The 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was, as always, a celebration of literary voices, cultural insight, and creative storytelling. Amid a weekend brimming with panels, signings, and artistic showcases, one quietly powerful moment came with the screening of the book trailers.
Unveiled during a multimedia session spotlighting emerging and independent authors, the trailer played to a crowd of curious festivalgoers gathered in one of the festival’s booths. With subtle cinematic flair and a contemplative tone, the trailer gave audiences a visual and emotional introduction to the story’s deeply evocative work.
While brief, the video presentation left a lasting impression. It was less a marketing tool than a piece of art in its own right. Book trailers are becoming an increasingly popular way for authors to connect with readers beyond the page—especially at large-scale events like LATFOB. It was a reflective pause in an otherwise bustling festival day, giving readers a moment to digest and consider. As the festival continues to embrace new formats for literary storytelling, moments like this remind us that books don’t just live on shelves—they live in sound, image, and collective experience. Raul A. Deju’s Yes, I Can and So Can You! has now made its mark not just in print, but in motion.
The 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB), held on April 26–27 at the University of Southern California (USC), was a significant cultural event that brought together a diverse array of participants and marked its 30th anniversary with a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and community. The festival is known for attracting a large crowd each year. For instance, the 2024 festival drew over 150,000 attendees, and the 2025 event featured more than 550 writers, experts, and storytellers, along with hundreds of exhibitors.
The festival offered over 100 ticketed author events, children’s storytelling sessions, poetry readings, book signings, and more than 400 exhibitor booths. Notable participants in the 2025 festival included authors such as Stacey Abrams, Jon M. Chu, Amanda Gorman, Chelsea Handler, Ibram X. Kendi, and Rebecca Yarros, among many others. The festival’s success was also attributed to the generous involvement of volunteers, who assisted with various aspects of the event, including welcoming attendees, staffing author events, and supervising book signings.
As LATFOB celebrates three decades of literary achievement, the 2025 festival underscored the importance of storytelling in shaping culture and community. With its diverse programming and commitment to accessibility, the festival continues to be a premier event for book lovers and cultural aficionados. The success of this year’s event sets a promising precedent for future festivals, ensuring that the tradition of literary celebration will continue to thrive in Los Angeles.
Yes, I Can and So Can You! is not just another success story; it is a deeply personal and impactful narrative that resonates with a diverse audience. For immigrants and individuals facing adversity, Dr. Deju’s experiences serve as a beacon of hope and encouragement. The book’s engaging storytelling, combined with its practical advice, makes it a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, students, and professionals. Readers will find themselves inspired by his determination, fascinated by his achievements, and motivated to pursue their own ambitions.
Dr. Raul A. Deju serves as Partner of Brightstar Capital Partners, a private equity firm specializing in investing in closely held businesses. As part of Brightstar, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Amerit Fleet Solutions, Board member of Windsor One and of Texas Water Supply. He also has served in executive positions at International Technology Corporation (now Chicago Bridge and Iron) as CEO of URS, Inc.; President of a number of subsidiaries of Waste Management both in the US and overseas; CEO of DGL Inc.; Chairman of Isadra, Inc.; and President and COO of both Headwaters and Energy Solutions.
At the age of 78 years old, while still working, Raul Deju has compiled the amazing, uplifting, and inspiring story of his life as an immigrant arriving in the United States from Cuba at the age of 14 in the Pedro Pan airlift with only a dime in his pocket and his entire family back in Cuba to a highly successful academic/intellectual, scientist, major corporate CEO, entrepreneur, and philanthropist.
Dr. Deju was interviewed by Benjie Cole of CBS Radio. He discusses his inspiring journey, from migrating to the United States from Cuba alone as a teenager to becoming a successful entrepreneur, author, and philanthropist. His journey embodies resilience and adaptability. People of Distinction is one of the most wide-ranging radio shows in the United States, hosted by Benji Cole and Al Cole from CBS Radio. People of Distinction is the right fit for authors and readers to discover newly published books, mostly written by passionate and independent authors. Delve deeper into Dr. Deju’s inspirations behind his book by watching the full interview below:
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