Tag Archives: Johnson Space Center

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute to Recognize María Antonia “Toñita” Cay

Posted on by
Reply

María Antonia “Toñita” Cay will be recognized for her impact this Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Puerto Rican-born matriarch, who founded and still presides over the Caribbean Social Club in Brooklyn, has been named the 2026 Medallion of Excellence honoree by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), a Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501 leadership development organization established in 1978 by organizing members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

María Antonia “Toñita” CayToñita will be recognized at the organization’s 49th Annual Awards Gala, an unforgettable evening of recognition, culture, and community, honoring the leaders and changemakers shaping America‘s future during Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, D.C.

For more than five decades, Toñita has made Williamsburg’s Caribbean Social Club a gathering place for generations, bringing people together through music, food and Puerto Rican tradition while ensuring that no one in her community goes without a meal.

Her impact has reached national audiences through appearances including Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and her annual Toñita Fest.

Other honorees include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Maria Hinojosa, the 2026 Medallion of Excellence honoree; 2026 Chair’s Award honoree Joseph M. Acaba, the associate director for mission and strategy at NASA’s Johnson Space Center; and Legacy Award winners Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04) and Rep. Nydia Velasquez (NY-07).

The awards ceremony will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 17, 2026.

Ellen Ochoa to Receive Presidential Medal of Freedom

Posted on by
Reply

Ellen Ochoa has earned a special presidential honor…

The 65-year-old Mexican American engineer, former NASA astronaut and former director of the Johnson Space Center is among the recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Ellen Ochoa,The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the nation’s highest civilian honor. The White House last held a ceremony in July 2022.

In 1993, Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Ochoa became director of the center upon the retirement of the previous director, Michael Coats, on December 31, 2012. She was the first Hispanic director and the second female director of Johnson Space Center.

But Ochoa isn’t the only Hispanic person recognized this year.

Teresa Romero is also being honored.

The Mexican immigrant and activist is the president of the United Farm Workers and the first Latina to become president of a national union in the United States.

She has secured key victories to improve the lives of the workers who feed and fuel our nation.

Other honorees include Phil Donahue, Michelle Yeoh, former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), former Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State John Kerry and former senator Elizabeth Dole. Jesuit priest Gregory Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, also will be honored.

Others on the list include Clarence B. Jones, the civil rights activist and lawyer who helped draft Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech; swimmer Kathleen Genevieve Ledecky; educator and activist Opal Lee; astronomer Jane Rigby; and LGBT activist Judy Shepard.

Being honored posthumously will be Medgar Evers, former senator Frank Lautenberg and multi-sports legend Jim Thorpe.

Chavira to Star in CBS’ NASA-Themed Drama Pilot “Mission Control”

Posted on by
Reply

Ricardo Chavira’s career is going out of this world…

The Mexican-American actor has been cast as a series regular in CBS’ NASA-themed drama pilot Mission Control.

Ricardo Chavira

He is joining the project, from The Martian author Andy Weir, The Martian producer Simon Kinberg and CBS Studios, in a recasting.

Written by Weir and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, Mission Control revolves around the next generation of NASA astronauts and scientists who juggle their personal and professional lives during a critical mission with no margin for error.

Chavira will play Diaz, director of the Johnson Space Center. He replaces Nestor Serrano, who originally was cast in the role.

Chavira, who starred on Desperate Housewives, just wrapped a season-long recurring arc as Bruce on the CW’s Jane the Virgin, also from CBS Studios.

Additionally, he is coming off high-profile arcs on ABC’s Scandal and Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet.

Serrano to Star in CBS’ NASA-Themed Drama Pilot “Mission Control”

Posted on by
Reply

Nestor Serrano has landed an astronomical role…

The 61-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast as a series regular in CBS’ NASA-themed drama pilot Mission Control, from The Martian author Andy Weir, The Martian producer Simon Kinberg and veteran showrunner Charles Eglee (Dexter).

Nestor Serrano

Written by Weir, Mission Control revolves around the next generation of NASA astronauts and scientists who juggle their personal and professional lives during a critical mission with no margin for error.

Serrano will play Diaz, director of the Johnson Space Center.

Serrano’s credits include A.P.B., The Last Ship, Revenge and Graceland.