{"id":28018,"date":"2017-03-22T08:21:21","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T12:21:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=28018"},"modified":"2017-08-30T08:00:16","modified_gmt":"2017-08-30T12:00:16","slug":"zumba-co-founder-beto-perez-stages-a-dance-out-for-college-of-business-charity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2017\/03\/zumba-co-founder-beto-perez-stages-a-dance-out-for-college-of-business-charity\/","title":{"rendered":"Zumba co-founder Beto Perez stages a dance-out for College of Business charity."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Zumba<\/p>\n

You almost couldn\u2019t stand still, even if you wanted to. Because Zumba creator himself, Beto Perez, was on the FIU campus, leading a class in an epic workout.<\/p>\n

The club version of Donna Summer disco hit \u201cHot Stuff\u201d flowed through the speakers at Florida International University\u2019s Wellness and Recreation Center on the Modesto A. Maidique campus. And about 200 Zumba enthusiasts followed Perez\u2019s steps, glides and slides in the dance workout that has swept across the world. The best part: it was all to raise money for a new College of Business scholarship dedicated to fund education for a cancer survivor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love to give back to our community,\u201d said Michelle Gonzalez, president of the FIU chapter of REAAC, the Real Estate Alumni Affinity Council<\/a>, who organized the February 25, 2017 event.<\/p>\n

\"Zumba<\/p>\n

The idea had been percolating for a number of years, said Gonzalez, who earned her master\u2019s degree in international real estate<\/a> in 2016 from FIU and her bachelor\u2019s in finance<\/a> from FIU in 2001. \u201cI had this idea: I\u2019m a Panther, and I love Zumba,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In fact, Gonzalez, a broker at Coral Gables-based Floridian First Realty, was in one of Perez\u2019s first Miami class, and continues to take classes with him. Working with his assistant, Gonzalez was able to place the idea of hosting the FIU class before Perez, who often donates his time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to do these kinds of events, and support charities,\u201d explained Perez a few minutes before he bounded out to lead the class. \u201cEverything is going well for our company, and we want to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n

And give back he did, with a dance workout that had participants sweating and guzzling water, and, if their smiles were any indication, very happy.<\/p>\n

\"Zumba<\/p>\n

Zumba supports medical, social issues.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Hallandale Beach-based Zumba Fitness Co., established in 2001, has more than 15 million weekly participants across 186 countries. It was founded by Perez, along with Alberto Perlman and Alberto Aghion, fellow Miamians who like Perez hail from Colombia. Aghion, a 1999 graduate of FIU\u2019s College of Business, was inducted into the FIU Alumni Hall of Fame in 2011.<\/p>\n

The company has raised millions with a focus on medical and social issues, including cancer research and supporting a Central America summer camp for children with cancer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Zumba class turned out to be even more rewarding than initially\u00a0anticipated,\u201d said Malbelys Gonzalez (no relation to Michelle) a member of the executive board of REAAC at FIU, who earned her MSIRE in 2016 and works as a real estate paralegal with Greenberg Traurig. \u201cThe\u00a0energy and enthusiasm was palpable. We were grateful to have the opportunity to fundraise for a great cause while working out and dancing the morning away.”<\/p>\n

\"Zumba<\/p>\n

A legacy fulfilled.<\/em><\/p>\n

Michelle Gonzalez said she has a special interest in cancer. When she was just 22, her mother died of the disease. And recently, a good friend was diagnosed with a malignancy. \u201cCancer has always been an awareness, and a part of my life,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The scholarship is a way to honor her mother. The college will choose the recipient.<\/p>\n

All told, event participants raised $2,000. But that wasn\u2019t all. At the end of the session, Perez personally donated another $1,000.<\/p>\n

Gonzalez was ecstatic. \u201cI\u2019d like to make this a yearly event,\u201d she said. \u201cThat will be my goal. I\u2019m thankful we are able to come together as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n