Tony Gonzalez: From South Omaha Kid to Club Leader and Keeper of Culture
For Margartio “Tony” Gonzalez, the story of community begins where his own journey did, inside the walls of the South Omaha Boys & Girls Club. What started as a safe place after school became a lifelong calling. Today, after more than 25 years with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands, Gonzalez leads the same site that once helped shape him.
As director of the South Omaha Club, Tony guides programs that nurture leadership, character, and academic growth among hundreds of local youth. His leadership became especially crucial in the wake of the pandemic, when clubs struggled to reengage teens. Gonzalez helped reimagine the programming, adding extended hours, outdoor adventures, and mentorship opportunities to rebuild connection and community.
But Tony’s leadership extends beyond the classroom and the club. A passionate musician, he has showcased traditional Mexican music with Mariachi Los Galleros for more than 27 years, performing across Omaha and the Midwest. Through song, Gonzalez celebrates his heritage and keeps alive a cultural tradition that resonates deeply with South Omaha’s Mexican-American roots.
Whether performing in his charro suit or welcoming kids to the club, Gonzalez’s message remains the same: pride in where you come from is the foundation for where you can go.
Those who know him describe Tony as the kind of leader who remembers every name and never forgets where he started. His journey — from South Omaha club kid to mentor, mariachi, and community builder — is a living testament to the power of staying rooted while lifting others.
Do you know someone whose story should be told — a mentor, educator, entrepreneur, veteran, artist, or advocate who has made a lasting difference in the Latino community? Please share their name and a little about their journey with us.
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