From Surviving to Scaling: Jonathan Martinez’s Journey Through Adversity
Jonathan and Josh
At our core, Building Our Tech (BOT) believes access changes everything. When you’re given the opportunity to enhance your product, sharpen your skills, or build a lasting community, the drive and determination you display will shine through. Meet Jonathan Martinez, a UX Designer who is no stranger to adversity. Jonathan took every opportunity and turned it into something special. This week’s impact story highlights Jonathan, whose path into tech wasn’t linear but powerful. From navigating homelessness and chronic pain to building a prosperous career, Jonathan’s journey reflects resilience, determination, and what can happen when the right support meets the right moment.
The Foundation in the Rough
Tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and what you do now.
“I’m someone who has always found a way through, and I mean that literally. I didn’t grow up with a safety net. I’ve experienced homelessness in my past, which means when things get hard, there’s no fallback. What I’ve always had instead is discipline and a willingness to keep moving no matter what the conditions look like.
From 2017 to 2023 I lived with chronic pain from a double inguinal hernia repair that went wrong. The mesh caused lasting damage, and for years I carried that quietly. I was a young guy and I didn’t look like someone in pain until I did. Getting help wasn’t straightforward either. I had to find a specialized surgeon, write to him personally, and tell him my story because the scans couldn’t show what was really happening to my body in motion. He believed me when nothing on paper could prove it. That surgeon saved my life and I’m genuinely grateful for him. The surgery was risky, specialized, and insurance wouldn’t cover it. I worked remotely through the pandemic and freelanced my way to affording it myself.
Through all of that I never stopped showing up. I had a co-working space I treated like a real office. Up every morning, prospecting, networking, building client relationships, keeping my skills sharp. That’s just who I am. And that’s the version of me that BOT met.
Today I bring that same energy into every team I’m part of. I care deeply about people feeling like their work means something, and I’ve learned that when that’s present, everything around it rises.”
A Step Toward the Future
How did you originally hear about BOT?
“It was a regular day at the co-working space in Orlando. Mike Felix walked in to tour the space. He was looking for somewhere to establish what would become Black Orlando Tech. I happened to be there working, we connected, and I got invited to some of the very first meetups. The relationship grew naturally and we all became friends.
What struck me most wasn’t the organization itself at first. It was the realization that I wasn’t alone. I genuinely didn’t know there were Black people and people of color in tech at the scale that there are. I thought I was a rare exception. But when you start expanding your network, you begin to see people who look like you, chasing the same goals, facing the same landscape. That was quietly life-changing.”
What problem were you trying to solve when you first connected with BOT?
“Like most people who network, I was looking for more stable work. Freelancing was real and it was mine, but stability was always the goal. What I didn’t fully understand yet was that opportunities don’t come from transactions. They come from relationships you build and maintain over time. BOT became a place where those relationships formed naturally.
The meetups connected me with people who became collaborators, clients, and friends. The fruit from those connections took time to show up, but it showed up. That’s the thing about genuine community. You don’t always see what’s growing until it’s already there.”
Were there any resources, access, or support missing on your journey? What would success have looked like for you?
“What was missing, honestly, was proximity. Proximity to people who were doing the things I wanted to do, working on projects I could contribute to, moving in directions I was trying to move. That’s what BOT provided. Not just a room full of people, but the right kind of access…
…The relationships I built through BOT didn’t all look the same. Some became mentorships, some became collaborations, some became clients. Each one connected me to something new. That’s the compounding effect of genuine community. You can’t manufacture it, but when you find it, everything starts to move differently.”
Rooted in Support, Growing in Purpose
Jonathan Event Photo
What programs, services, or interactions did you have with BOT? What stood out the most?
“I was part of several of the early meetups that Black Orlando Tech hosted. These weren’t just networking events. People shared knowledge, gave talks, did presentations. There was a real culture of learning alongside connecting.
What stood out was how it extended beyond the walls of BOT itself. A lot of the members were active in the broader Orlando tech scene, so we kept crossing paths at local events and spaces. BOT became a home base, but the relationships it built traveled everywhere. That integration into the larger ecosystem was something I didn’t expect, and it made the community feel much bigger than any single event.”
Was there a specific moment, resource, or person that made a difference?
“Emily and Josh stand out. Alongside David Yarde and Mike Felix, they’ve been the most consistent presence throughout this whole journey. But Emily and Josh showed up during some of my hardest moments in ways that went far beyond professional support. They were there as human beings first. On top of that, the connections and referrals they’ve provided over the years have been real and tangible. That combination of genuine care and practical support is rare. It’s the kind of thing you don’t forget.”
How did your experience with BOT change your path? What outcomes can you directly relate to BOT?
“BOT changed my path through the people. The founders and co-founders have shown up for me in real, tangible ways. Job referrals, client referrals, and something that doesn’t get talked about enough in tech: genuine friendship and support. People in this community saw me during some of my hardest years. They knew I was dealing with something serious physically and they showed up anyway. That kind of backing changes how you move.
The common thread through all of it is having people in your corner. Not just professionally but personally. You take risks differently when you know there are people who believe in you and will open doors when they can. That’s what BOT gave me, and it’s not something you find everywhere.”
In your own words, what does BOT's mission mean to you? Why do organizations like BOT matter?
“Organizations like BOT matter because they allow people to see themselves in the work they’re pursuing. Without that, the journey feels like an uphill battle where you’re constantly asking yourself whether this is even possible for someone who looks like you. BOT removes that feeling completely.
That’s what the mission means to me personally. The support, the visibility, the community. It all speaks to something real. Tech needs more of that, not less. The future of the industry depends on people being able to see a path that includes them.
…What makes it especially important right now is the climate we’re in. A lot of organizations and institutions have stepped back from their commitment to diversity and inclusion. Being in New York City I see firsthand how few Black and brown led tech communities exist at any real scale. We need more of these spaces. BOT is proof that they work, that they matter, and that they change lives. The world needs more of what BOT is building.”
Impact Loading
Jonathan Oculus
Where are you now compared to where you started?
“When I look at where I started versus where I am now, the distance is real. A decade of UX and design work across freelance projects and different roles. Real experience, real relationships, and a body of work I’m proud of.
By 2023 the landscape shifted hard... Freelance opportunities dried up…Finding new work became extremely difficult.
But that wall led somewhere. I pursued business and data analytics, and it’s the most natural pivot I could have made. Everything I built as a UX designer gave me a deep understanding of products, users, and how decisions get made. Analytics is just going deeper into that same foundation…
I just finished a data analytics bootcamp at Civic Hall about three weeks ago and presented my capstone. Right now I’m in the portfolio building and job searching phase, putting everything together and positioning myself for what’s next. The journey hasn’t been smooth, but I’m still working at it. That’s really been the through line of my whole story.”
What's next for you?
“What’s next is impact. I want to use everything I’ve built, the design background, the decade of experience, the relationships, to create real value for people and organizations. I’m moving deeper into product and business analytics with the goal of becoming someone companies seek out to solve their most complex, expensive problems.
It also means continuing to align with what BOT stands for. The mission isn’t something I’ve left behind. It travels with me. As I grow, I want that growth to mean something for the community that helped make it possible.”
What would you say to someone considering getting involved with BOT?
“Just get involved. It doesn’t hurt to show up, volunteer, or go to an event and meet people. See where the relationships go, see how you evolve. Some things take time and some things happen faster than you expect. But none of it happens if you don’t start.
Everyone in the BOT community is friendly, approachable, and genuinely open to connecting. And the organization has grown significantly since I first got involved. If I was able to get what I got when resources were limited and we were just getting started, I can only imagine what’s possible now with more scale, more programs, and more reach. Get in now.”
Step into Your Future
Jonathan’s story shows us that the path may be tough and challenges will occur, but having a supportive community, resources, and a passion for our work can help us reach the next chapter. Throughout his story, Jonathan emphasizes the importance and impact of building relationships. Whether you stay up to date with monthly networking meetings, attend cohorts or workshops, speak on a BOT panel, or volunteer at a BOT event, there’s something for every level of involvement. We’re always looking for more ways to empower the tech community.
“I feel like this is only the beginning for BOT and what’s to come. I’m still fired up about the mission and what this organization is building. I wish nothing but success on everyone involved and I genuinely hope it scales into something even bigger.”
Thank you, Jonathan, for sharing your story, and we look forward to what you will do next!
