Join Words Beats & Life Inc.’s Founder and Executive Director, Mazi Mutafa, and guest Sergeant Juan Valdez to discuss leadership and the United States Marine Corps in the fifth episode of kNOw new leaders. Watch Below!

Juan Valdez a native of the Dominican Republic, raised in Roslindale, MA, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

Now medically retired, as of December 2013, Sgt. Juan Valdez served honorably in the Global War on Terrorism. Sgt Valdez participated in four deployments to the Middle East and was involved in 300 + operations. Sgt Valdez was wounded in action by an enemy sniper while on a routine security patrol in the city of Karmah, Iraq.

He is the recipient of the Purple Heart for being wounded in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal, with a "V" for valor, for actions during combat, as well as a combat action ribbon with a gold star. Sgt Valdez graduated from the University of California in San Diego with a degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Law.

New episodes of kNOw new leaders air every Sunday on WBL’s YouTube channel.