Christy Martinez-Garcia Short Bio
Christy Martinez-Garcia, a Lubbock native, developed her professional skills working in city government, private business, and the nonprofit industry and is a leader in the field of communications.
During college, she was named a Ronal E. McNair Scholar. In 1997, she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Relations and Marketing from Texas Tech University where she also attended graduate school, as well as at Wayland Baptist University.
​
Christy worked for the City of Lubbock as a Public Information Officer (PIO)
She worked for the National Council of La Raza (UnidosUS) in Washington, D.C. as Assistant Director of Public Information overseeing national media activities. She continued as a pr/marketing consultant, specializing in the Latino Market.
In 2006, she returned to her hometown and founded Latino Lubbock Magazine, which averages about 100,000 readers monthly and can be found in Lubbock and 28 rural communities. She created the publication to centralize bilingual information and as a tool for dialogue and understanding for Lubbock. In January 2023, Latino Lubbock Magazine celebrated its 17th year of printing, as well as propelled its digital presence.
​
Christy has served as host of the Latino Lubbock Update segment since the inception of Trends & Friends which is featured Thursdays at 5 p.m. on KLBK. She also hosts Latino Lubbock Live, where she has interviewed many high-profile figures including more recently - Nation Police Association President, Art Acevedo; as well as Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Christy is active locally to nationally and involved on several boards, committees, and organizations. Among her commitments includes serving on the board of the National Association of Hispanic Publications (NAHP). She was selected as the 2019 National Latina Publisher of the Year 2019 from publications across the nation.
Past initiatives include serving at the forefront of the development and planning of the North University Gateway on 3rd and University. She was instrumental in the development research of the North Lubbock Mercado Initiative Charrette.
Christy uses history and photography to build awareness about the contributions of Latinos to Lubbock and the South Plain's history. She successfully led the effort to name a street after American hero Cesar E. Chavez in Lubbock in 2006-07. She authored the narrative for the first State Historical Marker recognizing Migrant Labor Camps of Lubbock and is now working on a historical narrative, and State marker commemorating the 100th anniversary of St. Joseph’s Church.
She is the founder of Los Hermanos Familia (LHF), a nonprofit organization whose objective is “Strengthening Families, Building Community,” and, an organization increasing the habitus for area families by fostering an environment that offers them more exploration, and thus knowledge and life experiences, as well as scholarships opportunities. LHF has over 34 member associations working collectively to bring over 11 activities to fruition annually; they also have over 220 volunteers, not to mention achieving over 7,000 volunteer hours annually, which she leads.
Among those initiatives include the annual “Vamos a Pescar, Let’s Go Fishing” event that ignited their movement to impact families. She spearheaded and raised funds for the placement of outdoor fitness equipment that is helping families and individuals become healthy and have access to fitness equipment. She also led efforts to offer a free digital library to any child—from kindergarten to high school—and placed little libraries in areas where children might not have access to books or technology, to name a few.
She has received many accolades for her contributions and commitment, including the 2009 Women in Small Business Champion from the SBA Northwest, recognized statewide and nationally. In 2014, the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Women of Distinction Award; in 2017, she received the Senator Robert L. Duncan Community Champion Award; In 2019, she was selected nationally as Latina Publisher of the Year by the NAHP, to name a few.
​
Christy is involved on several boards, committees, and organizations.
In 2013, Christy and her husband, Frank Garcia, of 34 years, were selected for the Texas Tech Parents of the Year. The couple continues to be committed to several student organizations as well as established a scholarship endowment.
​
On Tuesday, May 17, 2022, Christy was sworn in as the District 1, City of Lubbock Council representative. Her term is four years. Christy is committed to her constituents and strives to take every opportunity to be effective. She recently completed Lubbock Fire Opps 101 Training 2024, as well as NALEO Emergency Management Training in 2023. She serves on the Transportation Policy Committee – 2024; the South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG) – Executive Board ~ Secretary since 2024; ECHO West Texas since 2024; the Electric Utility Board – Council Representative, since 2022; the Lubbock Economic Alliance (LEDA) – Council Representative, since 2022; on the South Plains Association of Governments (SPAG), since 2022; as well as as a member of the Association of Hispanic Municipal Officials (AHMO), since 2022.
​
In 2023, she served as the Lead Delegate to Lubbock’s Junior Ambassador Program Sister City, Musashino City, in Japan. She has been involved in this program for about 20 years - first introduced to it when her daughter, Amaris, served as a Junior Ambassador traveling to Musashino City Japan; and then as a host family five times.
​
In 2023, she was recognized as the Public Official of the Year by the Lubbock Classroom Teachers Association.
​
Her most significant achievement is being the mother of Amaris Garcia, who obtained a bachelor’s degree in May 2014, and an MBA in June 2020, who now aspires to obtain a Ph.D. Amaris has worked in corporate America doing PR & marketing and is now using her skills working in academia.
​
Christy believes in service above self.
(Find short bio below)
Updated August 2023
Christy Martinez-Garcia's Background
A photo of Christy's grandmother, the late Fidencia Silva Castro (in red dress) whom she says was fearless as seen in the photo holding up their pet owl. Her grandmother's family was impacted by the depression and they went from a middle-class family to become migrant workers.
Among many projects and organizations, Christy led the effort to name a street after the great American hero, Cesar E. Chavez.
A photo of Christy's Martinez grandparents and her dad (center male row) and his siblings who were a faith-driven family and who influenced her.
A photo of Christy and Frank with their fur babies Charlie, Finch, and Pippa. Among their many committments they advocate for pets and pet-related agencies in the community.
Christy received her first camera at 10 as a Christmas gift from her parents. She even took pictures at her dad's college graduation!
Congratulations to our Publisher,
Christy Martinez-Garcia,
2019 National Latina Publisher of the Year!
Pictured are Christy (center), her daughter Amaris, and her husband Frank. The trio is very active in the community and take pride in their advocacy and philanthropy.
TV, Radio, Oral & Podcast Interviews
