Episode 4 | Renato Paiva, CEO, Access Youth Academy, Introduces Michael Castro To The Team

Welcome to ACCESS GRANTEDIn this latest episode of Access Granted, Renato Paiva, the CEO of Access Youth Academy, introduces a new member of the team, Michael Castro. Michael shares his journey from high school sports in San Diego to a career in law and social impact. He discusses his early influences, including his parents and stepfather, and his transition from sports to political science. Castro highlights his work with nonprofits like All Star Advocacy and Kinship Advisors, focusing on civic engagement and social impact. He emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and making a difference in the community. Castro recently joined Access Youth Academy as Development Director, aiming to amplify the organization's impact and serve more kids through sports and education.Introduction of Michael CastroRenato Paiva welcomes Michael Castro, highlighting his journey in sports and philanthropy in San Diego.Michael Castro expresses his excitement about the conversation and thanks Renato Paiva for the opportunity.Renato Paiva invites Michael to share his starting story, starting from his early years in sports and family background.Early Years and Family InfluenceMichael Castro describes his upbringing in East County, San Diego, surrounded by a large Mexican family.He credits his parents, especially his father, for instilling a focus on sports and life lessons through Little League and soccer.Michael's mother, a career educator, also played a significant role in his upbringing, emphasizing music and arts.He shares memories of growing up with his older brother and the core memories formed during his sports activities.High School Sports and Academic JourneyMichael Castro discusses his high school years, playing tennis, baseball, and soccer, with a focus on baseball and soccer.He highlights the competitive nature of high school sports and the impact on his personal development.Michael mentions his senior year in high school and the inauguration of Barack Obama, which sparked his curiosity about politics.He decided to pursue a junior college education, initially considering kinesiology but eventually shifting to political science.Transition to Political Science and Early CareerMichael Castro shares his experience at Grossmont College, where he took an introductory political science course.He credits a Professor for sparking his interest in political science and global power structures.Michael transferred to Cal State Long Beach, focusing on law and policy, and gained his first internship at the Long Beach County Courthouse Legal Aid.He describes his role in helping with eviction cases and translating documents, which solidified his interest in advocacy.Impact of Personal Loss and Career DecisionsMichael Castro recounts the passing of his grandmother, which reinforced the importance of living a passionate life.He graduated from Cal State Long Beach and was hired at Gomez Law Firm, a personal injury firm in San Diego, where he gained valuable experience in legal advocacy.Michael's mentors at the firm encouraged him to pursue a career in law, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal structures.He decided to attend law school, studying at Cal Western, and met his future wife, Christina, during his first year.Law School and Early Career in Sports and Social ImpactMichael Castro discusses his law school experience, including the Socratic method and joining the Sports and Entertainment Law Society.He met his wife, Christina, who influenced his career path, including an internship with an agency handling immigration matters for athletes.Michael's interest in sports and social impact led him to consider a career in law and sports management.He studied for the LSAT, attended law school, and eventually decided to pursue a career in sports and social impact.Formation of All Star Advocacy and Early Nonprofit WorkMichael Castro and his colleagues formed All Star Advocacy, a nonprofit focused on civic engagement and voter education.The nonprofit aimed to educate the community about local elections and the importance of civic participation.Michael describes the challenges and successes of running a nonprofit during the COVID-19 pandemic.The nonprofit collaborated with local athletes to host webinars and teach-ins, educating the community about voting and local issues.Transition to Kinship Advisors and Regional ImpactMichael Castro joined Kinship Advisors, a social impact firm based on the East Coast, working with NBA and NFL athletes.He worked with clients like Drew and Lauren Holiday and Jalen Brown, helping them manage their foundations and social impact initiatives.Michael describes the regional impact of his work, supporting nonprofits and small businesses in various cities where the athletes played.He gained valuable experience in managing social impact initiatives and working with high-profile athletes.Return to San Diego and Joining Access Youth AcademyMichael Castro returned to San Diego in 2024, ...