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While many Fayetteville residents know Mario Benavente’s reputation for community leadership and activism, they may not know Mario “Be” and his family are a great example of the American-dream-come-true and are a reflection of city’s ethnic diversity. Not only is Benavente a true Fayetteville native and the son of a U.S. Army Veteran, he is also a first-generation U.S. American.

Over the years, Benavente’s Peruvian father provided multiple opportunities for other members of their family, including Benavente’s Korean mother, to move to and create new lives and opportunities in the States. Benavente largely gives his father credit for instilling in him the confidence and providing the strong foundation needed to pursue big dreams.

This proud E.E. Smith alumnus was the first person in his immediate family to have earned an undergraduate degree when he graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Peace, War & Defense and Communications. He will be graduating from North Carolina Central University School of Law with his Juris Doctorate this May.

Benavente is also pursuing his dream of becoming an elected official by running for Fayetteville’s City Council District 3 this year–“hopefully paving the way for the next generation of community leaders to step up and take the reins of this city’s future,” as he shares. Thanks to a strong campaign platform and many dedicated supporters, he has raised more money than any other council candidate this election cycle.