Dr. Douglas Rivero was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to the US in 1980 during the contentious Mariel boatlift. His parents sought economic prosperity and the pursuit of the American Dream. However, like many immigrants in the US, his family struggled for a long time trying to make ends meet. Nonetheless, from an early age, Douglas’ father pressed education as a high priority. From history and civil rights to the environment, Douglas was instilled with a love or learning that carries on until this day.