Meet Marc Martorana, Community Leader & Philanthropist, Walking in the Light

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness….Martin Luther King Jr.

A Conversation with Marc Martorana

Marc, you are everywhere in South Florida! How did a guy who studied at Adelphi University and lived in the New York area for more than 30 years become a pillar of  philanthropy in South Florida? To the non-enquiring observer you are a super fashionable guy, a trend setter and the life of any party or event! But you have deep passions for the arts and human rights and LBTQ +causes.  Where did that passion come from come from?  

From the age of 16, I was fortunate to have an older family friend take an interest in me and the importance of culturing a  young life., He knew I loved the arts . I came from a very middle class family situation. He introduced me to the Bolshoi Ballet and The Paris Opera Ballet  both at Lincoln Center in NYC at the age of 16.  It was there that my hunger for culture and style was born.

My education began when I won a 4 year  Theatre scholarship at Adelphi University in Garden City, Long Island.  Though I did not graduate,  it started my hunger of understanding and appreciating the arts and knew I had to make it a part of me for my entire life..

Being a Transplant for New York as well. I’m curious, tell us a little bit about that past Life and how you settled in Wilton Manors and South Florida. (I for one found it challenging to reinvent myself down here).Did you Find South Florida welcoming to you and your partner Wilton Manors City Commissioner, Don D’Arminio ? How long have you been here? 

I was visiting South Florida  on vacation  several times a year in 2008. A friend at the resort we were staying in was scheduled with a realtor to see a few condos in Wilton Manors, I asked  if we could tag along, we did. He did not like the 1st  condo we saw,  I did and bought it. That’s how it started.

I have embraced South Florida and it has embraced me as well.

I bought my home in 2011 and it was then that I was approached by a friend to host an event for the South Florida  Symphony Orchestra  who just arrived here in the Fort Lauderdale  area and needed  support.  I stepped up and have been hosting them ever since. 14 years strong.

You are huge supporters of our local charities. Offering you amazing catering skills, artistic flair and fundraising capabilities. You often host fundraising events at your home and other Organizations. I recently was at your home for an amazing event for the Slow Burn Theater Company and you have provided incredible support to one of my originations ArtServe. List some of these organizations you are passionate about and are involved with? 

That’s a tough question.  So many of our LGBTQ charitable organizations fill the needs of so many in our community.

The Pet Project keeping animals feed and offering health care to those who need that assistance.

The South Florida Symphony,  Plays of Wilton,  Island City Theatre,  Slowburn Theatre Company  providing our cultural  needs and keeping our community engaged thru the arts.  So important.

Stonewall  National Museum  achieving our history.

Equality Florida,  The National  LGBTQ  Task Force, Lambda Legal are all at the  forefront of our political fight.

ArtServe,  Arts United, giving a home to many of our LGBTQ  artists .

Sunserve  and Broward House with our social and mental health concerns.

I have assisted every one of these charities and they have all been there for me as well.

Give us one word impressions of some of our South Florida areas?

Wilton Manors:  Welcoming

Fort Lauderdale: Diverse

Miami: intense

Palm Beaches : Conservative

Answer these:

Marc was? An empath, a ferociously loyal servant

Marc is? An empath, a ferociously loyal servant

Marc wants to be? Someone who gave a damn. Who stepped up when it’s important to do so.

Marc wants to be remembered as? A person who did for others to make their life just that much better.

Just your basic philosophy on being a philanthropist and giving back to the community. I consider you the Sir Eton John of Philanthropy in South Florida!

I was taught and have learned  early on in life that no one will remember the song you sang or the play you acted in or the movie you produced,  but they will always remember the good that  you do.

I will always try to do something good for someone

I think it’s important for each of us to share their time, talent or treasure supporting organizations that they are passionate about and get engaged with them.

We bought a larger home for entertaining so we could host Charity Functions at our home. We’ve been doing that now for the past 15 or so years now.

We’ve also received numerous awards and recognition for our work from organizations like South Glorida Symphony Orchestra, Human Rights Campaign, Dolphin Democrats and ArtServe to name a few.