MillerCoors unveils Hispanic Líder of the Year.

MillerCoors announced that Lupe Barrera, from the National Latino Peace Officers Association, has received the 2008 Líder of the Year Award.

According to Joedis Avila, Multicultural Relations Manager for MillerCoors, the Líder of the Year Award is part of the company’s Líderes program and is intended to raise awareness about the important work and contributions Hispanic leaders are making in their communities. The Líderes Program, launched in 2006, celebrates and supports leadership within the Hispanic community.

MillerCoors will spotlight Barrera’s work through a print ad featured in several national and local publications. The National Latino Peace Officers Association (NLPOA) will receive a $25,000 grant to support a leadership program in partnership with MillerCoors. “Lupe’s dedication inspires those around her, and she proves that one person can make a huge difference,” said Avila.

“I am deeply honored to be receiving the 2008 Líder of the Year Award from MillerCoors,” said Barrera. “The fact that MillerCoors chose to spotlight the important work we do at the National Latino Peace Officers Association is inspiring and really validates our mission. The grant will help to support and expand our reach in the Hispanic community.”

Founded in 1972, the National Latino Peace Officers Association seeks to eliminate prejudice and discrimination in the criminal justice system, reduce community juvenile delinquency and lessen citizen tension in predominantly Latino communities. Lupe’s dedication to community service is in line with NLPOA’s core values, which are honoring family, promoting education, leadership, serving our community. Thanks to her commitment to the community, Lupe has contributed to the success of thousands of Hispanics.

For the past two years, the Líderes program has showcased national and local leaders in the Hispanic community through an advertising campaign portraying the diverse demographics represented in the U.S. Hispanic community, celebrating its leadership, biculturalism and bilingualism.

In 2008, the MillerCoors Líderes ads featured 14 Hispanic leaders selected with the input of Hispanic national and local non-profit partners and organizations to help identify community leaders who represent the values of their organizations and the communities they serve. The public was invited to participate in selecting the Líder of the Year by casting their vote online through the MillerCoors Líderes website, www.CoorsLideres.com http://www.CoorsLideres.com . More than 11,000 individuals cast their vote online during the voting period from November 1st to November 12th.

In 2007, Lillian Rodríguez López, president of the Hispanic Federation, was the recipient of the Coors Hispanic Líder of the Year award. In 2006, Rosa Navejar, president of the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, received the honor.