Empowerment

When I was a junior in college I took a class called “Sexual Diversity and Social Change.” The class broke down gender identity and roles, challenging you to look at their social constructs and think about if (and how) the notion of gender could be organized differently.

In this small class of about 15 to 20 people, I was the minority, a one woman wolf-pack; I was the lone heterosexual. Gay, lesbian, bisexual — even a male-to-female-pre-op-transgender-lesbian — and me. A Miami Cubanita immigrating to an ivory tower, I had imagined a wide array of situations where I might feel like a minority; this scenario was nowhere among them.

by Maria Budet – Courtesy of Zubination

After seeing Carlos Mencia’s show in Las Vegas on September 16th (Mexican Independence Day), I don’t expect him to get an invitation from Don Francisco.

The hilarious and often controversial Latino comedian commented on a plethora of topics in his show, and he was his usual equal-opportunity offender. He didn’t even spare Spanish-language TV. In his musings about education, he tied the poor academic achievement of Latino students to their parents’ proclivity for watching Spanish-language TV. Dios mio!

By Manny Gonzalez

This week I am attending the AARP Life@50+ National Event in Los Angeles, which officially kicks off today. I’m enthusiastic about participating not just to interact with other AARP members but also to be a student and learn how to have an even better life over 50.

Throughout my career, the Baby Boomer generation has commanded the attention of marketers everywhere. Now that even the youngest Boomers are crossing the age 50 threshold, this coveted consumer group continues to capture the attention of marketers in product/service categories catering to mature adults. Serving as an advocate for all over 50, AARP has been at the forefront of understanding Boomers’ unique attitudes, motivations and unique needs, including those who are Hispanic. Granted, marketing to Hispanics 50+ is a relatively new frontier since the majority of this consumer segment is relatively younger, but AARP realizes that—like the Hispanic population overall—this age demo is seeing significant populatio

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) announced that Anna Maria Chávez, who grew up in a small town in southern Arizona and rose to become deputy chief of staff to that state’s then-Gov. Janet Napolitano, has been appointed to the top post at the iconic organization. Chávez is set to officially assume her new role at the Girl Scouts National Council Session/52nd Convention in November.

No, Conde Nast chief S.I. Newhouse isn’t starting Spanish-language versions of Vanity Fair or GQ, but his editors at both of these two prominent Conde Nast titles have graced their very important September covers with Latinos. Vanity Fair features Jennifer Lopez and GQ features Mark Sanchez. I can’t recall the last time this happened. Kudos to Conde Nast. Published by Manny Gonzalez / to read more CLICK above on El Blog

If you think about it, education is at the root of many of the issues affecting US Hispanics, such as teen pregnancy, crime, poverty and health issues. That is our biggest problem. By: Enrique R. Turégano / alPunto Advertising

Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News announced that the 2011 recipient of their Award for Achievement in Hispanic Television is Monica Gadsby, CEO, U.S. Multicultural & Latin America, Starcom MediaVest Group. The award will be presented at the Hispanic Television Summit, on Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at the Marriot Marquis New York Hotel.

John Leguizamo, the comedian and actor who will serve as ambassador to the upcoming Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York, got a surprise scolding from his father on Friday.

“Stop telling people you are Puerto Rican” was essentially the message from Alberto Leguizamo in an interview with the El Diario newspaper in New York. To read more CLICK above on El Blog above

Those who know me well know that I enjoy celebrating the interaction of cultures. So last night was a remarkable one and it was all due to the nation’s oldest black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. Published by Manny Gonzalez To read CLICK above on El Blog

It’s clear that President Obama never needed the 2010 Census to teach him about Latinos. By Manny Gonzalez. Available above on El Blog

In this year’s class of inductees is the first Hispanic inductee, Eduardo Caballero.

In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health and the White House Council on Women and Girls (March 11, 2011), the White House Office of National AIDS Policy will convene a meeting in recognition of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day that will bring together community groups, local health organizations, adolescent and teenage girls, national organizations and research experts to discuss the issue of HIV/AIDS and its impact on women, young women and girls.

impreMedia announced that its CEO, Monica C. Lozano has been appointed member to the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. The Council represents a group of experienced leaders that will carry out initiatives promoting growth in American businesses, creating jobs and establishing global competition.