Cantú: Preserving Brownsville’s entrepreneurial legacy: The power of telling the full story

The storied history of American entrepreneurship is often presented as a hero’s journey of individuals like Ford, Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie. We celebrate their ingenuity in our textbooks, often overlooking the full context of their stories. Similarly, Thomas Edison’s invention of the lightbulb is widely known, while Nikola Tesla’s contributions are frequently overshadowed.

But what does this selective storytelling point to?

The narratives we accept as gospel are written by those who control resources, leaving out many crucial people, events, and contexts. Take Charles Stillman, for example. Those in Brownsville might recognize him as the founder of the city, but his name is less known beyond the region. Even less known is the story of the Cavazos family, who sold land to Stillman under dubious circumstances, leading to the Cortina Wars. These overshadowed stories are essential, showing the real impact of entrepreneurship.

Who gets to write these stories? Historically, it’s those in positions of privilege and power. They shape Brownsville’s narrative based on their vision, often excluding the broader community’s experiences.

My name is Rubén Cantú. I am the son of Mexican immigrants, a first-generation college student, a social impact entrepreneur, and a community catalyst. My success is intertwined with the opportunities this country has given me and the untold history of my heritage. As a Mexican American, I embrace both my Mexican roots and the opportunities the U.S. has provided.

My story is deeply personal. If my father had never crossed over to the U.S., I would have never received the opportunities this country has given me. If my adopted grandfather had not gone to fight in Korea, we would not have had the anchor point my father needed growing up to establish himself here. My father’s hard work and determination and my grandfather’s bravery and sacrifice have paved the way for my achievements today. These personal histories are integral to my narrative and the broader story of our community.

Entrepreneurship and the pursuit of a better life brought us here, yet formal entrepreneurial training remains inaccessible to many under-resourced communities. Like education, entrepreneurship is a key to creating wealth in this country. However, we must tell the whole story: entrepreneurs succeed within a community, relying on close ties, circulating wealth, and benefiting from supportive policies. We need a balanced perspective that uses our skills responsibly for future generations.

With 20 years of entrepreneurial experience and a background in technology commercialization and the startup space, I’ve helped build Austin’s social impact ecosystem. I co-founded Austin’s first social impact incubator, co-founded a social impact startup program for Title 1 schools, and co-founded the LevelUp Institute for college students. Over the past six years, I founded and have been the Executive Director of the Office of Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship in what was formerly the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. In that role, I founded two undergraduate programs targeting first-generation college students, students from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and those from diverse ethnicities.

My work has been recognized locally with Austin Under 40, nationally by President Biden’s Administration, and internationally by the United Nations for my efforts in nurturing and cultivating diverse entrepreneurs. I have had a chance to spark international communities on their entrepreneurial quests, such as in Quito, Ecuador, in 2014, which continues to yield dozens of startup companies from the time I visited and coached them.

My passion for truth, justice, and creating opportunities for the underserved has been key to my success. Now, we bring this spirit to Brownsville through LMNTS (Leadership, Management, Neural Networks, Technology, and Social Impact) and the Frontera Leadership Institute. This twelve-week program, in partnership with the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, certifies future product managers and leaders. We aim to recruit 20 young people from Brownsville to continue the legacy we started in Austin, tailored to this region’s rich opportunities.

Growing up, I frequently visited Brownsville to see family. I know this region and its potential. As my tenure at The University of Texas ends due to SB17 and the closure of the rebranded Division of Campus and Community Engagement, we bring renewed enthusiasm to Brownsville. We see the talent, hope, and opportunity here and want to support the young people’s journey of self-discovery and leadership mastery.

Our program, yielding phenomenal results, is ready to expand. Brownsville is the next boomtown, and with this opportunity comes preparation and responsibility. Having witnessed rapid gentrification in Austin, I understand the importance of writing a complete narrative for Brownsville, ensuring space for under-resourced talent.

We seek students aged 18-26 with some college experience, regardless of GPA or major. We want hardworking and “heart-working” individuals eager to enhance their leadership skills, develop as entrepreneurs, and learn product management. While the skills are tailored to tech startups, they are transferable across industries. Frontera Leadership Institute aims to develop full-hearted leaders proficient in technical skills and emotional intelligence.

Students will learn product management principles, agile methodologies, lean startup techniques, and human-centered design. They will also participate in leadership retreats, receive mentorship, tour tech companies, gain public speaking experience, and present at community showcases. This $5,000 twelve-week program is offered for free to 20 students in Brownsville. Applications are due by July 27th, and classes start on August 16th.

This unique opportunity, never offered in Brownsville, is our contribution to the region’s entrepreneurial future. We have the chance to write a new, inclusive story for Brownsville, one that encompasses the experiences of all communities, especially those often left out. By doing so, we ensure that Brownsville’s entrepreneurial legacy is rich, diverse, and representative of its true potential.

Join us in this journey. Let’s shape the future of Brownsville together. We can’t wait to meet the community and help seed the future tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Rubén Cantú, founder and executive director of LMNTS.

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