ORLANDO, Fla. — Gene Martin is turning brotherhood into action, creating a networking and accountability service that’s also helping men grow while giving back to the community they call home.
Once a month, Martin and his group of professionals meet for what they call accountability meetings. This is all part of a special nonprofit called Route 7 Orlando, giving men an opportunity to network, be accountability partners, and give back to their community.
Martin started Route 7 Orlando 10 years ago.
“I wanted to network with intention. So, brought people together from different walks of life, and then later that’s how Route 7 was founded. Making sure that we were providing dialog and atmospheres where men can come together, share personal and professional goals with the intention of helping each other achieve those goals,” Martin said.
The group hosts financial workshops, career-building opportunities, and even works to build confidence in youth within Central Florida.
“It’s a public speaking mentorship program called Well Said. One of our board members founded it — Aquanza Cadogan,” Martin said.
“I know when I was younger, I struggled with communication,” Cadogan said.
Cadogan is a board member with Route 7 Orlando and heads up the mentorship initiative. He says he was happy to jump in and help inspire the next generation, especially by helping with speech confidence.
“We are now in our seventh year. We’ve had over 30 young men kind of go through our program right here in the Parramore area between the Boys and Girls Club and now we’re at the Grand Avenue,” Cadogan said.
Making a difference in the lives of each of these young men. Cadogan says he is grateful for Martin, who brought everyone together a decade ago.
“I think the world needs more people like Gene and I’m just super honored that he’s leading the charge for us,” Cadogan said.
Martin will continue providing opportunities and helping open doors for professionals and students throughout Central Florida communities.
“I think that the beauty of what it is that we do is we provide that safe space each and every month, and we’ve been able to do so for the last 10 years to elevate to the number that we have today,” Martin said.