Bio

Me (yes, some years back!), who I like to describe as a runny-nosed kid from Lubbock, Texas, who wanted nothing more than to make his mother proud!

With Mary Forney and the late-great hall of fame jockey Garrett Gomez. At the release of his biography in Los Angeles.

With Mark Simon, the editor of the Thoroughbred Times, and Shane Ryan, the son of Tony Ryan, the founder of Ryanair airline, after winning the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award for The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita.

Presenting Sheila Ford Hemp, the owner of the Detroit Lions and philanthropist, with the key to the Henry Ford Birthplace at Greenfield Field Village. After a devastating fire I led the team that restored the home to pristine condition in time for the 100th anniversary of Ford's first car, the Quadricycle.

Rodolfo Alvarado is a dynamic and multifaceted writer based in Michigan, where he lives with his wife and children. His extensive body of work spans across multiple mediums, including fiction, non-fiction, stage, and screen. Alvarado’s writing has been featured in literary journals, academic publications, popular presses, and theatrical productions.

Alvarado’s latest endeavor is the powerful monodrama "Undesirable Secrets," inspired by the remarkable life of Anthony C. Acevedo, a World War II medic and Holocaust survivor. With the full support of the Acevedo Family and the Anthony C. Acevedo Foundation, "Undesirable Secrets" aims to make a lasting impact. Following a successful read-through in January 2024 at The Holzman Auditorium in San Antonio, attended by over 385 people, the production has been reimagined as a monodrama to enhance its emotional immediacy and intimacy. A workshop of this compelling work is scheduled for August 2024 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with plans for a full production in 2025.

Alvarado has also made significant contributions to academia. He is the author of nine books, including the America's Latinos Quick Reference Guide and Words That Matter: A Quick Reference Guide, both praised for their insightful coverage of issues critical to the Latinx/o community. His ability to explore complex topics with depth and clarity has cemented his reputation as a leading voice in the field.

In 2022-23, Alvarado’s children’s podcast, The Perla Garcia Mysteries, won the Latin Podcast Awards, drawing from his popular book series to engage young audiences with thrilling and educational stories. His literary achievements have also earned him recognition as an Emerging Latino Author by The Latino Book Review.

Alvarado’s biography, 'The Untold Story of Joe Hernandez: The Voice of Santa Anita," won the prestigious Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award, and he was also a finalist for a second Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award and an Eclipse Award for his biography and article on the late-jockey Garrett Gomez. His fictional works have been published by respected outlets including Arte Público Press’ Piñata Books, The Americas Review, The Latino Book Review, and Texas A&M University Press. His academic and popular press writings have appeared in The University of Michigan Press, Michigan State University Press, The Texas Observer, and Alpha Books of New York, among others.

Holding a Ph.D. in Fine Arts and an MFA in Playwriting from Texas Tech University, along with an MA in History from Eastern Michigan University (EMU), Alvarado’s academic journey includes being named a University Fellow and a Parks/King/Chavez Fellow at EMU. Before committing himself full-time to writing, Alvarado taught at the University of Michigan, Texas Tech University, Ave Maria University, and Eastern Michigan University. He also brought his talents to The Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village and the Ford Motor Company, enriching his professional experiences beyond academia.