¡Ya Basta, Nuestra Batalla Comienza Hoy! – – – Enough is Enough, Our Battle Begins Today!

I’ve spent decades in this industry, long enough to see a pattern that’s impossible to ignore: Latinos have repeatedly been left behind. We’ve been overlooked in boardrooms, bypassed for promotions, and shut out of the C-suite. Today, the headlines tell an even more troubling story—mass layoffs and decisions that disproportionately impact proven Hispanic leaders. Multicultural departments have been gutted, leaving little expertise or commitment to driving growth through the Hispanic market.

Industry giants—Paramount, OMG, Kaiser Permanente, McDonald’s, Pepsi, and more—have let go of extraordinary executives like Karen Vega, Beatriz Rojas, Max Gallegos, Esperanza Teasdale, and Michael Roca. These aren’t early-career professionals caught in an AI shift. These are seasoned leaders who delivered consistent performance and paved the way for companies to win with Hispanic consumers.

Sadly, the underinvestment in our segment isn’t new. What is new—and unacceptable—is seeing one of our own used as a scapegoat for decisions he didn’t make. Recently, Cracker Barrel’s shareholders voted to remove Gilbert Dávila from their board, blaming him for a logo change, a marketing pivot, and revenue decline. Meanwhile, all nine other board members—along with the CEO and CMO, who actually directed those decisions—remained in place.

Anyone who understands governance knows that boards act collectively. Holding Gilbert solely responsible isn’t just wrong; it’s an insult to our intelligence and our community. And yet, the silence around this injustice has been deafening.

Gilbert has been one of the strongest, clearest voices for inclusive marketing—long before it became a business imperative. His leadership has shaped the industry, helping brands see the undeniable value in representing all consumers authentically. He opened doors to overlooked audiences, especially Latinos, and drove real business growth with integrity, data, and heart. His influence has transformed how modern marketers think about culture, relevance, and inclusion.

At a time when inclusive practices are being challenged, Gilbert’s courage and clarity are more important than ever. Yet recent articles have misrepresented his legacy and contributions. They diminish the impact of a leader whose work has strengthened companies, elevated communities, and moved our industry forward. I refuse to let those distortions stand—and I hope everyone who knows Gilbert will do the same.

We must raise our voices. We must share the truth about Gilbert’s leadership, his character, his results, and his unwavering commitment to growth through inclusion. And we must ensure that when companies consider board appointments, promotions, or investments, they understand that our community will not accept injustice, invisibility, or the minimization of our contributions.

Gilbert, amigo—hermano—it is an honor to know you, work alongside you, and witness your leadership in our industry, our community, and our country. ¡Pa’lante!

All HispanicAd’s readers are welcome to opine and be published ………

Gene Bryan
CEO
HispanicAd