MANÁ Launches First-Ever Local Social Impact Initiative as Part of Second Leg of U.S. tour

Following decades of world-wide service and advocacy, MANÁ, Latin America’s most influential band, has announced the launch of their first ever local social impact initiative as part of the second leg of their wildly successful US tour. The band will donate a portion of proceeds from their México Lindo y Querido tour to chosen local organizations providing need-based services and advocating for structural change in markets. A total of 11 local organizations were chosen, along with four national advocacy and voter registration partners: Latino Victory Foundation, PoderLatinx, Mi Familia Vota and Mamas Con Poder.

The effort will kick off in September, with a portion of the proceeds from their Texas shows funding The Maite Yuleana Rodriguez memorial scholarship, in honor of the tragic loss of 10-year-old Maite and her classmates at Uvalde’s Robb Elementary School shooting. Maite was one of the 19 children who lost their lives when a gunman entered the elementary school with an assault rifle. One of the ways Maite’s family was able to identify her body was by her favorite green converse with a heart shape on the right toe she had drawn on herself. She had earlier told her mom she drew a heart on them, “just because it looked pretty.” Maite’s dream was to be a marine biologist, an aspiration close to the heart of MANÁ who have worked extensively to support marine life in Mexico through their Selva Negra Foundation. The scholarship fund, established by her mother, provides opportunities to Latino youth to follow their educational dreams.

“At the heart of MANÁ is the belief that our music can be a vehicle for social good. Our concerts are a celebration of life and hope where all are welcome,” said Fher Olvera, lead singer of MANÁ. “Through this initiative, we want to do tangible good in the communities where we perform by highlighting and financially supporting organizations that are striving to help the Latino community.”

Early this summer, the legendary band concluded the first leg of the tour, playing 18 sold out shows to over 240,000 enthusiastic fans, who night after night sang at the top of their lungs to hits including “Rayando el Sol,” “Clavado En Un Bar,” “Mariposa Traicionera,” and many more. The tour will resume in Houston Texas on September 1st then continue on to Las Vegas, San José, Sacramento, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark, Orlando, Austin, San Diego, Phoenix, Fresno and finish in Los Angeles.

Following is the list of chosen recipients in each market:

TEXAS: Maite Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship and Latino Victory Foundation

• Friday, September 1st – 8:30 pm – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
• Saturday, September 2nd – 8:00 pm – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center
• Friday, September 8th – 8:30 pm – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
• Saturday, September 9th – 8:00 pm – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center

The Maite Yuleana Rodriguez Scholarship will be awarded to a student from Uvalde who is pursuing a degree in marine biology. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi wanted to honor the memory of Maite Rodriguez after learning of her desire to become a student at Texas A&M. The scholarship was created by the university and her mother.

Latino Victory Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that engages in research, non-partisan civic engagement, strategic communications and leadership development. This is a non-partisan effort to raise awareness about Latinos’ contributions to the United States and build greater understanding between Latinos and other communities. The foundation seeks to strengthen the country through conversation and uplift the values of inclusion and civic engagement.

ARIZONA/CALIFORNIA: Border Angels: Humanitarian Aid and Migrant rights

• Saturday, September 16th – 8:00 pm – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
• Wednesday, November 22nd – 8:30 pm – San Diego, CA – Aztec Bowl at San Diego State

Border Angels provides humanitarian aid and advocacy to immigrants and refugees at the U.S.-Mexico border. They offer a range of services, including water drops in the desert, shelter support, and education and advocacy to promote immigrant rights and social justice.

NEVADA: DREAM Big Nevada/ Dreamer Moms DACA Renewals, DREAMer scholarships

• Sunday, September 17th – 8:30 pm – Las Vegas, NV – TMobile Arena

Dreamer Moms is a project of DREAM Big Nevada. They serve Nevada’s immigrant families through direct services and by empowering community members to advocate for themselves and others in similar situations. Serving and empowering the community is at the center of what they do. They cultivate civic engagement by educating the community about how immigration, education and other issues intersect with their lives.

CALIFORNIA: La Mesa Verde Sustainable gardening for low-income families

• Friday, September 22nd – 8:30 pm – San Jose, CA – SAP Center at San Jose
• Saturday, September 23rd – 8:00 pm – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center

La Mesa Verde is a non-profit organization based in San Jose, California that promotes sustainable agriculture and provides access to healthy, organic produce for low-income families. The organization was founded in 2009 and has since grown to serve over 1,200 families. La Mesa Verde’s primary program is the “Home Gardens” initiative, which provides families with the resources and education needed to grow their own organic produce in their front or backyards. The program includes a garden installation kit, which includes raised garden beds, soil, and seeds, as well as gardening classes and ongoing support from staff and volunteers. The effort will help fund over 250 garden beds for local community members.

COLORADO: Green Latinos Environmental justice and climate change

• Friday, September 29th – 8:30 pm – Denver, CO – Ball Arena

Green Latinos is an active comunidad of Latino/a/x leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.

ILLINOIS: La Casa Norte Housing and education for at risk youth

• Sunday, October 1st – 8:30 pm – Chicago, IL- United Center

La Casa Norte provides housing, food, and support services to youth and families experiencing homelessness in Chicago, with a focus on serving the Latino population. They offer a range of programs, including supportive housing, food assistance, case management, and youth education and employment services.

PENNSYLVANIA and FLORIDA: MAMAS CON PODER Advocacy and women’s defense

• Saturday, October 21st – 8:00 pm – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center
• Saturday, October 28th – 8:00 pm – Orlando, FL – Amway Center

Mamás con Poder addresses the most critical issues facing women, mothers, and families, and we organize to do the following:

• We bring directly to our leaders the experiences of our nation’s women and mothers;
• We amplify the voices of women and their problems in the media through all platforms (print media, radio, blogs and others);
• We created a popular movement in the country’s capital;
• We put pressure on companies for the fair treatment of women and mothers, and also for them to guarantee the safety of their products.

NEW JERSEY: ICC Ironbound Community Corporation

• Sunday, October 22nd – 8:30 pm – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

ICC works with the people of Ironbound to identify needs and develop community-based solutions for them. ICC strives to empower people to better control and develop their own lives, families, and community. ICC impacts the lives of Ironbound residents both at the individual and community levels. Whether it’s preparing children for kindergarten and life-long success with high quality early childhood education, or negotiating land use with industry and government, ICC’s priority is to support the people of the Ironbound with the services, resources, and opportunities they need, want and deserve.

CALIFORNIA: UNITED FARM WORKERS in memory of Elidio Hernandez

• Friday, December 1st – 8:30 pm – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center

United Farmworkers aims to serve and support farmworkers in California by providing programs and services to better their quality of life. The organization was formed to offer and create opportunities that would enable farmworkers to develop personal and professional skills. The foundation has five areas in which it models its services: Education, Health & Wellness, Workforce Development, Immigration Services, and Community Engagement.