14th Annual Los Angeles Impact Awards Luncheon Celebrates Local Latino Leaders
Just ahead of Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) honored local Latinos making a positive difference through a variety of media, at its 14th annual Los Angeles Impact Awards Luncheon at the Hilton Universal City Hotel in Universal City. Honorees included Los Angeles Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez; “La Cucaracha” creator Lalo Alcaraz; Telemundo52 news anchor Dunia Elvir; ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Sid Garcia; and KTLA reporterElizabeth Espinosa.
“Every one of you gathered here has made a significant impact on the Latino community–you are our storytellers and our inspiration,” said Alex Nogales, president of the National Hispanic Media Coalition in welcoming the honorees. “Today, we salute all that you do to bring our perspectives to the page and to the airwaves, fostering a greater understanding of our lives and our culture and elevating our voices in your own unique ways.”
Luis J. Rodriguez, official Poet Laureate of Los Angeles spoke about the impact of storytelling:
“The best media is that which captures these voices, visions, and values in all its diversity with the common thread that binds us-stories.Stories are the storehouse of human experiences. This is the real value, the true wealth, of our communities. Each person is a cauldron of stories and good stories speak to all our humanity.”
Elizabeth Espinosa, reporter with KTLA, noted how important diverse journalism is during a time when hate speech is rampant:
“At a time when hateful rhetoric permeates the airwaves, it is more important than ever to raise our voices as journalists in support of tolerance, understanding and a real effort to seek out the truth. And it is critical to promote diversity in newsrooms given the fast pace of globalization that is happening everywhere which requires a myriad of cultural backgrounds by broadcasters and news managers in order to tell informative stories in the appropriate context.”
Lalo Alcaraz, creator of “La Cucaracha,” on opening doors for other Latinos and amplifying their voices:
“In today’s current xenophobic political climate where people pretend that there is an ideal monocultural America, it is more important than ever for people of color to demand our rights to be seen and heard in print, film, television and internet media. I have worked to increase representation of Chicanos and Latinos in the media so that no brown kid has to grow up wondering if they are valued by society or not. Invisibility is not acceptable.”
Sid Garcia, reporter for ABC7 Eyewitness News, on serving their audience:
“Diversity, as one of my former bosses once said, is good business. Your station needs to reflect the audience you serve. We do that at ABC7. This award recognizes the hard work we do at ABC7 Eyewitness News. I was humbled when I was notified that I would receive this great recognition. I work hard to represent my community and my station in a very positive light.”
Dunia Elvir, News Anchor, Telemundo 52 Los Angeles on the support she has received:
“I am humbled to be recognized amongst my colleagues and peers for the commitment we all share of delivering accurate news and information to serve our Hispanic community. This award is especially important because it represents two decades of unwavering support from family, friends and colleagues who have allowed me to pursue my dream.”
Big Boy, award-winning radio show host; Laura Diaz, Emmy award-winning anchor, reporter and producer at Fox 11 News; and Rick Garcia, Emmy award-winning anchor for CBS 2, emceed the luncheon and awards presentation.
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