Gary Acosta’s Weekly Blog

Featuring Gary’s take on the economy, politics, sports and Latino culture

Gary Acosta is an entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for the Latino business community. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), the largest Latino business organization in the nation with more than 58,000 members and 100 local chapters. He is also the Co-Founder of AVANCE Global, an event platform created with media entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author, Nely Galán.

Gary also founded AVANCE Sports, a non-profit dedicated to expanding Latino leadership and influence in the sports industry. He is a founding partner of L’ATTITUDE Ventures, the largest venture capital fund that invests exclusively in Latino-led startups. He is the creator of the Hispanic Wealth Project, a non-profit with a mission to advance economic mobility and generational wealth in the Latino community. His video series, “The Latino Brand,” shares his take on business, leadership, and the image of Latinos in America.

Gary attended the University of California in San Diego and Pomona College, where he played varsity basketball for Hall of Fame coach, Gregg Popovich. He lives with his family in San Diego.

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A Foundation, a Passion Project and a Moonshot

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta October 21, 2023

We all have our own idea of what makes a successful career. For some, it is owning a profitable business, for others it might be the stability and prestige of a high-paying profession. However, for most people, success is some combination of earning a high income while preserving the freedom to enjoy it. Unlike some people, I enjoy the process. I like the early stages of a new venture, even more than after it becomes an actual business. I am not however an adrenaline junkie. I am not willing to risk everything to pursue my next idea. I am my best when my business is doing well enough that I have the time and the means to pursue a passion project and a moonshot.

Real Estate Outlook: Only the Strong Will Survive

BusinessBy Gary Acosta October 14, 2023

Over the next 24 months, the real estate and mortgage industries will be challenged like no time in recent history. Companies that have healthy capital reserves and their fixed expenses under control will expand their footprints, and increase market share…Conversely, companies with high fixed expenses, and singular revenue channels will suffer.

Who Benefits Most from Attending NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE?

Current AffairsBy Gary Acosta September 16, 2023

The incomparable NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE (NAL) event in Miami. This year, the crowd will be bigger and the speakers will be even more impressive! If you are not familiar with some of the names, let me provide some additional color: Eddy Cue is a Cuban-American and the second-ranking executive at Apple, Orlando Bravo is the wealthiest Latino in America with a net worth of more than 8 billion dollars, and Priscila Almodovar is the only Latina CEO of a Fortune 100 company. Beyond this incredible list of headliners, the hallways at NAL will include…

Latinos and Philanthropy – The Harsh Truth

Latino IssuesBy Gary Acosta September 2, 2023

I think most Latinos would agree that at our core, we are a generous people. If a member of our family is in need, Latinos as a rule, won’t hesitate to help financially. Family is central to Hispanic culture: our generosity has few limits. Maybe that explains why when it comes to making political donations and writing checks in support of actual philanthropic activities, Latinos come up short….When I interviewed Barack Obama last year at NAHREP at L’ATTITUDE, I pressed him about politicians not prioritizing issues that are important to Latino voters, he politely pushed back by saying…

Leaders Run Toward Problems Not Away from Them

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta August 26, 2023

Problems aren’t fun. Because of this, most people run away from problems rather than confronting them. The ability to deal with problems and stressful situations is a key component of strong leadership…one of the reasons NAHREP is one of the most successful business organizations in America is that many years ago…

L’ATTITUDE Sports Takes Off

FamiliaBy Gary Acosta August 5, 2023

In July, L’ATTITUDE hosted its first event during the NBA Summer League, honoring Latino leaders in the NBA….L’ATTITUDE intends to amplify its focus on sports because of its enormous influence on our culture and the youth in America. Beyond recognizing leaders, L’ATTITUDE will produce studies and data that illustrate the role of Latinos in terms of audience and revenue growth for professional sports.

When an Elephant Dances with a Mouse, Only One Can Get Hurt

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta July 29, 2023

In the movie Wall Street, Bud Fox’s goal was to work with a big fish like Gordon Gekko. Fox gets his wish, but it almost destroys him. Still, almost everyone wants to work with partners and customers who are wealthier and more successful than themselves.

The DEI Space is Going to Change: Here are the Positives

Current AffairsBy Gary Acosta July 22, 2023

Attorneys General from thirteen states sent a letter to the 100 largest corporations in America, advising them that they believe the ruling extends to private companies. In their letter, the group of Attorneys General stated their view that “racial discrimination in employment and contracting is all too common among Fortune 100 companies and other large businesses.”

False Choices

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta July 8, 2023

We live in a society where people acquire strong opinions with only soundbites of information. Critics of affirmative action characterize it as a policy that allowed colleges to admit students of color who were undeserving and unqualified. However, the data showed that everyone who is admitted to Harvard meets the academic criteria.

Clarifying the Biggest Myth About Affirmative Action

Current AffairsBy Gary Acosta July 1, 2023

The United States ruled that colleges could no longer consider race as a factor in admissions policies. There would be no need for affirmative action in college admissions if every young person had equal access to safe housing, healthcare, and quality educational resources during their formative years.

Nikola Jokić and the Happiest Companies in the World

Wealth DisciplinesBy Gary Acosta June 17, 2023

“competition is for losers”. I love that line….Happy companies are all different because each of them has discovered how to provide a product or service that is extremely valuable – yet so unique that they have no real competition.

Diversity Needs Better Branding

BusinessBy Gary Acosta June 3, 2023

Over the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to speak at the T3 Conference in Florida…I surprised the audience when I explained how the issue of diversity has been framed incorrectly, and has for the most part alienated the business community.

The One Threat to America that Elon Musk Won’t Talk About

Current AffairsBy Gary Acosta May 20, 2023

Elon Musk dropped by the Real Time with Bill Maher show recently for an interview with the host. Maher, who considers himself a liberal is an obvious fan of the CEO of Tesla and Space X. The centerpiece of their conversation was their discussion regarding what Musk called the “woke mind virus” or what I prefer to call “cancel culture”.

Without Money, Your Ideas Don’t Matter

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta May 13, 2023

People sometimes get me wrong. They think that because I talk a lot about giving back and living modestly, I must not care about money. On the contrary, I care a lot about money because I understand how our system works.

How the Wealthy Protect Themselves Against Bank Failures

Wealth DisciplinesBy Gary Acosta May 6, 2023

Those that predicted that the failure of Silicon Valley Bank was just the beginning are turning out to be correct. The sharp rise in interest rates, plus a few regulatory gaps, coupled with the convenience of online banking have created a perfect storm for over-leveraged banks in 2023.

The Road to Happiness Consists of Four Things

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta April 22, 2023

We live in a capitalistic society. Economics drives everything. We work hard and we have more money to provide for our families and do the things we want. But what actually makes us happy? Some of us spend our lives looking for that answer and never find it. Some look for it in church, others pay life coaches, and some think the more money they have the happier they will be.

I Don’t Blame Biden (or Trump) for Inflation

PoliticsBy Gary Acosta April 15, 2023

Inflation has impacted all of us. The price of almost everything has spiked faster and harder than at any time since the 80s. Few things can obliterate a modern economy more than out-of-control inflation.

What are the things that Unite Latinos?

Latino IssuesBy Gary Acosta March 25, 2023

We hear frequently how Latinos are not a monolithic community. In other words, we are not all the same. We come from different countries, have a variety of political views, and even eat different foods. I get all of that, but I also think focusing constantly on our differences versus our similarities undermines our political and economic power as a community…

Nobody Makes it on their Own

FamiliaBy Gary Acosta March 18, 2023

The woman who gave me life and shaped me to be the person that I am passed away on March 5th. My mother Irma was a strong woman – a really strong woman. She was the matriarch of our family. I joke that the rest of us were just part of her supporting cast…

Do we live in a perfect meritocracy?

Personal DevelopmentBy Gary Acosta February 25, 2023

I teach my kids that they can do anything if they put their minds to it and do the work. I also teach them that life isn’t always fair, but you can’t let that deter you. I think we all try to teach our kids the value of grit and hard work. For most people, success is about perseverance and overcoming obstacles.