One man’s 95-mile journey to the United States began at age 9, crossing the Florida Strait in search of freedom and opportunity.
“I came from Cuba when I was 9 years old,” said George Fowler.
Though Cuba is geographically close to the U.S., Fowler said it was far from the minds of his classmates when he arrived.
“I went to Fort Lauderdale Bay View Elementary,” said Fowler. “I spoke Spanish; nobody in the entire class even knew what Cuba was.”
Fowler understood early on that education was the key to achieving the American dream. He immersed himself in learning, including mastering multiple languages.
“Teach your children how to speak other languages,” said Fowler. “You should learn English, Spanish, and French, and any other language you could possibly, so your world is bigger, and you can go anywhere.”
His dedication paid off, leading to a successful career as a maritime attorney that has taken him across the globe.
“I had an office in China, in Beijing, for 10 years,” said Fowler. “My whole career as a maritime attorney has taken me all over the world.”
Fowler’s groundbreaking work in maritime law includes partnerships with major cruise lines such as Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, and Viking.
“Yeah, I broke ground; my practice broke barriers,” said Fowler.
Beyond his professional achievements, Fowler’s legacy is defined by his philanthropic efforts through the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife, Christine.
“I started it with my wife Christine,” said Fowler. “My job was to get the companies to give us money, and they did.”
The foundation raises funds for scholarships to support Latino students excelling in school.
“No one comes to the event for free because this money goes directly to Latin American children who need it and who are successful in school,” Fowler said.
The annual Azúcar Ball, a vibrant celebration of Latin culture and achievement, is a cornerstone of the foundation’s fundraising efforts.
While Fowler celebrates the Latin spirit through the ball, his lifelong mission remains the liberation of his homeland.
“I’ve spent my whole life trying to get the dictators out of Cuba,” said Fowler. “I started when I was 9 or 10.”
His experiences are detailed in his memoir, “My Cuba Libre,” where he shares his hope for a free Cuba.
“I just want my country to be free,” said Fowler.
Fowler’s advocacy has connected him to high levels of American government, where he has worked to hold Cuban leaders accountable.
“Finally got the indictment of Raul Castro for murder,” said Fowler.
As a businessman and philanthropist, Fowler continues to give back, funding nearly 2,000 scholarships for Latino students.
“We’re close to 2,000 scholarships,” said Fowler.
Despite his busy career, Fowler remains committed to supporting future generations of Latino scholars and pressing for change in Cuba.
READ MORE:Celebrating Hispanic Success: One man shares his journey achieving American Dream
