them are going through the same hardships that I went through, and some are going through way worse than I encountered,” he empathizes.
Driven by the desire to bridge educational gaps, Pedro joined SDA, aiming to guide young minds toward success in information technology. “If I can fast-track some young person’s goal to work in I.T., if I can help them out in any way, I thought that I can be that person.”
Pedro emphasizes the importance of giving back, stating, “Now that I’ve achieved the American dream of not only going to college, but some would say is, you know, to go to an Ivy League school, that’s something that I made it a point to do. I want folks that look like me to be able to achieve the same success, if not more.”
Paired with a young entrepreneur named Edwin, Pedro witnessed the transformative power of mentoring. “His confidence has skyrocketed!” Pedro exclaims, highlighting the joy of empowering someone to believe in their abilities.
In three conversations, Pedro observed Edwin’s growth and emphasizes the significance of empowerment in mentoring. “Not only just giving someone the tools, but helping them believe that they can do it themselves.” Pedro encourages a mindset of seeking help and embracing challenges.
As Pedro shares his experiences, he underscores the mission’s universality, transcending language barriers. “Struggle is universal. It doesn’t matter what language you speak, but it’s important to have conduits like myself that can speak both languages and understand and be a part of both worlds.”
In closing, Pedro expresses his commitment to the mission, stating, “You can change the life of just one person, and changing the life of one person is enough. But guess what? It’s going to snowball. That life that you change that one person, it’s going to affect his or her family. And then they, in turn, will also do the same to help their community.”
Pedro Escobar’s story embodies the spirit of empowerment and community building, resonating with the Hispanic Alliance’s mission to create pathways for success.
