Tag Archives: Colin Powell

Jimmy Smits Taking Part in PBS’ Virtual “National Memorial Day Concert”

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Jimmy Smits is honoring the military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces in a special way…

The 64-year-old half-Puerto Rican actor will be taking part in the National Memorial Day Concert.

Jimmy Smits

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, this year’s show will be a virtual concert. But creators hope it takes on a special resonance.

“These important rituals and holidays have a whole meaning for all of this time too,” said executive producer Michael Colbert. “We are certainly completely focused on what Memorial Day is, but I feel like at this time it is touching so many of us today.”

The National Memorial Day Concert willair on PBS on Sunday at 8:00 pm ET. The 90-minute show honors members of the military and veterans with performances and personal stories, it’s is a 31-year tradition.

Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise are returning to host the event, with a line up that includes former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Cynthia Erivo, Renée Fleming, Trace Adkins, CeCe Winans, Kelli O’Hara, Mary McCormack, Christopher Jackson and the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jack Everly, as well as General Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The broadcast will also feature performances from previous concerts, including those by Sam Elliott, Laurence Fishburne and Esai Morales.

Colbert believes that the concert, which has honored sacrifices made in wars of the past, sends an important message for what the country is going through today. The event also will spotlight those who have been on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis, including first responders, doctors, nurses, grocery clerks, truck drivers and postal workers.

“We just felt that, to have that focus on what we have already gone through, will bring a real connection to people to what is going on today, to show that we are going to get through this,” he said.

Also woven throughout the show will be messages from entertainers and other artists directed at members of the military, veterans and front-line workers. The list includes Chris Evans, George Clooney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore, Jimmy Kimmel, Mark Wahlberg and Smits. 

The National Memorial Day Concert also will air on the American Forces Network, and will be streamed on YouTube and Facebook, as well as PBS.org. It also will be available on demand.

Here’s the list of performers with taped messages: Anthony Ramos, Blair Underwood, Brian Tee, Chely Wright, Chris Evans, Courteney Cox, Denis Leary, Dule Hill, George Clooney, Graham Greene, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jennifer Garner, Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Smits, Jon Hamm, Julianne Moore, Lindsey Vonn, Lisa Kudrow, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Wahlberg, Milo Ventimiglio, Noah Wylie, Rita Moreno, S. Epatha Merkerson, Steven Weber, Sugar Ray Leonard, Vanessa Williams.

Also participating in new and some past selected performances are members from the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Chorus, the U.S. Army Voices and Downrange, the Soldiers’ Chorus of the U.S. Army Field Band, the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and Service Color Teams provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Cisneros to Chair the National Hispanic University’s Advisory Board

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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.