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United States Julian Castro is a prominent American attorney, politician, and public speaker, recognized for his extensive career in both municipal and federal government.
Julián Castro is listed as a keynote speaker represented by the Harry Walker Agency. He is described as a Political Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation, and a former Democratic Presidential Candidate.
Julián Castro serves as the CEO of the California-based Latino Community Foundation, with a mission to extend its reach and build Hispanic civic and economic power. The foundation has raised $100 million to support these efforts.
Julián Castro is featured as a speaker for Aspen Ideas, noted for his role as a former Democratic presidential candidate and the former Secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
In 2018, Castro was appointed as the Dean's Distinguished Fellow and Fellow of the Dávila Chair in International Trade Policy at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin.
Castro published his memoir, 'An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up from My American Dream,' through Little, Brown and Company in October 2018.
In September 2020, Castro partnered with Lemonada Media to launch 'Our America with Julián Castro,' a weekly podcast discussing America's past and future possibilities.
In October 2020, Castro joined the board of directors of the Center for American Progress, a center-left think tank.
On July 12, 2021, Castro began his role as a political commentator for NBC News and MSNBC.
Born in San Antonio, Texas, on September 16, 1974, Julian Castro embarked on a distinguished career in public service. He is an alumnus of Stanford University, holding a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. His early career included working for the law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld before he and his twin brother, Joaquin Castro, established their own firm in 2005. Castro’s political journey began in 2001 when he was elected to the San Antonio City Council, becoming the youngest councilman in the city’s history at 26. During his tenure until 2005, he focused on local issues including development proposals.
Castro further advanced his political career by successfully running for Mayor of San Antonio in 2009. He secured re-election in 2011 and 2013, serving until 2014. As mayor, he initiated significant community-wide programs such as SA2020, a visioning effort aimed at shaping San Antonio’s future, and Cafe College, which provided college guidance to students. A notable achievement was leading a voter referendum in 2012 to expand pre-kindergarten education, securing a $30 million sales tax to fund the program. His leadership at the local level positioned him for national recognition, culminating in his selection to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention in 2012.
In 2014, President Barack Obama appointed Castro as the 16th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a role he held until 2017. In this capacity, he oversaw efforts to stabilize the housing market, support communities affected by natural disasters, and implement fair housing policies. After his time in the cabinet, Castro launched a campaign for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in 2020. Though he suspended his campaign in January 2020, endorsing Elizabeth Warren, he continued his public engagement through a podcast and as a political commentator for NBC News and MSNBC, and joined the board of directors for the Center for American Progress, reflecting his ongoing commitment to public affairs and policy.
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