Advocacy Among Diverse Communities

Photo via @VotoLatino

I had the opportunity to attend an event titled "Advocacy Among Diverse Communities" presented by Change.org and the Grassroots Professional Network. This was a great opportunity to hear how minority based organizations work on advocacy campaigns and how they are integrated into the bigger picture/mission.

GALAEI moves to Philadelphia's Latino neighborhood

GALAEI, a queer Latin@ social justice organization serving the Philadelphia community since 1989 was founded to respond to the lack of support and resources for our community during the HIV epidemic. Their programs include transgender services, youth programs, and sexual health and HIV prevention.

For years (since their founding) their office was located in Center City, miles away from the community they serve. But in April...they moved back into the community. The organization was very eager to get back into the community and unlike most agencies, no appointment is needed, no impersonal office building. Executive director Elicia Gonzalez told the Philadelphia Daily News she wanted GALAEI to be "...working for and in the community."

Your Miss Universe is Colombian

So it's been a few days since Paulina Vega (Miss Colombia) was crowned Miss Universe in Doral-Miami, Florida. Well deserved you think? Like many pageants and competitions, the crowning moment usually leads to "so and so was robbed" across all social media.

A real show stopper: STOMP

I had the wonderful opportunity (thanks to the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts) to attend Stomp at the Merriam Theater in Philadelphia. This was a part of their "Tweet Seats" program to get social buzz going for the show.

Although I've heard great things about the show and have seen the ads, I didn't know what to expect. But I can honestly say I enjoyed myself a lot. The idea behind making sounds and music (and a story) from everyday household items, to me, was not only interesting but entertaining. It wasn't just the performers making music, they brought the audience into the story as well.

Art matters in the Latino community

I'm not an artist...that's pretty obvious. But I can appreciate what the arts and culture world does for people and communities. Whether on a local or national scale, it's been proven that all forms of art can enrich and change a persons life. It's important to also grasp how important it is in the Latino community.

I've met some incredible Latino artists in the last 9 years in Philadelphia. Those including Tony Rocco, Julia Lopez, Michelle Ortiz, Luz Salas to name a few. I was also fortunate enough to serve on the host committee for the National Association of Latino Arts & Cultures conference when it was held in Philadelphia in 2012. An amazing opportunity to meet people in the industry and even catch some awesome performances throughout the city.

Sigma Lambda Beta's Penn State president victim of racism

pic.twitter.com/XSgKX9p2jp

— PennStateBetas (@PennStateBetas) December 10, 2014

It's known that I'm in a predominately Latino fraternity that was founded at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. I pledged  Spring 2004 and have even written about it during my graduate studies at Saint Joseph's University. Since then I've pushed to be a better Latino male in the world we live in since in fact it's a crazy world.

Then this happened to Penn State's chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. Yep, the organization's President was approached by a group of white male student's who proceeded to pour water on him and tell him to, and I quote, "go back to your country." It's one thing to pour water but to follow up with "go back to your country" is terrible.

Coca-Cola and #HazAlguienFeliz

Instead of creating something new, it's always important to integrate new campaigns with your traditional campaigns. Of course this isn't for every corporation but Coca-Cola is doing it right. 

Dave and Busters celebrates Taco Tuesday...seriously

This week I'll be in Nashville, TN for the Social Media Tourism Symposium. During the conference attendees learn best practices in the travel and tourism industry in regards to...well social media. Case studies, content management, selling hotel rooms, e-newsletters, and brand marketing are just some of the topics we'll be discussing.

This leads me to the following: Tweets gone wrong.

Videos: Wilmer Valderrama wants us to "wave one flag"

This passed Sunday, Wilmer Valderrama attended the Hispanic Choice Awards and was presented with one of the Living Legends Awards. Although I did not attend he captured a moment of his speech on Instagram (naturally).

There seems to be two battles Latinos face in the U.S. One against those who oppose immigration and call us "illegals" and the other against ourselves. I won't dive into it but below Valderrama mentions "wave one flag" to the audience. Self-explanatory right? See the two Instagram videos below.

Although born in Miami, FL he lived in Venezuela for a good portion of his childhood.

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.

National Museum of the American Latino Campaign Contest - Part 3!

The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino are up to their annual campaign design contest again. Vote for your favorite! Only one vote per person is allowed, so be sure to tell your friends to go vote for your favorite design. A trip to Washington, D.C. for a premier Cinco de Mayo celebration, a national media campaign, and a chance to be a part of history is on the line! To be honest I'm not sure what they plan on doing with these posters considering it's the third year. Maybe when the museum finally opens we can get the ball rolling right?

I chose the piece above because it stood out the most. It clearly defined what my family has gone through and what we all aspire to become/do. Alejandro Martinez from Santa Rosa, CA says, "This piece of art work is inspired by the struggles of all Latinos, and the hope they have for a brighter future. I tried to capture the moment where one generation passes down the torch to the next generation."

Rumba with Las Gallas in Philadelphia

I am a huge fan of Las Gallas. Julia Lopez, Michelle Angela Ortiz, Magda Martinez, gather to share stories, inspire dialogue and create collaborative work together around ideas of family, traditions, religion, politics, education and gender roles. I've been to several of their events and have had the pleasure to work with them through different capacities. Each bring unique works of art and perspective. They have performed locally in Philadelphia at the Barnes Foundation, Taller Puertorriqueno, the First Person Arts Festival and across the globe.

Now they have the opportunity to perform at the 14th Annual International Festival of Poetry in Havana, Cuba! But they need our help. Join Las Gallas on Saturday, March 22 for a Rumba like no other. This is a perfect chance to support art in your community.

For a small donation of $10 you'll be able to:

• Listen to dancing beats from DJ Rahsaan 
• Taste delicious Colombian food from La Costeña Catering 
• Get your hands on new GALLAS t-shirts for men and women

Infographic: 2014 World Cup Fun Facts

Sure it's been a while since I've last posted...but hey things have been busy on my end. Anyway.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil is fast approaching and I've been seeing lots of fun facts. And who doesn't love an infographic? Notice that it's been 16 years since Colombia last appeared in a World Cup. Sheeesh.To view the entire schedule and to place your bets, click on FIFA's official match schedule here.

Who will you be rooting for this year?

Shakira. Rihanna. January 13.

Looks like artists are finding new ways to drop hints at songs and albums. Of course nothing will ever compare to Beyonce's self-titled album launched via iTunes with no promotional effort behind it. But according to an article on the Hollywood Reporter, "Rihanna posted a promotional photo on Instagram with the caption 'One. Week. Countdown.' Shakira took to Twitter with the graphic and announced the song's release date in two languages."

"Can't Remember to Forget You" will be available on January 13 as the first single off of Shakira's inaugural album with Sony label RCA, which is also her first since 2010’s Sale el Sol. This is probably the biggest collaboration to date since Shakira sang "Beautiful Liar" with Beyonce. Oh and Shakira is set to return to The Voice on February 24. Winning!

Univision 65 partners with 6ABC in Philadelphia

In an age where television stations are attempting to reach more "eyeballs," these stations are now creating more and more partnerships among each other. Just a few days ago, WPVI-TV will team up with Spanish-language station WUVP-TV  to start an 11 p.m. newscast on Thursday, December 26.

“Our partnership with 6 ABC in Philadelphia is a local progression of our national partnership with ABC,” said Ramon Pineda, senior vice president at WUVP-TV Univision 65. “The addition of Philadelphia to the roster of existing partnerships reaffirms our commitment to informing, educating, and empowering the Hispanic community in the region.”

So will this threaten the newly launched Telemundo62 newscast via Comcast Universal and NBC10? Time will tell.

Click here to watch the promo announcement.

Amtrak launches DescubreNorteAmerica.com

In today's "businesses are still looking into Hispanic marketing" news, Amtrak launched a bilingual microsite targeting Hispanic consumers: DescubreNorteAmerica.com. Although Amtrak.com (main website), will be the official travel-planning resource for all travelers, the microsite is a culturally focused travel site that hosts unique and original multicultural voices of a rotating set of featured bloggers. 

The blog (currently at 3 posts) so far doesn't necessarily focus on selling any tickets. The latest post, "Batter up! The legacy of Dominicans “Domi-nating” the world of baseball," discusses Dominican influence in baseball and vice versa. According to the press release and Lilliana Lopez, Amtrak editor of DescubreNorteAmerica.com, "Diversity begins with respect. Respect for the community, for culture and, of course for you." I love it! The blog pushes a message that we (Latinos) speak both English and Spanish and do indeed travel. Looking forward to reading the wide range of topics. 

Amtrak also launched two additional microsites: MyBlackJourney.com for African American consumers and AmtrakRideWithPride.com for the LGBT community. 

The ongoing Hispanic versus Latino story

The truth is, we do care. According to a new Pew Research Center survey of Hispanic adults, half (50%) say they have no preference for identifying with either Hispanic or Latino. But among those who do have a preference, “Hispanic” is preferred over “Latino” by a ratio of about 2-1. Texas however has something else to say about the topic. According to the survey, among Hispanic Texans 46% prefer the term Hispanic, while just 8% say they prefer the term “Latino”—roughly a 6-to-1 ratio.

You actually have to dig deeper because some people will say neither, they will say American. But others will report back to their country of origin like Colombian or Puerto Rican. The identifying term is very important because this is how businesses and organizations cater towards our community. If you see an ad referring to the term Latino, but you prefer Hispanic, you may not want their product or service.

I'm actually very surprised the term Hispanic is still high in percentage since in reality, it was a term defined by the U.S. government and only ties us with Spanish roots. Latino encompasses all three cultures: Spanish, African, Indigenous. I honestly named this blog after Geraldo River's book, however, I prefer the term Latino. It's also evident that in mainstream media and professional organizations, the term Hispanic is used more often than Latino.

So what's your preference?

The Latin Quarter arrives at Revel Casino Hotel

Today Revel Casino Hotel launched opening of their newest stage production The Latin Quarter Show. The Latin-themed variety show includes Flamenco dancers, dramatic Gauchos, a heart-stopping crossbow act, award winning ballroom dancers, mind blowing quick change artists, gorgeous production show dancers, and a hilarious host comedian, all framed with stunning multimedia.

I must say my favorites including the crossbow act, something I've never seen, and the comedian. Although the crowd was not getting his jokes and they were a bit vulgar, it was hilarious to me. In between the show there are a variety of dancing acts as well. Everything from flamenco to the inevitable Elvis Crespo's Suavemente.

Performances will take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays at 2, 5 and 8 p.m.Tickets are only $25 and are on sale now! They can be purchased at all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com and by calling 1-800-745-3000.

Miss America debuts "Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency"

In case you didn't know, I absolutely love Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri. Crowned in Atlantic City on September 15, 2014, Nina has taken a huge stance on with a platform of diversity and cultural competency. And just recently launched a social media program for her personal platform, "Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competency." Nina has been working on these issues for several years and will now use her national platform to raise awareness. When Nina was crowned Miss America, the backlash began. And although she knew it would come since it happened when Nina was crowned Miss New York, she didn't let it faze her.

Nina is asking fans to forward representative thoughts and stories about their experiences on how we as a nation can advance cultural awareness.  People can send information using the hashtag #CirclesOfUnity on Twitter to @MissAmerica, Instagram to @missamericaorg and to Facebook.com/MissAmericaOrganization. 

Nina is also the first Miss America of Indian descent. Ironically there were various articles floating around stating Nina would be too dark to win Miss India.  "She isn't the Miss America of ten years ago and she's not going to be the same ten years down the road," said Nina Davuluri. "I'm so thankful that children watching at home can relate to a new Miss America. They can look at me and see that they can break barriers, be who they are and be successful despite their race or socio-economic status. I want to use this opportunity to encourage positive dialogue among all Americans about the ways in which we are all unique and how that makes us stronger as a country."

What to do to piss off Latinos in America and everywhere else...

...You try to patent Dia de los Muertos. According to the Huffington Post article, "The entertainment giant filed trademark applications on May 1 for the phrase “Dia de los Muertos,” the subject of an upcoming animated film by Pixar studios, Mexican news site Animal Político reports." I didn't even know you could trademark something cultural. I'm assuming as large as Disney is they would have a team of experts behind them saying, "Cease and diciest!"

I don't need to go on and tell you why Dia de los Muertos is important, or maybe I should. But there was even a petition on Change.org and you know when things get on Change.org it gets series. While I am not Mexican I completely understand the cultural sensitivity behind the cause. Imagine how Mexicans (in Mexico) felt about this. Just another big top corporation attempting to take over one culture at a time. And why Dia de los Muertos you ask? That's because Mexico is pretty much taking over the U.S. one state at a time...seriously. According to the Pew Hispanic Center, "The size of the Mexican-origin population in the U.S. has risen dramatically over the past four decades—from 5.4 million in 1970 to a record 33.7 million in 2012." So why not capitalize on this money and make a move about it. Right?

This pretty much sums up our message to Disney:

Día de Muertos is a Mexican tradition, it is part of our culture!!! It s NOT a product. It CANNOT be a trademark! @disney @disneypixar
— aida luna (@aida_lu) May 7, 2013

An article on BeingLatino says, "Disney has withdrawn this petition, citing a name change for the film as the reason. That’s great news. Thanks for acknowledging all the criticism you received from potential viewers, and apologizing for your cultural insensitivity." In the end, the next time you attempt to trademark us, you should probably call your local Latino leader. This sort of reminds me of the festival celebrating Cuba yet had a Cinco de Mayo party. I guess they didn't call their local Latino leader either.