Raúl Yzaguirre to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Raúl Yzaguirre is being feted by the White House

The 82-year-old Mexican America civil rights activist is among this year’s 17 recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the White House has announced.

Raúl YzaguirrePresented to individuals who have “made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or security of the United States, world peace or other significant societal, public or private endeavors,” the Medal is the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Yzaguirre served as the Chief Executive Officer and president of the National Council of La Raza for 30 years. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic under President Barack Obama.

Former The University of Texas at Brownsville president Dr. Julieta García is also being honored.

The Mexican American education executive was named one of Time magazine’s best college presidents. Dr. García was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a college president and dedicated her career to serving students from the Southwest Border region.

Other recipients this year include Denzel Washington, Simone Biles, the late Sen. John McCain, former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords and Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe.

The awards will be presented at the White House next Thursday, July 7.

Here’s a look at the individuals who will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom:

  • Simone Biles is the most decorated American gymnast in history, with a combined total of 32 Olympic and World Championship medals. Biles is also a prominent advocate for athletes’ mental health and safety, children in the foster care system, and victims of sexual assault.
  • Sister Simone Campbell is a member of the Sisters of Social Service and former Executive Director of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice organization. She is also a prominent advocate for economic justice, immigration reform, and healthcare policy.
  • Dr. Julieta García is the former president of The University of Texas at Brownsville, where she was named one of Time magazine’s best college presidents. Dr. García was the first Hispanic woman to serve as a college president and dedicated her career to serving students from the Southwest Border region.
  • Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords was the youngest woman ever elected to the Arizona State Senate, serving first in the Arizona legislature and later in the U.S. Congress. A survivor of gun violence, she co-founded Giffords, a nonprofit organization dedicated to gun violence prevention.
  • Fred Gray was one of the first black members of the Alabama State legislature since Reconstruction. As an attorney, he represented Rosa Parks, the NAACP, and Martin Luther King, who called him “the chief counsel for the protest movement.”
  • Steve Jobs (died 2011) was the co-founder, chief executive, and chair of Apple, Inc., CEO of Pixar and held a leading role at the Walt Disney Company. His vision, imagination and creativity led to inventions that have, and continue to, change the way the world communicates, as well as transforming the computer, music, film and wireless industries.
  • Father Alexander Karloutsos is the former Vicar General of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. After over 50 years as a priest, providing counsel to several U.S. presidents, he was named by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as a Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
  • Khizr Khanis a Gold Star father and founder of the Constitution Literacy and National Unity Center. He is a prominent advocate for the rule of law and religious freedom and served on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom under President Biden.
  • Sandra Lindsayis a New York critical care nurse who served on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic response. She was the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine outside of clinical trials and is a prominent advocate for vaccines and mental health for health care workers.
  • John McCain (died 2018) was a public servant who was awarded a Purple Heart with one gold star for his service in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam. He also served the people of Arizona for decades in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and was the Republican nominee for president in 2008.
  • Diane Nash is a founding member of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee who organized some of the most important civil rights campaigns of the 20th century. Nash worked closely with Martin Luther King, who described her as the “driving spirit in the nonviolent assault on segregation at lunch counters.”
  • Megan Rapinoeis an Olympic gold medalist and two-time Women’s World Cup champion. She also captains OL Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League. She is a prominent advocate for gender pay equality, racial justice, and LGBTQI+ rights.
  • Alan Simpson served as a U.S. Senator from Wyoming for 18 years. During his public service, he has been a prominent advocate on issues including campaign finance reform, responsible governance, and marriage equality.
  • Richard Trumka (died 2021) was president of the 12.5-million-member AFL-CIO for more than a decade, president of the United Mine Workers, and secretary-treasurer of the AFL-CIO. Throughout his career, he was an outspoken advocate for social and economic justice.
  • Brigadier General Wilma Vaughtis one of the most decorated women in the history of the U.S. military, repeatedly breaking gender barriers as she rose through the ranks. When she retired in 1985, she was one of only seven women generals in the Armed Forces.
  • Denzel Washington is an actor, director, and producer who has won two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and the 2016 Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also served as National Spokesman for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America for over 25 years.
  • Raúl Yzaguirre is a civil rights advocate who served as CEO and president of National Council of La Raza for thirty years. He also served as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic under President Barack Obama.

This Year’s ALMA Awards to be Broadcast Live on MSNBC

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and NBCUniveral have announced a partnership to air the 2013 ALMA Awards live on MSNBC with programming on MSNBC, mun2 and digital platforms including mun2.tv and Telemundo.com.

The ALMA Awards will be live for the first time since its inception in 1995.

ALMA Awards

The awards show, held during National Hispanic Heritage Month, will celebrate the contributions of Latinos in the entertainment industry with a look back at this year’s outstanding achievements; tributes to career excellence, outstanding causes and philanthropy; and inspiring music performances and acts.

The barrier-breaking awards show, which stands for the American Latino Media Arts, is the only nationally televised primetime English-language program celebrating Latino contributions to entertainment and media.

In addition to the live special, MSNBC will also present a one-hour news special discussing issues impacting the Latino community. The special will draw on the most important issues that the Latino community and the country are facing, such as immigration reform and education, as well as the causes featured by the honorees of the awards tributes.

The ALMA Awards will be broadcast live on Friday, September 27 at 10:00 pm ET on MSNBC.

Longoria Among This Year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards Honorees

She’s one of the Latino community’s biggest advocates… And, now Eva Longoria is being recognized for her efforts.

The 38-year-old Mexican American actress, who recently received a special award from the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), has been named a Hispanic Heritage Awards honoree.

Eva Longoria II

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) recently announced this year’s eight honorees, with the former Desperate Housewives star at the top of the list.

The Hispanic Heritage Awards celebrate Hispanic cultural pride, contributions, and accomplishments,

Longoria will receive the Community Service Award, for her endless list of charitable and political efforts within the Latino community.

Here’s a look at the 2013 Hispanic Heritage Awards honorees:

  • Actress Eva LongoriaCommunity Service Award
  • Musical Group Los Tigres Del NorteLegend Award
  • Chef Jose Andres, Design Award
  • Superintendant Alberto CarvalhoEducation Award
  • Voto Latino President Maria Teresa KumarLeadership Award
  • Actress and Singer LuceroVision Award
  • Actor/Director/Producer Diego LunaInspira Award
  • Race Car Driver Juan Pablo MontoyaSports Award
  • Nonprofit National Math and Science Initiative, STEM(Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Award

“The Hispanic Heritage Awards are proud to honor yet another inspiring group of Latino leaders,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of the HHF. “The Hispanic community has made significant contributions throughout history on America and the world and it’s an honor to be an organization established by the White House to recognize that impact.”

Longoria and her fellow honorees will be celebrated during the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Awards on September 5 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The awards presentation will be broadcast on MundoFox on Sunday, September 15, at 6:00 pm EST.

Longoria to Receive ‘ALMA de tu Mundo’ Award from the NCLR

Eva Longoria is set to receive a worldly award…

The 38-year-old Mexican American actress is set to receive NCLR’s ALMA de tu Mundo award during the 2013 edition of Premios Tu Mundo.

Eva Longoria

The ALMA de Tu Mundo award, presented by Telemundo and the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) recognizes artists who use their fame and talent to help the less-fortunate in society and create awareness of various philanthropic endeavors.

Handed out for the first time ever, the “ALMA de Tu Mundo” acknowledges the work of the former Desperate Housewives star, who has been engaged in many causes on behalf of the Latino community to help ensure a better future for Hispanic families through civic engagement, voting, education, and entrepreneurship.

But Longoria won’t be the only Latino celebrity receiving an award…

Daddy Yankee will be honored with the Poder Musical award.

The Poder Musical award is reserved only for artists who with courage, talent and innovative power revolutionize the world of music. Daddy Yankee was selected to receive the coveted recognition because of his unstoppable success that spans more than a decade. His unique innovating power has led him to place the urban music genre not only on the map but atop music charts around the globe.

The awards show will also feature electrifying performances by Natalia Jimenez, Aracely Arambula, Cristian Castro, Elvis Crespo, Tito “El Bambino” and Carlos Ponce.

The star-studded awards show will be broadcast live on Thursday, August 15 at 8:00 pm from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

See the full list of finalists at http://www.PremiosTuMundo.com.  The winners for each category will be announced at the awards show.

Cisneros to Chair the National Hispanic University’s Advisory Board

Henry Cisneros is ready to do his part to increase the number of Latino college students in the United States…

The 65-year-old Mexican American politician and businessman, the former secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and first Hispanic mayor of a major American city, will chair the National Hispanic University’s newly formed advisory board.

Henry Cisneros

Comprised of prominent leaders from across the country, the board will provide guidance on overall strategy and serve as the university’s ambassadors to the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

“The National Hispanic University has a strong educational foundation, a proven track record for student success and, most important, a noble goal that I fully embrace — to increase the number of Latino college graduates,” said Cisneros. “I am honored to serve as chairman of the board and support the university and its mission and vision.”

Cisneros served as secretary of HUD in President Bill Clinton’s administration from 1993 to 1997. Prior to his cabinet position, he served four terms as mayor of his hometown, San Antonio. As the executive chairman of CityView, Mr. Cisneros remains actively involved in urban investing and building for community revitalization projects in large cities throughout the United States.

In addition to Cisneros, the advisory board includes:

Janet Murguia, president and chief executive officer of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) — As president and CEO of the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. Murguia often testifies before Congress about issues affecting the Latino community. She previously served as deputy assistant to President Clinton, providing strategic and legislative advice to the president on key issues.

Cesar Conde, president of Univision Networks — Conde is responsible for overseeing the Univision Network, TeleFutura Network and Univision Cable Networks, as well as Univision Studios, and has held a number of senior positions within the company. Prior to joining Univision, Conde was one of 12 White House Fellows (2002–2003) appointed by President George W. Bush and served as White House Fellow for then Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Ronald Blackburn-Moreno, president and CEO of the ASPIRA Association — Blackburn-Moreno has played a major role in shaping national education policy to benefit Latinos since assuming leadership in 1994 of the ASPIRA Association, the only national organization dedicated to the education and leadership development of Latino youth. A past chair of the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, he has previously served on several advisory boards, including the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education and the Ford Foundation. Blackburn-Moreno speaks nationwide on education issues.

Nely Galan, media entrepreneur/Latina advocate — Galan, a first-generation immigrant and self-made media mogul, was the first Latina president of a U.S. television network, Telemundo. She’s an award-winning producer of more than 600 episodes of television programming in Spanish and English, including the FOX reality series The Swan. She’s the founder of The Adelante Movement, which includes a national tour and a digital platform to economically empower Latinas in the U.S and connect them with financial opportunities. Galan has also recently gone back to graduate school. She has a master’s degree in clinical psychology and is currently completing her doctorate.

“This esteemed group of nationally recognized leaders will be instrumental in advancing our university’s mission of increasing access to quality higher education for Latinos and others serving multicultural communities,” said Dr. David P. Lopez, president of The National Hispanic University. “As we continue to focus our efforts on expanding access nationally through on-campus and online programs, we will greatly benefit from the talents and unique expertise of this distinguished group of advisors.”

The National Hispanic University is part of The Laureate International Universities network, which includes more than 60 accredited campus-based and online universities worldwide, including more than 30 postsecondary institutions in Latin America. The university was founded in 1981 by the late Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, who dedicated his life to making educational opportunities available to Hispanics and members of other underrepresented groups.

Aguilera to Receive Special Achievement Honor at the ALMA Awards

Christina Aguilera will soon be recognized for her giving alma

The 31-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer, who is preparing for her gig on the third season of NBC’s The Voice, will receive the National Council of La Raza Special Achievement Award at this year’s star-studded ALMA Awards ceremony.

christina-aguilera

Aguilera has been selected to receive the special honor because of her “incredible career and exceptional work in philanthropy.”

Aguilera, won has picked up three ALMA Awards during her illustrious career, has served as global spokesperson for Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief effort since 2009, where her participation has helped raise over $80 million for the World Food Programme (WFP) and other hunger relief agencies.

She also serves as an “Ambassador Against Hunger” for WFP and has traveled on relief trips with the organization to Haiti and Guatemala.

In addition, Aguilera continues to also fight for gay and lesbian rights, as well as helping victims of domestic violence.

Hosted once again by Eva Longoria and George Lopez, the ALMA Awards will be broadcast on September 21 at 8:00 pm ET on NBC. Celebrity presenters will include America Ferrera, Nicole Richie and Wilmer Valderrama.

Lopez Leads Pack of ALMA Award Nominees

There’s no doubt that Jennifer Lopez has plenty of Latino spirit… And, now she could have a few trophies to prove it.

The 42-year-old Puerto Rican multi-hyphenate received three nominations for the 2012 ALMA Awards, making her this year’s most nominated Latino artist.

Created by the National Council of La Raza, the ALMA Awards recognize Hispanic performers who promote positive portrayals of Latinos in the entertainment field.

In a year that saw Lopez conquer the entertainment world in more ways than one, Lopez received a nod for Favorite Movie Actress—Comedy/Musical
for her work in What to Expect When You’re Expecting, as well as a nomination for Favorite Female Music Artist and a nod for Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act for serving as a judge on American Idol.

But Lopez isn’t the only Hispanic artist to receive more than one nod…

Aubrey Plaza scored a twofer on the ballot. The 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress is not only up for Favorite Movie Actress—Comedy/Musical for her work in the indie film Safety Not Guaranteed, but she’s also nominated for Favorite TV Actress—Comedy for Parks and Recreation.

Sofia Vergara also received double the love. The 40-year-old Colombian actress, who just got engaged, is nominated for her work on Modern Family and The Three Stooges.

The winners will be unveiled in an hour-long ceremony, hosted once again by nominee Eva Longoria, set to air Sept. 21 on NBC.

Fans can vote online for their favorites in all the categories through Sept. 7.

Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2012 ALMA Awards:

Favorite Movie
Act of Valor
For Greater Glory
Girl in Progress
Puss in Boots
The Way

Favorite Movie Actor
Diego Boneta, Rock of Ages
Benicio Del Toro, Savages
Andy Garcia, For Greater Glory
Rodrigo Santoro, What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Martin Sheen, The Way

Favorite Movie Actress—Drama/Adventure
Salma Hayek, Savages
Eva Longoria, For Greater Glory
Eva Mendes, Girl in Progress
Roselyn Sanchez, Act of Valor
Zoë Saldana, Colombiana

Favorite Movie Actress—Comedy/Musical
Bérénice Bejo, The Artist
Penélope Cruz, To Rome With Love
Cameron Diaz, What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Jennifer Lopez, What to Expect When You’re Expecting
Aubrey Plaza, Safety Not Guaranteed

Favorite Movie Actor—Supporting Role
Demián Bichir, Savages
Rubén Blades, For Greater Glory
Emilio Estevez, The Way
Oscar Isaac, For Greater Glory
Édgar Ramírez, Wrath of the Titans

Favorite Movie Actress—Supporting Role
Mia Maestro, Savages
Cierra Ramirez, Girl in Progress
Genesis Rodriguez, Man on the Ledge
Harmony Santana, Gun Hill Road
Sofía Vergara, The Three Stooges

Favorite TV Reality, Variety, or Comedy Personality or Act
Christina Aguilera, The Voice
Gabriel Iglesias, Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand-Up Revolution
George Lopez, Take Me Out
Jennifer Lopez, American Idol
William Levy, Dancing with the Stars

Favorite TV Actor
Benjamin Bratt, Private Practice
Danny Pino, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit
Tyler Posey, Teen Wolf
James Roday, Psych
Charlie Sheen, Anger Management

Favorite TV Actress—Drama
Jordana Brewster, Dallas
Julie Gonzalo, Dallas
Cote de Pablo, NCIS
Lana Parrilla, Once Upon a Time
Madeleine Stowe, Revenge

Favorite TV Actress—Comedy
Victoria Justice, Victorious
Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation
Naya Rivera, Glee
Belle Thorne, Shake It Up
Sofía Vergara, Modern Family

Favorite TV Actor—Supporting Role in a Drama
Guillermo Diaz, Scandal
Carlos Gomez, The Glades
Jon Huertas, Castle
Michael Trevino, The Vampire Diaries
David Zayas, Dexter

Favorite TV Actor—Supporting Role in a Comedy
Hector Elizondo, Last Man Standing
Ian Gomez, Cougar Town
Adam Irigoyen, Shake It Up
Oscar Nuñez, The Office
Rico Rodriguez, Modern Family

Favorite TV Actress—Supporting Role
Constance Marie, Switched at Birth
Sara Ramirez, Grey’s Anatomy
Sarah Ramos, Parenthood
Gina Torres, Suits
Lauren Vélez, Dexter

Favorite Male Music Artist
Bruno Mars
Pitbull
Ricky Martin
Romeo Santos
Santana

Favorite Female Music Artist

Gloria Estefan
Jennifer Lopez
Demi Lovato
Naya Rivera
Esperanza Spalding

Gomez Planning to Release Spanish-Language Album

Selena Gomez is ready to embrace her Latin roots through musica

The 19-year-old half-Mexican American singer/actress has confirmed plans to release her first Spanish-language album in the near future.

Selena Gomez

In a recent interview with HollywoodLife.com, Gomez confirmed that the Spanish-language album isn’t just in the works, it’s actually finished—although a release date hasn’t been set.

“It’s at an in-between stage, because I still want to put out a fourth record [in English] and also the Spanish record,” Gomez told the site. “So it’s just all timing. I have a few other songs to do and it will come out. I promise.”

Releasing a full-length Spanish-language album has been a lifelong dream for Gomez, who recorded a Spanish version of her hit single “Who Says.”

Following the release of the single “A Year Without Rain” in 2010 in English—as well as in Spanish, under the title “Un año sin lluvia”—the former Disney Channel star told the Associated Press that her “dream would be to have an entire album in Spanish” but that she believed it was best to begin by releasing individual singles in Spanish because “it would be good practice.”

Gomez went on to tell AP how she lost her Spanish when she began attending school, but that she is more than willing to learn it again to avoid a disconnect “with our audience.”

It was in 2007 after attending and witnessing other Latina actresses proudly representing their Hispanic roots at the National Council of La Raza’s, ALMA Awards ceremony that the star re-connected with her Mexican culture.

Muñoz Named White House Domestic Policy Council Director

She’s served as the director of intergovernmental affairs and the President’s point person on immigration… But now Cecilia Muñoz is expanding her role in Obama’s administration.

The 49-year-old Bolivian-American, a longtime civil rights advocate, has been named the new director of the White House Domestic Policy Council. Muñoz’s new position will now place her among the president’s top aides, overseeing policy making on issues like education, health care, and immigration.

Cecilia Munoz

In adition, the new role will elevate Muñoz, already the highest ranking Hispanic in the White House, to a publicly prominent policy position during a political year in which the Latino vote will play a critical role.

As the director of intergovernmental affairs, Muñoz has been serving as a liaison between the White House and mayors, governors, tribal leaders and other officials. But it is for her role as the Obama Administration’s point person on immigration that has garnered her the most attention.

Before working in government, Muñoz served as senior vice president at the National Council of La Raza—the nation’s oldest civil rights organization—where she focused on education, health care and immigration advocacy.

The child of Bolivian immigrants to the United States, she was awarded a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” in 2000 for her work on immigration and civil rights.

“Over the past three years, Cecilia has been a trusted advisor who has demonstrated sound judgment day in and day out,” President Obama said of Muñoz in a statement. “Cecilia has done an extraordinary job working on behalf of middle class families, and I’m confident she’ll bring the same unwavering dedication to her new position.”