Taller PR's newest space revealed

::GASP:: I knew Taller Puertorriqueno had plans for their new building on 5th and Huntingdon but never did I imagine the building looking this awesome. During Taller PR's 16th Annual Schomburg Syposium Carmen Febo, executive director, described and showcased their newest venue. Word has it they will break ground soon but until I confirm I won't say anything else :). The new venue will bound to be an arts & culture center for all artists...Latino and non-Latino. No details have been released yet but from what these and other images show, both old buildings will turn into this amazing space, house a cafe and host multiple exhibitions as well as house artist space to create...art. To see this space come to life will not only be a dream come true for Taller PR, but it will definitely begin a change for El Centro de Oro.

PPRA Leaped Into Social Media

Earlier today I presented at the Philadelphia Public Relations Association's (PPRA)  program "Leap Into Social Media" along with Jessica Lawlor and Aimee Cirucci. The three "younger" public relations' professionals discussed tips and tricks businesses and organizations can use to improve their social media use. Whether it's for personal branding or corporate structure, social media is there and using it isn't as easy as ABC. Social media is a changing industry that can build up your corporate branding as well as make it into an open-casting call to people who just dislike life.

I'm glad there were questions about personal branding. Before you had to send a resume and bio in person (or through e-mail), but now you can add your bio in 140 characters and even create an online resume. People tend to wonder whether tweeting about your employer on your personal account is acceptable; I say yes. Just ask yourself if you do work on your personal cell phone? Most likely you do but not a lot. As you get deeper into social media, I'd suggest adding a social media policy. It really helps with dos and don'ts and just makes sense. Other than that, do what you're doing. Social media is about being social and experimenting with new initiatives.

Be sure to follow @JessLaw and @PPRA for other public relations' tips and tricks.

2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards' finalists anounced

This morning on Telemundo's Levantate, finalists were announced for the 2012 Billboard Latin Music Awards presented by State Farm. The event will  broadcast live on Telemundo on April 26. Don Omar, Pitbull, Prince Royce, Mana, Romeo Santos, Shakira and Wisin & Yandel are among the top finalists. The Billboards are one of the most watched awards show on Telemundo and is basically a huge music party. Winners are chosen via album sales and digital downloads. Did you know the Billboard Latin Music Awards' is a post-conference event? Between April 23 and April 25, music industry experts come together to discuss new trends and the state of the industry.

For a listing of all nominations, click here.

Opinion: Why Philadelphia doesn't have Latino bloggers

Time and time again I ask myself, "Where are the Latino bloggers (in Philadelphia)?" I've asked countless times via LATISM's Twitter fiestas which by the way are um awesome. I've asked professional journalists. I've seen posts on Facebook asking the same question and no one answers. I am definitely not here to toot my own horn but ask yourself this, "Is anyone in the Philadelphia Region blogging about positive issues in our community?" If the answer is no, why not? Al Dia published an article about Latino bloggers but it was focused nationally. So where are they!?

I thought about the answer to my question and came up with a broad yet interesting answer. Latinos and social media in Philadelphia doesn't really exist. We are aware of the trends but unfortunately our community is so involved with social justice issues that they fail to see how social media/blogging can support their efforts. When I attended Temple University a lot of my friends were studying "the usual" degrees. Criminal Justice, Political Science, Education, Psychology, etc. Strange how although we graduate in these industries yet make it into another field.

There is a need for social media enthused people in Philadelphia; there just isn't time. While we constantly fight battles in government (and then some), we don't seem to move forward in other battles. We get stuck in a "Latino box" as I like to call it and can't seem to find openings anywhere else. Raising the bar, seeking new opportunities is what life is about. This leads to the struggle of the older generation versus the younger generation. I only call it a "versus" since there are constant battles in our organizations.

Blogging is something that comes natural and should not be used as a selling tool. I dislike it when I hear, "I don't have time." Well find time. It has nothing to do with being an awesome writer (or maybe it does). It has to do with marketing and communications. Integrating these tools into your business is essential. Sometimes the way these Latino organizations are using SM in Philadelphia is a little sloppy. This leads to the other question about Hispanic agencies in the market. I look at Miami, Los Angeles and New York City and see a boom in Latino bloggers, agencies, etc. Egh. So why doesn't Philadelphia have any Latino bloggers? Only you can answer this question.

Highlighting our community heroes

I like it when organizations come up with cool ways to highlight our community heroes. Now a community hero can be a CEO or executive director of a company, but they can also be your average working mother, father or student. El Zol 1340AM recently made a call for those community heroes. The radio station is encouraging listeners to nominate heroes from all walks of life—the neighbor running nonprofit bake sales, a volunteer who serves the elderly at a local retirement home, a teacher building a school for the underserved, the community organizer bringing people together, a student who accomplishes.

The hero of the month will not only be featured in one of El Zol's radio programs but they'll also have the opportunity to become hero of the year and be the recipient of a daylong radiothon where they will raise money for the sponsoring organization at the end of 2012. Talk about an opportunity huh? Sorry government officials, but you can't be nominated. Not to say they are not heroes, but there are plenty of other people in our lives that deserve a little exposure. Be sure to visit elzolphilly.com and nominate today!

Video: Gloria Estefan on Glee

Because Gloria Estefan is awesome. And now she is appearing on GLEE. I wonder if she'll perform like Ricky Martin did a few weeks ago.

Opinion: Trusting your local community

I have been in Philadelphia for almost nine (9) years now and let me tell you, it's been interesting to say the least. Don't worry; I'm not going to sit here and bash anyone because that's not what I do. The relationships I have built in Philadelphia I will cherish forever. The friends I have made here are the most important because they are the ones I can go to at the end of the day and complain :). It's true because I would never complain to a colleague or coworker. Coworkers are there to talk about work...and an occasional happy hour or two. However, sometimes I find it hard to trust people in Philadelphia. I know all places are the same; but my experience living, working and playing here have been somewhat frustrating.

There are two types of Latinos in Philadelphia. There's those that stay in the barrio (neighborhood) and won't leave and then those that don't want to associate themselves and love Center City. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with either, but why can't you do both? The best is when at a young age and in college, no one really cares who you are. "Oh you're an intern? What can you do? He/she won't last. What's the point?" These are just some of the countless things people say to young people. The idea to trust people as you get older gets slimmer and slimmer.

Even during community meetings (which I attend rarely), there is a negative feeling in the air. When someone brings a new idea, no one likes it. When someone has a second opinion, no one listens. The mentality of the older generation has not been too kind over the years. I'm not saying everyone is like this, I just want to see change in our community. The mentality that one Latino culture is better than the other is getting old...real old. The years to come shall be interesting considering the change throughout the U.S. We shall see.

TIME is paying attention

Time Magazine's recent cover (which hits stores Thursday) is a clear representation of the change many people have been discussing. Ironically enough, the Wednesday night presidential debate took place in Arizona where a huge battle of immigration has been going on for more than a year now. So the question is will Latino pick the next President? Some say yes. Republican Senator Marco Rubio is also looking to swing the Republican party into the right direction. Read the entire story here.

Time Magazine says, "Nearly 9% of all voters in 2012 will be Latino, up 26% from four years ago, according to the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials." The time has come and we will choose the next President. Think we don't have the power in politics? Thing again. The change is gradual. As generations continue to pass by, our involvement in different industries will soon turn mainstream. The best part about this cover is the variety of Latinos. Remember, Latinos aren't one cultural background, we're a combination of everything.