Today we’d like to introduce you to Ovet Martinez.
Ovet, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Pleasant Grove in Southeast Dallas, and growing up there shaped a lot of who I am today. I’ve always cared about fairness and integrity, but I didn’t truly step into leadership until high school. During my freshman year, I started paying close attention to issues that affected my community—especially civic engagement, immigration, and youth empowerment.
That interest quickly turned into action when I founded the Student Voter Empowerment Club at my school. Soon after, I organized my first major event, the Civic Engagement Forum, which opened my eyes to the impact young people can make when they have a platform. I later hosted the Voter Empowerment Forum alongside a community expo at my school campus, and eventually organized the Know Your Rights: Forum & Resource Symposium in partnership with a local organization. Coordinating these events taught me how to stay composed, think strategically, and bring people together around important issues.
Part of the reason I became the leader I am today is because, at my school, I didn’t see the kind of civic-minded leadership our community needed. I wanted to become the role model I wished I had—someone who wasn’t afraid to step into spaces like civics, advocacy, and politics. So I decided to bridge that gap and create a new path for students who cared about these issues.
These experiences opened doors I never expected. I was selected for the CHCI NextGen Leadership Program, joined the DISD Teen School Board, became a member of Julie Johnson’s Youth Advisory Council, and began interning with organizations like the Dallas Housing Coalition and Clark Hill through the Dallas Bar Association. Each opportunity pushed me deeper into the intersection of law, policy, and community advocacy.
I often summarize my journey with a quote I created:
“Motivation creates dreamers, and discipline creates professionals.”
I identify with it because motivation is what initially pushed me into leadership, but discipline is what kept me moving forward. My path has been shaped by consistency, resilience, and a willingness to step into unfamiliar spaces to build something meaningful.
Today, I’m 18 and still building. Everything I do—whether it’s organizing events, working on policy initiatives, or empowering other young people—is driven by the same goal: making sure my community has the knowledge, rights, and opportunities we all deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A lot of my work started when I was still very young, and stepping into civic leadership as a sophomore wasn’t easy. One of the first challenges I faced was simply not having a blueprint. There wasn’t really anyone at my school doing civic or political work at this level, so I had to build everything from scratch—projects, outreach, partnerships, and even credibility.
Another challenge was that not everyone immediately understood why forums, voter empowerment events, or rights-based conversations mattered. I had to learn how to communicate the importance of this work, especially to people who had never seen students lead initiatives like this. That took patience, strategy, and a lot of persistence.
One of the biggest challenges, though, was balance. I had to learn how to manage rigorous schoolwork, personal responsibilities, and high-level civic engagement all at once. Organizing forums, coordinating with partners, and leading my club while staying on top of academics required discipline and a lot of time management. It forced me to grow quickly and build structure into my life.
There were also logistical setbacks—events falling through, deadlines getting tight, and plans changing suddenly. At one point, a major forum had to be relocated the very week it was supposed to happen. Instead of giving up, I partnered with a nonprofit and rebuilt the event from the ground up. Situations like that taught me how to stay calm under pressure and focus on solutions instead of emotions.
Through it all, I realized that motivation alone isn’t enough. The real challenge was staying disciplined even when things were stressful, uncertain, or overwhelming. But every obstacle pushed me to become more resilient, strategic, and confident as a leader.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work centers around civic engagement, youth empowerment, and community advocacy. Over the past few years, I’ve built a reputation for organizing forums and initiatives that connect students and community members to information, resources, and opportunities they don’t always have access to. I specialize in creating spaces where people can learn about their rights, understand the political process, and feel empowered to participate.
Most people know me for the community-centered events I’ve led, such as the Civic Engagement Forum, the Voter Empowerment Forum and Community Expo, and the Know Your Rights: Forum & Resource Symposium. These events bring students, families, and local organizations together to discuss issues that directly affect us. I’m also known for founding the Student Voter Empowerment Club at my campus , serving on the DISD Teen School Board, and working with programs like CHCI NextGen, the Dallas Housing Coalition, and the Dallas Bar Association through my internship with Clark Hill.
What I’m most proud of is that everything I’ve done has been built through initiative. I didn’t wait for someone to create these opportunities — I created them myself. That’s what sets me apart. Much of my work began because I saw a lack of civic and political leadership on my campus and felt a responsibility to fill that gap. I wanted to be the role model I didn’t see, and that meant stepping into spaces where young people aren’t always expected.
People often tell me I bring a sense of discipline, composure, and strategy to everything I do. I care deeply about the communities I come from, and my work reflects that. Whether it’s planning events, advising on youth-related issues, or working in legal and policy settings, my goal is always the same: to empower others with knowledge and give them the tools to advocate for themselves.
I also would like to briefly highlight my school, Emmett J Conrad High School. I had a lot of mentors, peers, friends and colleagues who supported me throughout the journey.
What were you like growing up?
I think naturally I have always been more of a quiet person, but always very reflective, thoughtful, and fair. From a young age, I started to develop my own internal desire to build my own path—one free from societal standards or expectations based on race or background. I wasn’t the loudest kid in the room, but I cared deeply about doing things the right way and understanding how systems worked, especially when it came to fairness and opportunity.
I was also a kid who preferred to keep his social circle small. I’ve always valued meaningful, authentic relationships over having a large group of superficial connections. As a quiet and naturally awkward kid, I didn’t mind being alone in social situations; I often preferred solitude to having to conform to social norms or expectations. That independence and self-reflection shaped my mindset, giving me the confidence to pursue my own path and focus on work and leadership that truly mattered to me.
That curiosity and sense of responsibility grew over time. I gravitated toward leadership and problem-solving, often observing before acting and thinking carefully about how to make a positive impact. Even as a child, I had this instinct to create and follow my own path, which later translated into my work in civic engagement, youth advocacy, and community leadership.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ovetmartinez
