Shakira spotlighting smiles with Crest

So it's not news that Shakira has been endorsing Crest 3D White Strips for a little over a year now, but what I do find interesting is facts/figures on Latinos and oral health.

According to a re-fielded national survey led by the Hispanic Dental Association Foundation (HDAF) and sponsored by Procter & Gamble (P&G) brand Crest, Latino's knowledge about oral health has improved since 2011. Take a look at some key findings below.

Social Media Conferences for Latinos

Photo via the Hispanicize Facebook Page

Back when I worked in Philadelphia, I would attend local and national conferences that pretty much brought a lot of insight to many industries. I've recently taken a step back (for no reason), but as I search more and more conferences, I tell myself, "Sign me up!" Although I am attending the Social Media Tourism Symposium in Nashville next month, I need something that speaks to me at another level.

So naturally I did some more research and came up with this nifty list below.

News You Can use: Lists, first birthdays, Puerto Rico, and more!

From Al Dia: Alex Guevara (l) with his older sister, Dolly.

It's about that time! Here's your weekly "news you can use" where I highlight local and national stories of interest. Do you have an interesting story? Pass it along!

• Mis Primeras Mañanitas - Being Latino and Fisher Price give us the rundown about how to celebrate your baby's first birthday. Oh...there's also a contest as well :).
• 40 Under 40: Latinos in American Politics - Honestly who doesn't love a good list...especially on Latinos. Fact: There are only three Latino Senators, all Cuban-American men.
• ‘Isla del Encanto’ Public Art Mural Finally Finds a Home in Holyoke, Massachusetts - What's Hispanic Heritage Month without a good ol' fight about arts and culture in the community?
• When a Young Latino does in our city, there is only silence - And it's true. The media was all over the gay couple that was brutally attacked by a group of twenty-somethings. But what about this story?

Brands and their Hispanic Heritage Month promotions

Well it seems as though Hispanic Heritage Month is in full bloom and I'm seeing more and more promotions from major corporations and brands.

Just recently I received and email from iTunes which is owned by Apple. The email stated:

For a limited time, chart-topping albums from great Latin artists like Romeo Santos, Selena, Marc Anthony, Enrique Iglesias, and Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga are available for just $5.99.

And I must say I was really tempted to purchase the Enrique Iglesias album; especially after attending his concert with Pitbull at Boardwalk Hall. Alas, I did not purchase. I recently started listening to iTunes' variety of playlists. I even put on a Charlie Zaa playlist for my mom (during a road trip) and she asked, "How the hell do you have this music?!"

I did some quick Hispanic Heritage Month Twitter research and found a good number of brands/corporations capitalizing on Twitter. Are there any brands you'd like to recognize for their HHM outreach?

See the tweets after the jump.

The Hispanic Choice Awards honors PA, NJ and Delaware Latino professionals

Although Hispanic Heritage Month runs year round, in Philadelphia, there's no better way to close out the month with an awards show.

The Hispanic Choice Awards (HCA) honors Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware’s Latino professionals, organizations and businesses across all sectors via a three-part event: a red carpet entrance via media row, the televised awards ceremony featuring live performances from today’s top Latin music performers and appearances by local & national leaders and a VIP After Party. I've had the opportunity to attend a few of these award ceremonies and it's great to see local leaders honored.

This year's HCA's will take place on Sunday, October 11 at the Merriam Theater. Click here to purchase your tickets.

In 2013, Eddie Palmieri was honored with the Living Legend Award which is presented to a Latino icon who has touched, moved and inspired the world through an unrelenting commitment to their passions and dreams.

NCLR ALMA Awards want you to #ShowOffYourALMA

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@mayorgadc is ready for #ALMA14! #ShowOffYourALMA

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Since 1995, the NCLR ALMA Awards (American Latino Media Arts) has honored outstanding Latino artistic achievements in television, film, and music. The show is an integral part of NCLR’s mission to create greater opportunities for Hispanic families in the United States. As a national prime-time television special with a cause, the NCLR ALMA Awards demonstrates how inclusion strengthens the entertainment industry and diversity strengthens our country by promoting fair, accurate, and representative portrayals of Latinos. Past ALMA awardees have included Robert Rodriguez, Rosario Dawson, Antonio Banderas, George Lopez, and other astounding Latinos in media.

This is taking Latinos in media in a strong direction but at the same time why should we create our own awards ceremony? The United People for Latinos in Film & Theater Facebook page always produces thought provoking post on this very topic. But I digress.

JC Penny partners with Monica Gonzalez

So it's Hispanic Heritage Month and all across the United States, brands are teaming up with Latino influencers to support various causes. Some brands try harder than others, some are just starting, and others have been doing it for years.

I will say JC Penny has a strong Latino presence online and in the market place. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, JC Penny partnered with soccer commentator and Olympian, Monica Gonzalez, to host a free soccer clinic for Houston-Area girls. Girls between the ages of 8-16 with an interest in soccer gathered to learn about the Gonzo Soccer Academy, the importance of physical condition as well as her decision-making tips to help them become future leaders in their communities.

Living a healthy lifestyle is imperative within Latino communities. In 2010, 28.2 percent of Latino children between the ages of 2-19 are overweight or obese (compared with 31.7 percent of all children those ages). These programs along with Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign are important and we should all be aware and get involved with teaching our children about living healthy lifestyles.

theHispanic is back with "News You Can Use"

So I've been neglecting this blog for quite some time now. It's been about 4 months since my last post and even before that, I sporadically posted. I have no excuses. The Latino community in the United States is very important to me and I must continue sharing these stories. So...let's make this happen!

With that being said, let's start out with a weekly "news you can use" where I highlight local and national stories of interest.

• Sanchez wants language access in all city agencies (Philadelphia)
• Jessica Alba talks Latina identity, complexities of race in new generation
• Latino Partnership Leadership Institute Class 2015 (Philadelphia)
• Ken Trujillo entering race for Mayor of Philadelphia
• Latin run food trucks

So do you have a story to tell? Feel free to send me an email or tweet me!