GAINESVILLE, Fla. - s4story -- The City of Hawthorne proudly honored Mario Cartaya, a multiple award-winning Cuban-American architect, author, humanist, and visionary, in recognition of his distinguished career and cultural contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month. Mr. Cartaya was recognized by members of the City Council for his inspiring life journey, which reflects the perseverance and cultural richness of the Hispanic community.

Mario Cartaya's architectural legacy spans more than four decades as the founder of Cartaya and Associates Architects PA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His firm has designed over 1,000 buildings in Florida and abroad, including schools, civic centers, and major infrastructure such as the Fort Lauderdale International Airport and the Broward County Judicial Complex. His humanist approach to design earned national recognition, including the formal entry of his life story and award-winning designs into the United States Congressional Record in 2019. In 2022, an American flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor.

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Mr. Cartaya, born in Havana, Cuba in 1951, immigrated to the United States in 1960 as a political exile. He is also a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Florida, where he earned his architectural degree and began shaping a legacy that bridges design, culture, and civic impact.

Now focused on writing, Mr. Cartaya brings the same passion and precision to storytelling. His debut inspirational book, Journey Back Into The Vault: In Search of My Faded Cuban Childhood Footprints, chronicles his emotional return to Cuba after 56 years. The book received the BREW Nonfiction Book Excellence Award and offers a powerful exploration of memory, identity, and reconciliation. Through vivid prose, Cartaya invites readers to join his quest to reclaim lost memories, reconnect with unknown relatives, and find peace after decades of displacement.

The City of Hawthorne celebrates Mr. Cartaya's profound impact as both a visionary architect and a compelling storyteller, recognizing his journey as a poignant example of the enduring spirit of the Hispanic diaspora.

For more information, visit www.mariocartaya.com. For interviews, book signings, and appearances, email Dayna@dwillhunt.com