News (Noticias) Tagged ‘non-profit’

Imagine a night of sensual Latin performers, igniting the dance floor with their passion for life, and their spirit for living. The vibrant strains of the music, combined with the flavors and spicy taste of Tapas and Empanadas, along with the distilled liquid fire of premium Tequila cocktails - this sounds like the opening of a hot new, Latin dance club in Los Angeles, right? Something you would expect in the City of Angels - but this time there is a twist. It is not a new club; it is a charity fundraiser, and a book signing hosted by Rodrigo Iglesias on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008.

Rodrigo Iglesias, a local Real Estate agent and investor, ranking in the top 1% of the Real Estate professionals internationally, wants the L.A. community to experience Latin culture at its finest with a night of dancing, fine food, and cocktails. The evening starts with Salsa Lessons with Rodrigo and Vai, recognized instructors and performers that have appeared in major commercials and on national television including the hit ABC show, Dancing with the Stars.

The duo recently choreographed for Chris Brown and Rihanna at the 2008 BET Awards and now lend their talents to create an explosive night of entertainment with a special appearance by Sandor, a Tony nominated choreographer from the acclaimed London production Forever Tango and his partner, Parissa, Antonio Banderas’ dancing coach in the film Take the Lead.

The night continues with the debut of the vocal styling of the singer Kapovianco, from Bolivia, performing his new single “Dale Pa’lante.” And as a bonus, proceeds from the event will go towards two of Mr. Iglesias’ favorite local charities - Green Dot Public Schools, a non-profit working to change the public education system in Los Angeles to emphasize leadership, and life skills, and Chicar, a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment of Latino youth through financial education, helping them to keep moving forward towards success, regardless of hardships or setbacks.

The event marks the WORLD PREMIERE of Rodrigo Iglesias’ new project, a complete Spanish translation and adaptation of the 1904 classic, “The Science of Getting Rich,” by Wallace D. Wattles. In 1995, Mr. Iglesias first experienced the impact of this book in its English form at a seminar conducted by renowned inspirational speaker, Bob Proctor. Proctor has inspired tens of thousands of people including Rhonda Byrne, writer of the extraordinarily successful book and movie, “The Secret.” Similarly, Rodrigo Iglesias was motivated to further his own career using the principals of the book, and then inspired to make this knowledge available to the Latin community for the first time - not only in Spanish, but in an easy “down to earth adaptation” of these teachings, and by integrating the training and methods into Latin music and lyrics. This unique music and lyrical combination will be heard for the first time at this special unveiling event - called Iglesias Nights.

When asked what moved him to use music as a teaching medium, Mr. Iglesias stated, “The lyrics and music help to lift the listener’s spirit, assist them in finding a sense of purpose, and open the mind and heart to a sense of passion and life that drives them to achieve anything they truly desire.”

This dynamic event is the first of many to follow with an emphasis on the flavors of Latin Culture, coupled with the much-needed encouragement of today’s youth towards achievement and prosperity. Mr. Iglesias plans to relentlessly continue his unique and powerful new approach to inspiring others to reach for their dreams - all while enjoying festive Latin music and culture at the same time. Iglesias Nights also promises to provide a great opportunity for upcoming Latin artists like Kapovianco to gain exposure, and to provide inspiration to the community, in a truly exceptional way. By combining the distinctive aspects of Latin food, music, and dancing, Rodrigo Iglesias has created a powerful method of delivering his message of personal and financial success to the public.

To learn more about Rodrigo Iglesias, Iglesias Nights, and the new Spanish language translation and adaptation of “The Science of Getting Rich” (ISBN - 978-0741446268), details can be found at the event’s website, www.iglesiasnights.com, or www.rodrigoiglesias.com. Tickets for the first event on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 are available online for $30, with proceeds going to the two charities. A VIP package is also available, and media requests should be forwarded to Veronica Jacuinde, at (310) 508-1896.”

The Cincinnati chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs has today announced that Best Upon Request CEO Tillie Hidalgo Lima will be speaking at the upcoming installment of its Power Breakfast speaker series on Thursday, June 26 at The Banker’s Club downtown.

The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and notable Texas State Agencies and Universities announced that they intend to sign an historic and unprecedented agreement worth potentially $100 Billion. In a public signing ceremony on June 24, 2008, at the Texas State Capitol, TAMACC Executive Board Members, key state legislators and university officials, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for procurement opportunities.

“This is a historic moment for TAMACC and Texas state agencies and universities,” said Ms. Arcilia Acosta, TAMACC Chair. “It is historic because of the cooperation between TAMACC and these state entities, and the amount of money that will be available to qualified Texas D/M/W/BE firms. We hope that all qualified businesses will take advantage of this opportunity.”
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for an exchange of information concerning procurement and other opportunities with Texas agencies and universities totaling over $100 Billion. Texas universities will provide the procurement opportunities and information, while TAMACC provides qualified D/M/W/BE firms.

Mr. Frank Cortez, TAMACC President & CEO, noted that the business climate in Texas is right for this type agreement. “We have worked hard and are well positioned for our member firms to take advantage of these business opportunities. I think you’re going to see a lot of excited business owners at our state convention later this month as we roll-out additional information on this new development.”

Notable state agencies and universities participating in the Memorandum of Understanding include: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas A&M University, Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin.

About TAMACC:
TAMACC is a private non-profit corporation founded 32 years ago by a small group of Hispanic business persons interested in increasing business opportunities for themselves and other similar business owners. The association, with headquarters in Austin, Texas, acts as the organizational umbrella providing advocacy, technical support, programs, and services to the network of local Hispanic chambers.
Contact: Mauricio Navarro

469.733.8137
Navarro@raizinc.com
“

The Board of the Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ISHCC) named Wilson “Wil” Reyes as the new President of the non-profit organization at their May 22nd Board of Director’s meeting.

“I am confident that Wil will do a magnificent job in leading the ISHCC to much higher places than it’s seen before. He not only brings his business experience and acumen to the ISHCC, but his passion for excellence and the heart for our community”.

Wilson Elias Reyes (Wil) was born in the Dominican Republic in 1968. His family immigrated to the Bronx, New York when he was five months old in December of that same year. He lived in New York until he was twelve years old then moved to Florida. He spent his formidable years in Orlando, Florida and joined the United States Army where he served proudly for four years. Wil is also a Persian Gulf War veteran.

Wil graduated from Indiana University with degrees in Speech Communication, English and Spanish. He also studied abroad in Sheffield, England where he received a Combined Studies/Business Degree at Sheffield-Hallam University. He also owns Bullseye Business Furniture and Kingdom Church Furniture and is part owner of several other ventures.

“I have a passion for the Hispanic/Latino community,” said Wil Reyes, new president of the ISHCC. “As President of the ISHCC, I plan to advance Hispanic business opportunities statewide.”

Wil Reyes now lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is married to Stephanie. They have two beautiful children, Sterling Victoria who is three and Lincoln Elisha who is one year old.

About the ISHCC
The Indiana State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (ISHCC) is a 501 c6 non-profit organization engaged in the improvement and advancement of the business conditions of its membership. The ISHCC was formed in 2001 to fulfill its mission of identifying and serving the growing needs of Hispanic and minority small businesses by:

providing service to members, promoting membership growth, facilitating economic development of its membership and advocating on behalf of the overall Hispanic community on issues of relevance.

For more information visit www.ishcc.org“

Greater Cincinnati integrated public relations and marketing consultancy firm Eisen Management Group has been named agency of record (AOR) for the Cincinnati Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. The professional organization has hired EMG to develop and implement a new communications program and advocacy initiative designed to awareness, sponsorships and membership.

According to EMG president Rodger Roeser, one of the main thrusts of the campaign will be to build better general understanding of NSHMBA, and to bring a more “human element” to the chapter by sharing the benefits of professional development, networking and education offered by the organization to sponsors, current and prospective membership.

“It’s an incredible group of some of the best and brightest in our city, who are passionately dedicated to building understanding and fostering leadership,” Roeser says. “We as an agency look forward to utilizing our expertise to share those stories with fellow business leaders and the general public.”

NSHMBA Cincinnati chapter president Gema Bahns explained that Eisen was chosen not only because of its success in working with other professional organizations, but also because of the shared passion for their craft between agency and client. “You can see it in their eyes and their actions how much the group at EMG cares about its craft and its clientele,” Bahns said. “We know and appreciate that we are not the largest client in the world, but they make us feel like we are. We are a passionate group of hard working professionals dedicated to something larger than any of us individually, and EMG quickly understood what we needed, and put us into motion to achieve that.”

Roeser explained that the three main communications initiatives as part of the public relations campaign are:

• You need neither be Hispanic nor an MBA to join the chapter;
• it is a powerful networking, educational and sponsorship opportunity for businesses and leaders seeking to learn, profit and reach out to a high level, diverse audience, and;
• that stereotypes regarding Hispanics need to be addressed and overcome.

Roeser said he expects the agency to implement a social media and online campaign, combined with general operations and brand alignment, local publicity, and literature development.

There are currently 200 members of the Cincinnati NSHMBA chapter.

About NSHMBA

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Widely known as the “Premier Hispanic Organization,” NSHMBA serves 32 chapters and 7,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development. NSHMBA works to prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the U.S., so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce. It’s vision is to be the premier Hispanic MBA professional business network for economic and philanthropic advancement, and its mission is to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development in order to improve society. More information can be accessed at www.nshmba.org.

About EMG

Eisen Management Group is a fully integrated public relations and marketing firm, providing strategic communications and marketing counsel, implementation and brand development. The firm specializes in creating growth opportunities for small to medium sized businesses, governmental and public affairs organizations, professional services, restaurant, retail and CPG. The firm also offers a full suite of in house graphic design, audio design and podcasting. Expert team, with guaranteed best agency rates in a fully integrated, responsive environment. More information can be accessed at www.BestCincinnatiPRFirm.com or by calling 859.291.4302.

-The National Trauma Institute, a non-profit grant making organization that funds short-term trauma research, has hired marketing and public relations veteran Teresa Niño to head its Communications and Legislative Affairs efforts.

Niño most recently headed the Marketing Department for the San Antonio Express-News as well as its Community Relations department and the Express-News Charitable Foundation. Prior to that, she headed the Marketing and Business Development department for the commercial business park KellyUSA for eight years, now known as Port San Antonio and was responsible for their international outreach. Niño was a researcher for marketing Guru Lionel Sosa’s book, “The Americano Dream.” In the 90’s, she was an appointee in the Clinton Administration, serving in the Office of Public Affairs for the Health and Human Services department under Secretary Donna E. Shalala; and was Assistant Press Secretary for Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley for the City of Chicago in the 80’s. Niño began her professional career as a television reporter in Chicago, Illinois.

“Teresa’s vast experience and expertise in the field of communications as well as her broad network on the political front will play a critical role as we move forward with our national agenda,” said Sharon Smith, Executive Director of the National Trauma Institute. “We are delighted to have Teresa join our team and are very excited about her vision for our growth.”

The National Trauma Institute’s mission is to fund short-term (3-5 years) trauma-related research that will change and improve current practices and procedures and thereby lower the number of deaths due to trauma. Trauma-related deaths are the number one cause of death for people ages 1-44; and trauma-related injuries occur everyday throughout America and cost our country billions of dollars in treatment and rehabilitation. Many Level 1 Trauma Centers throughout the country have closed due to lack of funds. Time consuming and repetitive surgeries, such as those necessary with traumatic injuries, become too expensive for health plans to cover or for hospitals to get reimbursed. The number of casualties and injuries has increased due to the war and the opportunity to learn and implement best practices in emergency situations needs to be researched and proven. As has been shown with diseases such as AIDS and Cancer, when funds are allocated to research, and practices are changed, the number of deaths is reduced.

Niño serves on various local boards and committees and has received numerous awards for her charitable work and leadership. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA), Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) and the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ). She resides in San Antonio with her husband, Juan A. Sepúlveda, Jr., author of the book, “The Life and Times of Wilie Velasquez: Su Voto es Su Voz,” and their two children, Michael and Victoria.”*

OptumHealth announced today that its Web site for the Hispanic community, MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com (Healthy Mind-Healthy Body) received the Health Care Best in Class Award at the 2008 Interactive Media Awards. Sponsored by the Interactive Media Council, the Best in Class award is the highest honor bestowed by the non-profit organization.

Unlike other Spanish-language wellness Web sites, MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com addresses the fact that Hispanics often rely on community support and an extended family network during times of need. Using a family-focused approach, MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com helps educate and motivate more people in the Hispanic community to seek mental health and substance use treatment.

“As a mental health clinician and a member of the Hispanic community, I understand that for some, reaching out for help may be perceived as a stigma or weakness. There also may be language barriers that interfere with our ability to find information or access treatment. OptumHealth and our sister company, UnitedHealthcare, created MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com to address these barriers by providing those in the Hispanic community that might need help, access to behavioral health resources,” says Francisca Azocar, Ph.D., OptumHealth vice president. “Our Interactive Media Award validates the fact that we created a Web site that is easy to use and rich in content to help meet the behavioral health needs of this underserved population.”

The Interactive Media Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in Web design and development, and honors individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement. Sponsored by the Interactive Media Council Inc., a nonprofit organization of leading Web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other Web-related professionals, the competition seeks to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet.

“MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com’s Best in Class Award reflects leadership in the health care industry online,” says Anna Lawrence, Interactive Media Awards spokesperson. “The site is recognized for its excellent effort in reaching out to a diverse audience in an effective and culturally appealing way.”

The judging consisted of various criteria including design, usability, innovation in technical features, standards in compliance and content. In order to win an award, Web sites have to meet strict guidelines in each area – an achievement only a fraction of sites in the Interactive Media Awards competition earn each year. The Best in Class Award indicates that a company achieved a perfect or near perfect score in the judging process.

MenteSana-CuerpoSano.com provides the general public information, resources and interactive programs to help with mental health conditions, substance use treatment and everyday life challenges, as well as a clinician search tool. The site also has a password-protected section that is the Spanish-language companion to OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions’ member portal, www.liveandworkwell.com.

About OptumHealth

As one of the nation’s largest consumer health services companies, OptumHealth makes health care easier and better for employers, health plans, public sector entities and the 61 million people with access to its services. The Company’s goal is to optimize health and promote recovery, resiliency and financial security, while lowering benefit costs and helping consumers make informed decisions about their health through standalone or integrated services. OptumHealth is a company of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH). More information about OptumHealth can be found at www.optumhealth.com.”*

The San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo Bank, and the San Francisco Business Times are calling for nominations for the 2008 Most Influential Latinos and Latinas in the San Francisco Bay Area. The purpose of the Latino Business Leadership Awards is to recognize outstanding executives and business owners from the region’s most vibrant firms.

Who: The San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFHCC) has demonstrated its Leadership in connecting the Latino community throughout the Bay Area while focusing on business development, education, marketing and networking. The SFHCC has become a trusted leader among the Latino/Hispanic business community creating strong strategic alliances and forging joint projects.

What: The nominations are open for Latinos and Latinas who have contributed to improving the quality of life for Latinos in the Bay Area.

Awards categories include: entrepreneurs, corporate executives and professionals from a skilled occupation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, field, or science is applied. You may nominate yourself, or a deserving leader.

A thirty minute segment featuring 2007 honoree interviews can be viewed on Comcast on demand (channel 1) under local events. For more information please visit www.sfhcc.com/leadership/introduction.html.

When: The deadline for nominations is August 8, 2008. Nominations can be submitted online at sfhcc.com/leadership/nominations.html or emailed to staff@sfhcc.com.

Where: Awards will be presented at the Latino Business Leadership Awards on Friday, October 17th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Intercontinental Hotel in San Francisco, located at 888 Howard Street.

For more information about the process, please contact Richard Ventura, President and CEO, of the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, at 415-278-9611 or email to richard@sfhcc.com.

San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - is a non-profit organization founded in 1984 created to represent the needs of Hispanic businesses and the Hispanic community as a whole. Its mission is to promote the economic development of our members and the Hispanic business community in San Francisco and the Greater Bay Area. The SFHCC is one of the largest Hispanic business organizations in the city. More information is also available at www.sfhcc.com.
“*

Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley has joined the board of directors for the National Society of Hispanic MBAS, an organization that fosters Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development.

The non-profit organization, founded in 1998, is governed by an 11-member board and has about 7,000 members.

Penley, president of Colorado State University since 2003, serves on numerous boards and committees as part of his efforts to elevate the university and enhance its service to students and the state of Colorado. Penley also serves on the boards of directors of the Colorado Renewable Energy Authority, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Mountain States Employers Council, the Mountain West Conference and the Rocky Mountain chapter of the Institute of International Education.

The society helps prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the nation “so they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce” as noted on the society’s Web page at www.nshmba.org.”*

A new Hispanic Event Planning Online Directory was launched this week to serve meeting and event planners with a major focus on small businesses and the Hispanic market. LatinoSpeakersBureau.com brings together Hispanic vendors and professionals often unseen and overlooked that are valuable to Meeting & Event Planners who seek diversity resources in their online searches.

Latino Speakers Bureau founder, Leonor McCall-Rodriguez, built the website directory with the needs of event and meeting professionals in mind, adding listings of keynote speakers, meeting locations and a wider variety of resources in a one-stop-shop online tool geared to showcase not only Hispanic speakers, but a broader offering of women and minority-owned small businesses.

“After 6 years of work with the Speakers Bureau and out in the Hispanic business community, we met many vendors who were not connecting with event planners and meeting professionals, so we did the same thing we did with the Bureau: we created our own online solution”, said McCall-Rodriguez, whose career spans the U.S. and Latin America with marketing and business development projects, including several Fortune 100 companies.

In this industry, she tackled the challenge of Hispanic speaking professionals to increase visibility, because they tend to operate as sole proprietorships or small businesses and compete against large scale general market bureaus. Visibility is critical in a market where speakers must highlight their programs, resumes and seminars in different languages before potential corporate, government, conference and non-profit event planners. Today, the Latino Speakers Bureau group boasts multiple sites and includes successful Latinos who travel the world with their best sellers and keynotes. Among them are Jimmy Cabrera, Joachim de Posada, Dr. Jo Ann Pina, Victor Antonio Gonzalez, Simon Silva, Maria Marin and David Gonzalez.

On LatinoSpeakersBureau.com, other small businesses and professionals such as photographers, lawyers, chefs, producers, emcees and comedians will now be part of the online directory. The new portal includes an Event calendar, Articles page, and a Classifieds section, sure to grow as minority businesses build their ads for the event and meeting industry. It has aroused a lot of interest in other countries, where event planners and speakers see this as a business networking opportunity. It is also expected to attract corporate advertisers who offer travel, production services and event locations.

One category that has aroused interest because of its cultural twist is Weddings & Quinceañeras, that will showcase professionals and services related to these life events, including culturally relevant seminars for young women and couples from Hispanic professionals.

The site will also allow McCall-Rodriguez to showcase many non-profits that constantly reach out to the Latino Speakers Bureau, including those that provide Spanish assisted services for the community across the U.S.. “One of the things I love the most about America is our volunteer spirit and non-profit activity. Our Bureau gives back to our community by providing visibility to non-profits and their causes”, she explains.

Leonor concluded, “When you see a market need, you can wait for the market to solve it, or jump in and develop your own. We feel this one was long overdue.”

Latino Speakers Bureau is a division of Mira Promo Inc., California Corporation serving the Hispanic market since 2002, with Hispanic market and multicultural business development solutions. Latino Speakers Bureau is a trademark of Mira Promo Inc.

///

Contact:
Leonor McCall-Rodriguez
310-937-2789
speakers@latinospeakersbureau.com

Charities has contributed $6,000 to the Hispanic Heritage Organization’s essay contest.

“IPA Charities is proud to support the Hispanic Heritage Organization’s essay contest for the third consecutive year,” said Dana Burgess, IPA Charities President.

Congress first proclaimed National Hispanic Heritage Month in September of 1968. Since that time, National Hispanic Heritage Month has taken place annually from September 15th to October 15th. Many of the events that take place during this month provide opportunities to celebrate, experience and enjoy the rich Latino culture and heritage including its wonderful art, food, history and music.

The Hispanic Heritage Organization is a non-profit organization promoting understanding and appreciation of the Latino culture through a variety of educational initiatives such as special events.

IPA Charities is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation dedicated to the quest of improving communities and people’s lives around the world. International Profit Associates, Inc. (IPA-IBA), the largest privately held management consulting and professional services firm for small and medium size businesses in North America, is a leading authority on small business. With annual revenues in excess of $200 million since 2005, IPA-IBA is the 6th largest management consulting company in Chicago and the 61st largest consulting company in the world. IPA-IBA offers a wide range of proven and innovative methodologies to help businesses grow and prosper. International Profit Associates and its alliance partners, including Integrated Business Analysis, Inc. (IBA), International Tax Advisors, Inc. (ITA), Accountancy Associates, LLC (AAL) and IPA Advisory & Intermediary Services, LLC (IPA A&I), provide comprehensive business advisory services and tax strategies to companies in the United States, Canada and other locations worldwide. Additional information is immediately available by visiting www.ipa-iba.com, www.iba-usa.net, www.internationaltaxadvisors.com, www.accountancyassoc.com/ and www.aiservices.com. The Public Relations Department may be contacted at: telephone (847) 495-6786; facsimile (847) 495-6773.”*

The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) is pleased to announce the addition of four new universities to its University Partnership Program. Boston College — Carroll School of Management, Cleveland State University — Nance College of Business Administration, University of Miami — School of Business Administration and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — College of Business have been added to the list of top universities that comprise the 27-member partnership.
NSHMBA created the University Partnership Program in 2006 to provide select academic institutions an expanded pool of qualified Hispanic applicants for graduate business programs. The program also creates a joint partnership opportunity in order to strengthen the pipeline of Hispanic students completing bachelors and masters degrees. The partnership program offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships. The concept for the program began several years ago when individual NSHMBA chapters around the nation collaborated with local universities to offer financial assistance to deserving candidates. NSHMBA encourages more universities to join its partnership program and help build the number of opportunities available for top Hispanic students seeking MBAs and to develop a close relationship with the NSHMBA local chapters. In 2007, NSHMBA awarded over $1 million in financial assistance to outstanding Hispanics pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent.
“For the past 18 years, the National Society of Hispanic MBAs has been instrumental in helping Hispanics continue their education and actively pursue Masters of Business Administration degrees. As universities join the NSHMBA University Partnership Program, they benefit from recruiting top notch Hispanic MBA students for their business school,” said Lourdes M. Hassler, CEO, NSHMBA. “The universities that are part of the University Partnership Program will have a profound effect on the future landscape of business schools and corporations as we see more diverse MBA students graduate and move on to promising careers.”
The current University Partnership Program members are Arizona State University — W.P. Carey School of Business, Babson College — Babson MBA, Bentley — McCallum Graduate School of Business, Boston College — Carroll School of Management, Boston University — School of Management, Brandeis University — Brandeis International Business School, Case Western Reserve University — Weatherhead School of Management, Cleveland State University — Nance College of Business Administration, Drexel University — LeBow College of Business, Emory University — Goizueta School of Business, Florida International University — Chapman Graduate School of Business, HULT International School of Business, Northeastern University — Graduate School of Business Administration, Rice University — Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management, Stetson University — School of Business Administration, Texas Christian University — Neeley School of Business, University of Akron — College of Business Administration, University of Central Florida — College of Business Administration, University of Cincinnati — College of Business, University of Florida — Warrington School of Business, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign — College of Business, University of Miami — School of Business Administration, University of Minnesota — Carlson School of Management, University of Notre Dame — Mendoza College of Business, University of Tampa — John H. Sykes College of Business, University of Texas at Dallas — School of Management and the Willamette University — Atkinson Graduate School of Management.
About NSHMBA
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Widely known as the “Premier Hispanic Organization,” NSHMBA serves 32 chapters and 7,000 members in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development. NSHMBA works to prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the U.S. so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce.”

On April 24, 2008, the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors voted to oppose Proposition 98 and remain neutral on Proposition 99 at a special Board of Directors meeting. The SFHCC cited concerns about Proposition 98’s overbroadness, vagueness and potential impact on the environment.

On the June 3, 2008 ballot, Proposition 98 bars state and local governments from condemning or damaging private property for private uses and prohibits rent control. Proposition 99 bars state and local governments from using eminent domain to acquire an owner-occupied residence, as defined for conveyance to a private person or business entity.

The SFHCC opposed Proposition 98 because it threatens to end useful land use and zoning provisions needed to protect neighborhoods. The insufficiently defined terms also prohibit the government from purchasing and preserving wetlands to develop water projects. Proposition 98 can potentially jeopardize water infrastructure projects, destroy land use planning, encourage NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) lawsuits and eliminate rent control for good.

The SFHCC joins a broad and diverse coalition including the California Chamber of Commerce, The California Black Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Retired People, League of Women Voters of California, National Wildlife Federation, California Police Chiefs Association, California Fire Chiefs Association and countless others.

Founded in 1984, The SFHCC’s goal is to represent the needs of Hispanic businesses and the Hispanic community in San Francisco. The SFHCC serves to promote the economic development of 500 members through partnerships with professional organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.

About San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SFHCC)

The SFHCC is a non-profit organization created in 1984 to represent the needs of Hispanic businesses and the Hispanic community in San Francisco. The SFHCC serves as a leader and catalyst to promote economic development through the collaboration of professional organizations in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area while leveraging the strength of nation- and state-wide Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. With more than 500 members and an active email database exceeding 3,000, we are one of the largest Hispanic business organizations in the city.

For more information visit: www.sfhcc.com“*

A new Hispanic Event Planning Online Directory was launched this week to serve meeting and event planners with a major focus on small businesses and the Hispanic market. LatinoSpeakersBureau.com unites unseen and overlooked vendors that are valuable to Meeting & Event Planners who need diversity resources and search online while preparing corporate workshops, conventions, sales meetings, trade shows or galas and fundraisers.

Latino Speakers Bureau founder, Leonor McCall-Rodriguez, built the website directory based on the needs of event and meeting professionals with listings of keynote speakers, meeting locations and a wider variety of resources in a one-stop-shop online tool geared to showcase not only Hispanic motivational and business speakers, but a broader offering of women and minority-owned small businesses.

“After 6 years of work with the Speakers Bureau, we met many business owners who were not connecting with event planners and meeting professionals, so we did the same thing we did with the Bureau: we created our own online solution”, said McCall-Rodriguez, whose career spans the U.S. and Latin America with marketing and business development projects, including several Fortune 100 companies.

In this industry, she tackled the challenge of Hispanic speaking professionals to increase visibility, because they tend to operate as sole proprietorships or small businesses and compete against large scale general market bureaus. Visibility is critical in a market where speakers must highlight their programs, resumes and seminars in different languages before potential corporate, government, conference and non-profit event planners. Today, the Latino Speakers Bureau group boasts multiple sites and includes successful Latinos who travel the world with their best sellers and keynotes. Among them are Joachim de Posada, Dr. Jo Ann Pina, Jimmy Cabrera, Victor Antonio Gonzalez, Simon Silva, Maria Marin and Manny Medrano.

With the new LatinoSpeakersBureau.com, other small businesses and professionals such as photographers, lawyers, chefs, producers, emcees, comedians amd musicians will be part of the online directory. The new portal includes an event calendar, articles, and a Classifieds section, sure to grow as minority businesses build their ads for the event and meeting industry. It is also expected to attract corporate advertisers who offer travel, production services and event locations.

The category that stands out as a cultural twist on this site is Weddings & Quinceañeras, that will showcase professionals, locations and services related to these life events, including culturally relevant seminars from Hispanic professionals for them. “We see wedding planners as well as event planners across the U.S. finding a home online at LatinoSpeakersBureau.com“, the founder explained.

The site will also showcase many non-profits that reach out to the Latino Speakers Bureau, including those that provide Spanish assisted services for the community across the U.S..

“This is just one more tool for integrating Hispanic businesses with the mainstream market. And when you see a market need, you can wait for the market to solve it, or jump in and blaze your own solution. We’ve found that the latter is much faster and more fun,” concluded McCall-Rodriguez.

Latino Speakers Bureau is a division of Mira Promo Inc., California Corporation serving the Hispanic market since 2002, with Hispanic market and multicultural business development solutions. Latino Speakers Bureau is a trademark of Mira Promo Inc.

“*

For Immediate Release

Contact: Euralis Lopez

347 632 4542

lopeze@a-lista.org

Over 30 Corporate Executives to attend the LISTA 2^nd Annual Humanitarian Mission and Hispanic Workforce Summit in Dominican Republic on May 28^th – June 1^st 2008

May 27, 2008, New York, NY— LISTA will conduct it’s second Humanitarian Mission and Hispanic Workforce Summit to the Dominican Republic on May 28^th in the city of Cabarete, Dominican Republic.  This year LISTA and The Dream Project inaugurate the third technology center and for the second consecutive year will conduct a series of Teacher Training workshops on lesson planning, English as a second language, and the use of technology to enhance the teaching experience for the students of the Dream Schools.  LISTA has secured the support of an impressive delegation including, Dominicans on Wall Street, Dominican American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia, HITN Television, Society of Hispanic Engineers and the Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce.

“LISTA and its partners continue to help bridge the digital divide and help develop new technology businesses in the Cabarete Area. Through these events we bring empowerment and knowledge transfer and with the help of big business we will develop this region into a thriving business community in the upcoming years,” says Jose Marquez, LISTA CEO. “This is a mission of hope and love, it is up to us to all to change the perception of technology in our community, the time is NOW!”

LISTA will also hold the second Annual Hispanic Workforce Summit to help develop the Dominican workforce community in Cabarete. “As the Dominican population continues to grow in the United States, it is clear that a significant part of the future workforce will be from the Dominican Republic,” commented Jon Wunderlich, Director of Operations at Project Dream, “this summit will help bring economic stability and sustainability of Cabarete business entrepreneurs, it is imperative to further develop the skills of Dominican students in order for them to change their future through technology.

“LISTA through these workshops and summit will make an economic impact and give the students the tech and business skills needed to embrace the opportunities which will be on the horizon when they graduate” said Jose Luis Rodriguez, LISTA Chair.

LISTA’s mission to educate motivate and empower continues to bring hope and the promise of highly skilled workers, young professionals and small business owners for the future of the region.”

“This is still a small program which has been supported strictly by our members. We can all do more to help develop one of the poorest areas in this country and turn it into a thriving business community,” said LISTA NYTC President Robert Abreu. “We truly believe that with more community involvement this mission will yield even more results.”

Corporate leaders, Hispanic non-profit executives from across the country are expected to come together at the Hispanic Workforce Summit to discuss technology usage in the class room, best practices, and explore strategies to develop skilled technology workers, professionals and better access to technology for small businesses.  This summit continues to attract significant interest from local and national organizations across the country. There is a sense of anticipation of what viable solutions, recommendations or best practices will come out of this summit

LISTA’s Humanitarian Mission and Workforce Summit Speakers Include:

Ambassador Patricia Sortier, Canadian Ambassador to the Dominican Republic

Felix Ortiz, New York State Assemblyman

Robert Abreu, VP Goldman Sachs

Kevin Manning, Immediate Past President American Chamber of Commerce

Carlos Gonzalez, CEO, Massachusetts Latino Chamber of Commerce

Jose Luis Rodriguez, LISTA Chair and President/CEO HITN

Dora Maria Abreu, SHPE Vice President

Jose Marquez, President and CEO, LISTA

Jon Wunderlich, Dominican Operation Director, Dream Project

Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) have donated computers to the area schools of Cabarete and Batey in the Dominican Republic through the Dream Project, as part of LISTA’s international outreach program for many years along with supplying educational instruction to further develop technology professionals in the area, conducting workshops for students and teachers in English as Second Language, math and sciences.

LISTA IS SPONSORED BY: AETNA, AT&T, COMCAST, CAPITALWIRE DELTA AIRLINES, MACY’s, MICROSOFT , NCTA, NIELSEN MEDIA, PHRMA, STAPLES, STATEFARM and VERIZON.

About Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA) LISTA Mission is to educate, motivate and encourage the use of technology in the Latino community and empowering them to bridge the digital divide. Founded in 2004 LISTA promotes the utilization of the technology sectors for the empowerment of the Latino community. We are an organization that is committed to bringing various elements of Technology under one central hub to facilitate our partners, members and the community with the leverage and education they need to succeed in a highly advanced technologically driven society. www.a-lista.org

About The Dominican Republic Education And Mentoring (DREAM) Project is a US 501c3 nonprofit organization that provides equitable access to quality education for children born into poverty in rural areas and small communities of the Dominican Republic by combining volunteerism, international awareness, and community involvement into a sustainable support system” www.domincandream.org

I was perusing Hispanic Tips’ Blogante News when an article from La Prensa San Diego jumped out at me. The headline read: “Bush Signs Legislation for National Museum of the American Latino.”

My first reaction was a sense of pride and a desire to show all kinds of support. After all, shouldn’t there be a National Museum of the American Latino? Then, I started to hear voices. Not the multiple personality kind of voices, but rather the voices of non-profit board and committee members from several other Latino museum projects that either have opened or have tried to open throughout the U.S. over the past decade or two. “*

and this great paragraph that perfectly summarizes a discussion I had yesterday:

“Back to the voices. At first, they are full of pride and enthusiasm. Soon, however, these board, committee and staff members are angry and frustrated. They divide up into factions; factions that are an unfortunate, but perhaps unavoidable part of the U.S. Latino experience. One voice drowns out the other. “It’s too Mexican.” “It’s not Mexican enough.” “Too chilango.” “Not Mexican-American enough.” “Too Cuban.” “Why no Brazilians? Just because we speak Portuguese?” “Is the Chicano movement represented?” “Don’t use the word Chicano.” “Too much Spanish.” “Too much English.” “Spanglish? You can’t be serious!” “Too brown.” “Too white.” “What about black Hispanics. And Asian?” “Too upscale.” “Too downscale.” “Too foreign born.” “Too U.S. born.” “Spain doesn’t count.” “Spain is the motherland.” “It can’t be called Hispanic.” “It can’t be called Latino.” And on and on and on. Y más y más y más.

Latino Leaders magazine has named Jackeline Cacho in their 2nd annual edition of The Top 25 Most Influential Latin Woman in America. International award winning journalist and former broadcaster for Univision, and Azteca America Jackeline Cacho is honored to represent Most Influential Latin Women in Media today.

“These women have taken the reigns of ensuring that Latinos are addressed with respect and intelligence,” says the Latino Leaders magazine.

“I am so honored to be recognized for my efforts to serve the Latin community by such an influential magazine,” said Ms. Cacho “It’s great to know that our community is growing in the right direction and I am so grateful and inspired to be in such great company,” Ms. Cacho continued.

Jackeline Cacho has been in the limelight for over 15 years as a award-winning international journalist and broadcaster. As an activist for the Latino community and a long-time entrepreneur with her own production company, she has represented her native country in several international beauty pageants before making her way to America.

Her dream of having her own National TV show is now becoming a reality as well this year with the announcement of her international talk show entitled “En Familia con Jackeline Cacho” which is scheduled to begin broadcasting this fall. “We are getting such great support from the Latin community and some of the best companies in the world, so I know we are on the right track,” expressed Ms. Cacho, who described her show as the next evolution in Spanish Television.

When Jackeline was asked about why she chose to do the show “En Familia con Jackeline Cacho” in Los Angeles, she replied “This is such a great opportunity to show the real face of Latinos in America today. And I believe that the only way to do it right is to base the show in Los Angeles with the largest and most diverse Latino population in America representing Latin countries from all over the world.”

As a winner of many recent industry and community service awards including Woman of the Year in 2007 by the National Hispanic Professional Women’s Association, she also lends her help to many great Non-Profit causes around the country such as The City of Hope, The Peace Alliance, Jovenes, Inc., and many others.

She intends to bring the real issues affecting the Latin world to the forefront on her new television show by featuring special guests, in-depth stories and features, and practical solutions for millions of today’s Latinos with her new show “En Familia con Jackeline Cacho”.

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Ca., Jackeline is co-founder of JC Enterprises, Inc. and Finding Productions which are privately held companies focused on bringing the best television, events, entertainment, and publications to the Latin community. For business inquiries or customized sponsorship packages please contact business manager Gary Christmas at 714.915.1183 or just visit Jackeline Cacho’s website. (http://jackelinecacho.com)”*

HITN, the first national Spanish-language public television network in the United States, announced from the National Cable Television Show from New Orleans the selection of its new show, Destination Casa Blanca 2008 to the Cable Industry’s national VOD (video on demand) Initiative. Spearheaded by Time Warner Cable and Cox, this groundbreaking project will provide viewers a dedicated VOD channel focused on the upcoming US Presidential election. The agreement will make Destination Casa Blanca 2008 the only Latino-themed program available through VOD, reaching over 90% of the country.

For viewers interested in the Latino perspective as it relates to the election, Destination Casa Blanca 2008 (DCB’08) is a news magazine show exclusively dedicated to examining issues as they affect the Hispanic community. Launched in April 2008, DCB’08 is hosted by award-winning broadcast journalists Ray Suarez and Marlene Fernández and currently airs in 30 million households. Under this new agreement, HITN’s Destination Casa Blanca 2008 will double the number of viewers to 60 million households. “We are extremely proud that HITN has been chosen for this VOD Initiative, it speaks to the importance of the Latino vote that a show concerning Hispanic issues and concerns will be at the forefront during this important election,” stated HITN’s President, José Luis Rodríguez.

With a population of over 46 million, Hispanics are the fastest growing segment in the US and comprises 15% of the total population. Increased voter participation has made the demand for programs such as Destination Casa Blanca 2008 and related HITN programming clear. Cable companies such as Charter, Comcast, Cablevision, Time Warner and Cox are all participating in this first ever industry-wide initiative.

The VOD initiative will go live on June 1st and will feature two main sections: one devoted to the presidential candidates and one for programmers who will examine the issues surrounding the election process. Representatives for Time Warner Cable and Cox indicate that content will be distributed on a monthly basis.

“HITN and the Latino community applaud the cable industry for its inclusiveness and foresight in making sure that diverse perspectives are represented in the media,” concluded Mr. Rodríguez.

About HITN
The Hispanic Information and Telecommunications Network, Inc. (HITN) was established in 1983 as a non-profit organization. HITN’s mission is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanics by providing engaging educational entertainment that invites individuals and families to live fuller, richer lives and enables them to serve as an ever-growing engine of intellectual power and progress. HITN-TV was created in 1987, becoming America’s first Public Television Network for Latinos. Today, HITN-TV can be found on cable, satellite, video on demand and online reaching over 31 million households. HITN provides a unique source of educational, cultural, news and public affairs programs to the homes of Hispanics in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information log onto www.hitn.org

HITN: CELEBRATING 25 YEARS AS AMERICA’S FIRST PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORK FOR LATINOS”*

The Hispanic Hotel Owners Association (HHOA), a rapidly growing non-profit organization that seeks to increase Latino ownership of hotels, today announced that it will hold part one of a three-session series of International Hotel Investment Seminars May 28-29 at the Wyndham Phoenix in Arizona. The HHOA-developed seminars were created to inform high-net worth Hispanic investors about available hotel ownership opportunities.

“This first part of our on-going series continues to draw attendance in numbers that surpass our expectations,” said Angela Gonzalez-Rowe, founder and president of the Hispanic Hotel Owners Association. “While the Hispanic community often provides the backbone for a hotel’s behind-the-scenes operations, there has been a dearth of ownership opportunities. As more and more Latinos move into higher income brackets, that is rapidly changing. Our goal is to provide this financially capable group with information about the benefits of hotel ownership and investment.”"*

Hispanic and bilingual professionals in Metro Atlanta will want to update their resumes and mark their calendars for June 10, 2008 because they won’t want to miss the National Society for Hispanic Professionals’ diversity career fair being held at the Cobb Galleria Centre.

The NSHP career fair has been specifically designed for bilingual, Hispanic and other diverse candidates, providing a unique opportunity for jobseekers to meet area employers interested in their language and cultural skills. Recruiting companies in attendance will be able to screen hundreds of qualified multilingual and multicultural candidates in a single location.

Produced by diversity job board LatPro.com, the June 10th job fair marks a return to the city where NSHP held its very first career event. Since that initial job fair in Atlanta in 2006, NSHP has hosted a dozen events in cities across the country, bringing together an ever-increasing number of diversity-conscious employers with multicultural professional job candidates.

“Our 2006 event in Atlanta exceeded our expectations, setting the stage for 12 other successful career fairs across the country,” said Ricardo Villalba, Events Manager for NSHP. “We are looking forward to returning to Atlanta to host our strongest event yet.”

Confirmed employers attending the Atlanta Diversity Job Fair include: Bank of America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Boy Scouts of America, Belk, Aflac, Praxair, Macy’s, and many more.

Upcoming NSHP Diversity Career Fairs

• June 10, 2008 - Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta, GA

• August 21, 2008 - Trinity Center at Trinity College, Washington, D.C.

• September 4, 2008 - Metropolitan Pavilion, New York, NY

• October 23, 2008 - Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, TX

• November 6, 2008 - San Jose Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, CA

Admission is free for all job seekers. Professional dress required.

For more details visit www.nshp.org or call (954) 727-3863 for exhibitor and sponsorship information.

About The National Society for Hispanic Professionals

The National Society for Hispanic Professionals (NSHP), a non-profit organization with more than 20,000 registered members, works to empower Hispanic professionals with connections, networking and leadership opportunities, as well as information on education, scholarships, careers and entrepreneurship. NSHP seeks to ensure the inclusion of Hispanics in corporate America at a level commensurate with the representation of Hispanic Americans within our communities.

NSHP Contact:

Sandra Roffo

sroffo @ nshp.org

www.nshp.org“*

Fundacion Azteca America, the non-profit arm of Spanish-language television network Azteca America, announced today the launch of a nationwide health awareness campaign in collaboration with the Ad Council. The campaign includes informational brochures on prevention and treatment for the most prevalent diseases among Hispanics, using information provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and asthma are on the rise, as well as being some of the leading causes of death in the Latino community. The goal is to inform about the causes of these diseases and their treatment, with the aim of early detection and prevention. The brochures will be distributed through Azteca America’s local affiliate stations as well as through other prominent Hispanic non-profit organizations.”*

The Austin Chapter of NHPO is hosting a Health Screening Event and Networking Mixer taking place on May 15, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Nuevo Leon at 1501 E 6th St.

This event is open to NHPO members and anyone who is considering joining NHPO with admission of $5. Staff from the American Heart Association (AHA) will provide blood pressure screenings, and will also be available for a question and answer session. Door prizes will also be given.

Cary Duval, Chair of The Austin Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOTF) and guest speaker for the evening, will speak about how the HOTF is an integral part to increase knowledge and encourage behavior changes through continual efforts via community channels and trusted sources. The HOTF is a volunteer group responsible for supporting local divisions of the American Heart Association in its efforts to reach the Hispanic communities with life saving cardiovascular and stroke risk recognition, risk reduction and risk avoidance programs in the areas of public education, communication, public policy, fundraising, and patient and professional education.

Major Responsibilities of task force members include:

• Provide leadership and guidance for community outreach strategy
• Assist with the implementation and management of the faith/community-based education program Conozca Su Corazón
• Identify and define effective channels for dissemination of priority programs such as Go Red for Women, START and Alliance for a Healthy Generation
• Assist with the planning and implementation of special community outreach events such as Vestido Rojo, Go Red Sunday and Festival Hispano de la Salud
• Assist with health disparity policy development and advocacy.

“This event gives NHPO an opportunity to partner with AHA and join efforts in educating our Hispanic professionals and community about the importance of taking care of our hearts and how to live a healthy, stress-free life. Inviting the AHA to our event will allow our members a chance to ask questions they may not otherwise ask and hopefully apply what they learn to their day to day lives,” said Debra Figueroa, Austin Chair.

About NHPO (National Hispanic Professional Organization)
NHPO is a networking, non-profit, membership-based organization that provides its members opportunities for self-improvement, professional advancement and personal achievement.

NHPO is one of the fastest growing Hispanic professional organizations in the country, with chapters in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Washington, DC, Chicago, New York, Las Vegas and various other cities.
“*

LandAmerica Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: LFG) announces that Dan A. Robledo, Vice President - Arizona Operations Manager, has been inducted to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP).

NAHREP is a non-profit trade association headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 15,000 members in more than 60 affiliate chapters in 48 states. Its mission is to increase the sustainable Hispanic homeownership rate by empowering real estate professionals serving the community. The association accomplishes this by providing educational tools and a networking forum, and through the power of advocacy. NAHREP members include real estate agents, brokers, loan officers, mortgage brokers, title officers, escrow officers, appraisers, insurance agents and other professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“We are very pleased to welcome Dan Robledo to our Board of Directors,” said Timothy Sandos, President and Chief Executive Officer of NAHREP. “Dan is a tremendously talented leader, as ev