National Hispanic Media Coalition   to Host 9th Annual Local Impact Awards Luncheon

NHMC Will Honor Latino Community Leaders

Radio Bilingüe honored for outstanding community radio service

PASADENA—(NHMC – Aug 30, 2011)— The National Hispanic Media Coalition ( NHMC ) proudly announces its 9^th Annual Local Impact Awards Luncheon  to be held on Thursday, September 8^th, at the Westin Hotel in Pasadena, California. The Local Impact Awards honor individuals and entities whose achievements have greatly benefited the Latino community in California.

“As hate crimes against Latinos rise in California, it becomes more relevant than ever to celebrate the great achievements of the Latino community and to encourage positive portrayals of Latinos in the media,” states Alex Nogales, NHMC President and CEO.

This year's Local Impact Awards’ categories are  Excellence in Broadcast Journalism,  Outstanding Service to the Latino Community  in Radio Broadcasting, and  Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Latino Community. The 9^th Annual Local Impact Awards  Luncheon is sponsored by Google and Univision. KPWR’s Big Boy and KNBC’s Ana Garcia will serve as Masters of Ceremonies.

Congressman Esteban Torres (Ret.), Chair for the National Latino Media Council, is receiving the  Outstanding Service and Commitment to the Latino Community Impact Award. Congressman Torres served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years.  He is a nationally recognized environmental activist, a former Ambassador to the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and served as Special Assistant to the President for Hispanic Affairs under President Jimmy Carter. 

Radio Bilingüe is receiving the  Outstanding Service to the Latino Community in Radio Broadcasting Impact Award. Radio Bilingüe has served the Latino community for over 30 years and has become a powerful source of news and cultural information for all Latinos. Radio Bilingüe operates six community radio stations in California: KSJV - Fresno, KMPO - Modesto / Stockton, KTQX - Bakersfield, KHDC - Salinas, KUBO - El Centro, and KVUH - Laytonville / Mendocino. Through its 24 hours of satellite programming, Radio Bilingüe also reaches listeners in over 100 communities throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico .

Univision’s Gabriela Teissier is receiving an  Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Impact Award for her outstanding professional performance. Teissier co-anchors the morning newscast at Univision 34, KMEX-TV, the number one Spanish language television station in the country. For the last seven years, Teissier has enchanted the Los Angeles audience with her unique combination of journalistic scrutiny and grace while interviewing world leaders about issues that impact the Latino community.

Danny Romero, weathercaster from ABC7 Eyewitness News, will also receive the  Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Impact Award. While also doubling as co-host of “Vista L.A.,” he still finds time to work with several non-profit organizations. Romero boasts an impressive resume. Soon after serving as a weekend weathercaster for Channel 8, he was hired to be the primetime weathercaster for KCOP in Los Angeles. Seven years later, he joined KNBC. Romero has been with ABC7 since 2005.

Kathy Vara, a morning news icon, will also be awarded an  Excellence in Broadcast Journalism Impact Award. Vara has been welcomed into Los Angeles-area homes to help viewers start their day for the past 17 years.  She is currently an anchor on KNBC’s award-winning newscast, “Today in LA.” Prior, she served as an anchor on KABC’s early-morning newscast for 9 years.

Beyond honoring those individuals and entities whose achievements have greatly benefited Latinos in California, the Annual Local Impact Awards Luncheon serves as a fundraiser to help NHMC carry out its mission to advocate for and recognize those Latinos in the media who are     making a difference. Sponsorship opportunities can be found at:  http://www.nhmc.org/content/sponsorship-opportunities-0 .

ABOUT NHMC

The  National Hispanic Media Coalition  is a non-partisan, non-profit, media advocacy and civil rights organization established in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. Its mission is to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media and telecommunications industries, and advocate for media and telecommunications policies that benefit Latinos and other people of color.

Please direct all sponsorship and ticket information inquiries to:

Nilda Muhr

NHMC P rograms and Outreach Coordinator

(626) 792-6462

nmuhr@nhmc.org

Please direct all news media inquiries to:

Rosalia Tenorio

NHMC Director of Communications

(626) 792-6462 ● (213) 718-0732
rtenorio@nhmc.org