Tom Castañeda is a creative writer, blogger and award-winning broadcast journalist born and raised in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley region, one of the country’s fastest growing Hispanic communities.

While attending Michigan State University, Tom completed an overseas study program in Caceres, Spain—an experience that allowed him to gain a greater appreciation for his Hispanic roots and bilingual upbringing.

“I can remember growing up and switching the station anytime I jumped into my father’s pick-up truck,” admits Tom. “He always had it on a Tejano station and I only wanted to listen to Top 40 music! But once I got back from Spain, I couldn’t get enough of mi cultura Latina… music, telenovelas, everything!”

After graduating from MSU, Tom returned to his hometown to work as a television reporter/weather anchor/fill-in anchor at the Rio Grande Valley’s CBS affiliate, KGBT-TV. Among his many roles, Tom served as the Bureau Chief in the region’s largest city, Brownsville, and had the opportunity to cover a number of stories in the region and neighboring Mexico, including covering election in Mexico and immigration. Tom would go on to work in other television markets throughout the country, including Chattanooga, TN, where he was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists for his Hispanic affairs reporting in a community that had just started to experience an influx of Hispanics into the area.

Tom moved on to work in the marketing department at Architectural Digest in Los Angeles and New York City then moved on to In Touch Weekly, before taking on the role of Associate Marketing Director at LATINA magazine, where he executed a number of events and programs with/for Latina celebrities like Jessica Alba, Prima J, Kate del Castillo and Nely Galan. In 2009, Tom moved to Tampa, Florida to escape the bitter cold. He’s now serving as the editor of Hispanically Yours.

“I’m excited to return to my roots and share the stories about Latinos influencing the world we live in!” says Tom. “I remember growing up in South Texas and seeing few brown faces in entertainment, politics, etc. Oh how the times have changed! And, I’m glad to help shine a spotlight on the growing contributions Latinos are making!”

In addition, Tom is the fashion and celebrity editor at Panache Vue magazine, a lifestyle magazine in Tampa Bay with two editions: Pinellas County and South Tampa.

Tom can be reached at tom@hispanicallyyours.com.