Meet Joen Romero-Martinez of Divo Academy in Tempe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joen Romero-Martinez.

Joen, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I originally came in 1998 to the USA from my native home, Venezuela. As everyone else who comes here, my family and I wanted choices and opportunities. I’ve been a construction painter, a waiter, a customer service rep, a quality supervisor, a mortgage loan processor, an interior decorator, an office cleaner, an uber driver, etc.

In 2013 I was living in the east valley and felt I didn’t fit in, I wanted a change in a big way. Before considering moving out of Arizona all along, I told myself to try in “the city”, so I moved to central Phoenix, and my life took a whole grand course.

I wanted to volunteer for the LGBTQ community and ‘make a difference’, just a couple of months later I met someone who introduces me to the world of being an advocate, and my journey began. I was producing entertainment numbers to close the biggest fundraisers in town until I became the co-chair of one them; being the 1st Latino in over two decades to serve as such. I poured my heart and soul into that project and magical things started to happen.

A member of our gala committee that year asked me to judge a beauty pageant he was involved in, and I said yes. The same week I was in another event and came across a stunning beauty queen from another system and her directors, I was invited to judge their pageant as well. So, I judged pageants in the valley for about three years, until I was invited to then direct at the state level, one the fastest growing beauty pageants for teenagers in the world. I took that as a mission to empower any young woman who wants to be better and give back something to our community.

I’ve been a director of the year in 2017 and 2018 for two different systems. On October 17th this year, I launched my own institute for beauty queens DIVO Academy, with the mission to provide integral beauty to inspire. At the same time, I will be taking on a national level pageant to continue my journey to empower young women to be their best selves, with the Miss Teen Grand Universo. Taking two national titleholders to compete in Tabasco, Mexico next summer. Plus, I also announced the launching of the Romero-Martinez Foundation, dedicated to my biggest mentors, my parents in an effort to contribute to make the world a better place, incorporating my beauty queens to the community to give back, as well to provide scholarships to the winners.

Throughout these last six years, I’ve been a mentor for the LGBTQ+ youth, as well as an advocate for our LGBTQ+ community in general plus an activist and a voice for individuals with down syndrome due to family reasons. I now have the honor to be the Chair for the 2020 GiGi’s Playhouse Phoenix, a nationwide non-profit organization to empower individuals with Down syndrome and their families. On our 7th annual fundraiser, we are striving to continue to break the glass ceiling when it comes to acceptance and acknowledgment.

I believe kindness, acceptance and inclusion will make a better place as long as we all are an active part of it.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve encountered a lot of ups and downs, as one would when you’re starting from zero in any place that is different from that home. Though I never felt discriminated against, I’ve felt sometimes by being Latino and not making “6 figures”, people look down at you, the perception to “give back” seems to come along being rich and “famous”. I’ve discovered the light within ourselves makes us rich, and is up to us to make it shine no matter what others think or say about you.

Tell us more about the business.
I am launched the DIVO ACADEMY (to open doors in November), which will be a “beauty queen school” of some sort. We will teach any young person who wants to compete on any stage and shine their best. With an integral training for the runway, dance, personal development, public speaking, and more, my mission is to empower these individuals to be their best selves and to give back to our community in any capacity they find viable for them.

People know me as “#DivoOfBeauty” as my title holders always place on the top ranking at national competitions. Just this October 5th, one of my girls earned the title of Miss Globe United States, which will take us to compete in China this winter, for the world finals for Miss Globe. I am most proud of the fact people can see I do empower the girls, and some said I’ve broken glass ceilings by my unique style to train my queens.

What sets me apart from other pageant directors, I believe is the fact I’m so passionate about the sense of community and how I want the girls to shine in all of their truth. To see someone who walked in shaking from nerves into an audition, to later own a room and place top six at a national level, and to gain a national title by coaching a girl from a long distance is a testament of what a positive impact I am able to make, that is priceless. I also cast, train, the contestants, plus I produce the pageant from beginning to end, ensuring a high quality event to be remembered. I am lucky to have a wonderful group of people that believes in me and my vision, I would not be doing all of this alone without their priceless support.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I believe we make our luck and destiny. The opportunity will present itself if you work hard for something you are really passionate about. If I had to say what has brought me “luck”, is the beautiful people who support me and believe in my vision.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.DivoAcademy.us
• Phone: 480-625-7642
• Email: joen@divoacademy.us
• Instagram: instagram.com/divoacademy, instagram.com/divoofbeauty
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/DivoAcademy-112108276853015/

Image Credit:
Angel Villa Photography, Rosy Lopez Photo, Photography is Unique

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