Flipping the Script on Fate
Jonathan Pitts-Wiley's lens at The Slate Studio captures a leader forged by perseverance and purpose. Where dreams often struggle to take root, Travis Escobar's journey began. As the first in his family to graduate from college, Travis didn't have a blueprint for success. He made up for what he lacked in guidance with determination and a willingness to learn from every experience—especially the failures.
"My leadership journey has been more about failing than succeeding," Travis reflects. "I grew up in a family where no one really built an organization, no one went—I'm the first in my family to graduate college." Without a traditional roadmap, Travis learned by doing—a process that inevitably led to challenges.
Yet, these setbacks have shaped him into the leader he is today. One failure stands out—a moment that could have derailed his career but became a catalyst for growth. Fresh out of Rhode Island College with a political science and public administration degree, Travis landed a job at a prominent company.
The future seemed so bright that the Rhode Island College alumni magazine featured him in an article with glossy photos of him in downtown Providence.
Then, the unthinkable happened. The job didn’t work out, and Travis found himself unemployed just as the magazine hit the stands.
"I'm getting congratulated for being in this job," Travis recalls, the irony still fresh in his voice. "And there are these great pictures of me in downtown Providence. The timing was unbelievable."
For many, this public failure would have been devastating. For Travis, it became a turning point. "That was such a blessing," he says, his eyes lighting up with the clarity that comes from reflection. "Because it allowed me to do Millennial Rhode Island, which I don’t think I would have done otherwise. I wouldn’t have been able to build Millennial Rhode Island if I had stayed at that company."
This ability to find opportunity amid setbacks defined Travis's career. He went on to co-found Millennial Rhode Island, an organization dedicated to connecting young professionals to opportunities within the state. Now approaching its 10th year, Millennial Rhode Island has become a cornerstone of Travis’s mission to give back to his community.
In 2022, Travis expanded his impact by co-founding Island Coquito, a liquor brand that celebrates the traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink. "We’re in over 80 places—restaurants and bars across the state," Travis says with pride. "And we just expanded into Massachusetts, which is incredibly exciting as we introduce this piece of Puerto Rican culture to even more people." For Travis, Island Coquito is more than a business—it’s a platform to share his heritage and inspire other entrepreneurs of color.
Most recently, Travis transitioned from his role as Manager of Community Relations at Fidelity Investments to become the Director of Business Development at United Way of Rhode Island. He leads efforts to grow and retain corporate partnerships in this position, connecting companies with United Way's initiatives through volunteerism, workplace giving campaigns, and philanthropic opportunities. "This role allows me to expand on my mission of creating meaningful change and giving back to the community," he explains.
Travis’s diverse pursuits—from his full-time role supporting one of Rhode Island's leading nonprofits to serving as vice president of the Providence School Board—are all tied to a singular purpose.
"A lot of my work, a lot of my career, has been built on what is the purpose?" Travis explains, leaning forward with intensity. "Why am I doing something? It's not necessarily about the money. I mean, yeah, you need a certain amount to live. But, for example, at Fidelity, the purpose was how do I give back to communities of color? How are we expanding financial education programs?"
This deep sense of purpose drives every aspect of Travis’s life. Whether creating networking opportunities for young professionals, advocating for improved education on the school board, or sharing Puerto Rican culture through Island Coquito, he’s always asking: How can I make a difference? How can I open doors for others that weren’t open for me?
Travis reflects on his responsibility to his community. "I think my responsibility goes back to my purpose," he says thoughtfully. "I want everyone I work with to feel that we’re joined together to improve our community."
The conversation winds down as Jonathan frames these final reflections, each image revealing the quiet confidence of earned wisdom. In Travis Escobar's journey, we see the power of resilience, the importance of purpose, and the transformative impact of giving back. From a young man facing public failure to a community leader wearing many hats, Travis embodies the idea that setbacks don't define us—how we respond to them matters.
As he continues to build bridges, create opportunities, and inspire the next generation of Rhode Island leaders, Travis Escobar stands as proof of what's possible when challenges are seen not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to a greater purpose.
