Microsoft’s ‘Vida Digital Latina Campaign’.

Microsoft Corp. announced the official launch of the Vida Digital Latina campaign to promote computer literacy among Hispanics. Microsoft joined forces with ASPIRA, a national nonprofit organization devoted to the education and leadership development of Latino youth, and Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA), an organization founded to close the digital divide among Latino communities. Together they will offer free computer literacy education to Hispanics in Los Angeles, Miami, New York City and San Francisco. A series of free Spanish-language classes will be offered in each market and will highlight the safety features of Windows Vista and the overall program benefits.

As part of the educational seminars, technology expert and Latino cyberguy Jose Ulloa will join local Windows Vista Ambassadors to share their expertise and personal stories on integrating technology and Windows Vista into their daily lives.

“Latinos are more likely to adapt to new technology such as computers, mobile phones, cameras, MP3 players and game consoles than the general market consumer,” Ulloa said, on behalf of Microsoft’s Vida Digital Latina program.

The Vida Digital Latina platform was created to further engage and increase technology education among U.S. Latinos. Windows Vista classes and presentations are free and open to the public and will be held on the following dates:

– New York: April 25, Compass Community Center, Bronx, 10:30 a.m.
– Miami: May 14, Jobing.com offices, 8:30 a.m.
– San Francisco: May 20, Hilton San Francisco, 8:30 a.m.
– Los Angeles: June 11, Jobing.com offices, 8:30 a.m.

“Microsoft is excited to partner with organizations such as ASPIRA and LISTA to further promote computer literacy and educational outreach among the Hispanic community. Together, we hope to empower Hispanics to use technology in ways that allow them to advance in the workplace, promote communication with loved ones back home and retain valuable family memories,” said Jose Pinero, director of multicultural marketing at Microsoft. “By entering these markets and providing interactive events that allow the Hispanic community to engage and learn one-on-one, we hope to increase awareness of technology tools that widely go unused or unnoticed.”