Septempber 25, 2023 -- In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board are honoring six exemplary Houstonians in the Houston Hispanic community.

The individuals were nominated by members of the community and selected by the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee for their outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Houston Hispanic community.

This year, Hispanic Heritage Month is being observed from Friday, September 15 to Sunday, October 15. Starting at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Turner will recognize each of the honorees with proclamations during three weekly Houston city council public sessions beginning Tuesday, September 26.

This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Arts in the Community: Geraldina Interiano Wise
Geraldina Interiano Wise is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Arts in the Community Award. A long time Houstonian, Geraldina considers herself an accidental immigrant having been separated from her family in her native El Salvador while a Freshman at Rice University due to the Civil War. A triple major in Architecture/Art/Art History and two degrees later, she has worked on large scale projects with some of the best architects and designers in the nation. After 25 years of operating her own environmental forward design firm, Geraldina sought freedom of expression by returning to her art. She began her art education at the age of 10 on the ravines of the San Salvador Volcano, under the tutelage of Violeta Bonilla, a protégé of the muralist Diego Rivera. She is an environmental artist, using her art to create empathy and understanding of the planet. Geraldina has developed strong ties to Houston’s major universities, with ongoing engagement. She enrolled as a student at Glassell School of the MFAH and printmaking at Rice University, building a community of practice, which included being a founding member of Latin American Women Artists of Houston (LAWAH). An internationally exhibiting artist, Geraldina premiered her Modular Woman for the Environment concept in Paris in 2022 and, since then, represented El Salvador at the UNESCO Latin American week at the UNESCO headquarter in Paris. She was invited to exhibit in Lisbon in 2024 and is planning on taking her Modular Woman concept to COP 29. Geraldina is a cultural ambassador of Houston and is proud to represent the pan-latinidad of our city. Not only does she serve on many non-profit boards in Houston, but she is also founding board member of ALMAAHH (Advocates for a Latino Museum of Cultural & Visual Arts Houston). A Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, her leadership is fully at work in ALMAAHH, where she aims to gain the trust of Latinos in the region, to create a movement to build a national home for the US Latino culture. Geraldina has inspired and nurtured generations of Latino artists and served as an important role model and leader for the entire Latino community.

Education in the Community: Dr. Cruz Casiano
Dr. Cruz Casiano is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. Dr. Casiano is the Director of the Career and Applied Technology Division at Lone Star College. She oversees all facets from student success support, dual credit, scholarships, grand funding, employer and school district partnerships, and workforce recruitment and enrollment events. Prior to this role, she served as an Executive Director for the Marvy Finger Family Foundation. Her responsibilities there were wide ranging, and it entailed managing a multimillion-dollar scholarship program that provided tuition, textbooks, uniforms, and equipment to under-represented students in need, who were pursuing credit workforce programs at three large community colleges in Houston. A few of Dr. Casiano’s notable accomplishments include starting the first Houston ISD-HCC Teacher Education Dual Credit Program in 2012, establishing monthly food security for college students in partnership with the Houston Food Bank in 2019, and securing a million-dollar endowment with Houston Methodist for students to attend health-science paid internship programs in 2021. She is actively involved in her community by volunteering for several nonprofits. She is a social host and mentor through Kids Lives Matter International, a nonprofit that provides resources for underserved students in Houston and internationally. She also serves on their Advisory Board. Dr. Casiano is dedicated to her student scholars and to enhancing learning opportunities for Houston students.

Community Activist: Rachel Cevallos de Gonzales
Rachel Cevallos de Gonzales is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. Rachel is a leading production and efficiency expert for the decorated apparel and promotional products industry. She is the owner of Identity Plus LLC. Rachel is a proud Houstonian who is passionately involved in her community partnerships. Rachel is only the second woman to ever be elected and serve as president of the Historic LULAC Council 60 in its 90-year history. Since joining Council 60 in 2019, she has been instrumental in growing the membership by 50 new members. Rachel has reshaped the vision and mission of Council 60 and, in the process, has developed an organization determined to make a positive impact in the Hispanic community. Her leadership has positioned the organization to have a larger role in awarding scholarships to college bound high school seniors and enrolled college students. Additionally, she has partnered with Arte Publico Press at the University of Houston to fund research interns to work in cultural and historical preservation and promote online digital archiving. Rachel has also secured direct corporate scholarships with Valero and Calpine Corporations. Rachel volunteers in the community by serving on the Houston Public Library Foundation Board. She is a contributing member of the committee to restore the Historic LULAC Council 60 Clubhouse. She was also a member of the team that built the Leaping Leopard Market at Yolanda Navarro Black Middle School to serve financially challenged students. Rachel is also focused on helping people get access to needed community resources. Rachel produced the successful 2022 Latina Entrepreneur Program at the University of Houston-Downtown. Her effort has enabled many of the program participants to start and successfully operate profitable businesses.

Healthcare: Dr. Marlen Trujillo
Dr. Marlen Trujillo is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Healthcare Award. Dr. Trujillo is the Chief Executive Officer of the Spring Branch Community Health Center (SBCHC), a non-profit community health center that provides low-cost healthcare, social, and educational services. Dr. Trujillo was one of the community leaders on the founding Board of the community-based health center in 2002. In May 2004, the community health center was opened in the Spring Branch area to target the Medically Underserved Population and help reduce healthcare disparities by increasing access to affordable, quality health care. The community health center was deemed a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2005. In recent years, the organization has experienced a population explosion, which has increased the need for additional healthcare services in the West Houston area. Currently, the organization has eight locations and two mobile health clinics serving more than 25,000 individuals in need. In 2020, she founded the Spring Branch Leadership Institute to serve high school students interested in careers in healthcare, especially those wanting to become physicians. Dr. Trujillo was born in Houston, Texas and raised in the Spring Branch Community. Her parents are from Colombia and Mexico. She has been the Chief Executive Officer of SBCHC for 15 years. She truly understands the healthcare needs of her community and is an advocate for reducing health disparities across all populations, especially women. Prior to being the CEO of SBCHC, she held the position of Chief Financial Officer for the community health center and previously held positions at the National Hispanic Institute, YMCA of Greater Houston, and the City of Houston. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Marketing from the University of Houston and also holds a master’s in business administration in International Business from Our Lady of the Lake University. She recently obtained her PhD in public health from the University of Texas Health Science Center – School of Public Health. She is passionate about healthcare and education.

Youth Activist: Marcos Delgadillo Lope
Marcos Delgadillo Lope is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. Marcos is a Political Science student at the University of Houston. Marcos’ concern for his mother and blue-collar workers inspired him to volunteer with the Fe y Justicia Worker Center and Workers Defense Project. There he contributed to workshops to inform construction laborers about the many hazards of their profession and how to protect themselves. He also partook in initiatives aimed at making domestic workers aware of their rights and teaching them how to recognize if their employers are exploiting them. In high school, Marcos interned at Baker Ripley. Because Marcos wanted to assist the immigrant, Hispanic community, he also participated in the monthly citizenship forums. His interest in law led him to intern with an immigration firm where he assisted with asylum and residency cases. In 2023, Marcos interned with the City of Houston Boards and Commissions Office. His involvement within the Latino community is a testament to his dedication in uplifting those around him.

Lifetime Achievement: Mary Ramos
Mary Ramos is the recipient of the 2023 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Mary Ramos is a third-generation Houstonian. From her humble beginnings, she learned and nurtured what would be her lifetime passion: giving back and empowering her community. After encountering LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) in 1980, that passion was ignited by providing Mary with a springboard for all future involvement. Mary has spent her adult life as a staunch supporter of justice and an advocate for human rights, immigration, education, equal rights, and equal pay. In her journey to help give the Hispanic community equal opportunities, she helped forge a relationship with the NAACP that led to the development of a statewide resolution that allows Texas NAACP and Texas LULAC to work together on issues that affect both communities. Her leadership and advocacy garnered her the NAACP Houston Branch’s 2012 Presidential Award. Mary has been a dedicated voice for her community. While a member of the 2004 Super Bowl committee, and with LULAC as the backdrop, Mary helped advocate on behalf of Hispanic-owned business contractors. After a hate crime against David Ritcheson, a 16-year-old Latino student, occurred in 2006, Mary led a LULAC delegation to help escort David to Washington, D.C. to testify about passing more stringent hate crime laws. When cancer struck Mary, it might have been a reason to curtail her work, but it did not. She remained steadfast in the good fight and continues to this day. Whether it is her work to raise funds for LULAC scholarships, which have now surpassed $1 million, distribute more than 500 backpacks to schools for back-to-school, or continue Yolanda Black Navarro’s work with Shoes for Kids, Mary is not slowing down. She remains a force and a wholehearted warrior on behalf of the Latino community.

September 27, 2022 -- In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board are honoring eight exemplary Houstonians in the Houston Hispanic community.

Community members nominated individuals for consideration, and the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee selected the honorees for their outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Houston Hispanic community.

Hispanic Heritage Month is being observed this year from Thursday, September 15, to Saturday, October 15. Starting September 27, Mayor Turner will recognize each honoree with proclamations during three weekly Houston city council public meetings and present the awards on October 19, 2022 at the Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony.

This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Arts in the Community: Jose Longoria

Jose Longoria is the recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Arts in the Community Award. A native Houstonian, Jose is a third-generation mariachi who has performed since the age of seven. He began his career as a mathematics teacher at Patrick Henry Middle School. There, Jose developed a widely successful mariachi program. He expanded to work with Sam Houston High School, growing enrollment to over 240 students. Jose is the proud director of the University of Houston’s Mariachi Pumas, and his work is widely celebrated. He also continues to direct the band he inherited from his father, Mariachi Imperial. Jose is committed to bringing mariachi music across Texas and seeks to empower his students through the power of mariachi and the joy of music.

Education in the Community: Dr. Adriana Tamez

Dr. Adriana Tamez is the recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. Dr. Tamez began her career as a bilingual education teacher at Mario Gallegos Elementary School in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). She then served as the Associate Director of Development for the University of Houston’s College of Education. In 2005, she was selected as the HISD Central Region Superintendent and joined the Region 4 Education Service Center in 2010. Dr. Tamez is one of the founding members of the Tejano Center for Community Concerns (TCCC) and its open-enrollment charter school district, the Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS). Dr. Tamez served as the first Director of Education at the Raul Yzaguirre Middle Charter School for Success. She worked to further development within Houston’s southeast community. In 2017, Dr. Tamez was selected by the Board of Directors of the TCCC to serve as Interim President/CEO and later assumed the role permanently. She also serves as the Superintendent for RYSS. Dr. Tamez was unanimously elected to serve on the Harris County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 2019. Dr. Tamez decided to run for office and serve in higher education. In 2013, voters elected her to serve on the Houston Community College Board of Trustees, District III, where she has held numerous positions. Dr. Tamez remains committed to ensuring success for all students by creating safe environments where high-quality teaching and learning can flourish and students learn to become responsible citizens.

Community Activist: Sandra Rodríguez

Sandra Rodríguez is the recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. Sandra is a native Houstonian, daughter of immigrant parents, and the Advocacy Director at Latinos for Education, where she leads the organization’s efforts to elevate Latino voices in decision-making to increase educational outcomes. Sandra obtained her bachelor’s degree from Springfield College School of Human Services. She previously served in the Houston Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office and Houston Health Department, overseeing program planning. She also serves as the President of the Gulfton Super Neighborhood Council, a civic organization focused on identifying, prioritizing, and addressing the needs and concerns of the broader community. Sandra’s experience connecting community members to critical resources drives her work outside the office. She currently serves as the Co-Chair for the City of Houston Food Insecurity Board Public Policy Committee, Co-Chair of the Houston Independent School District Capital Planning Steering Committee, is a Fellow of the American Leadership Forum Class XLVIII, and a member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and a proud mother of two young men.

Healthcare: Dr. Flor Muñoz

Dr. Flor Muñoz is a recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Healthcare Award. Dr. Muñoz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Section of Infectious Diseases, at Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine and a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital. During her tenure, she has significantly contributed to the health of Latino populations in the Houston area. Dr. Munoz has led the COVID-19 vaccination  trials for children in the Houston area and made significant strides in encouraging Black and Latino communities to participate. Through several interviews, she taught the Latino community about COVID-19 mitigating tactics and vaccine safety data. Dr. Munoz has presented many of her works on media outlets like CNN Español, Telemundo, and Univision. She has served on the advisory council and given presentations surrounding COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women and children for the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). For her contributions, she was awarded the Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America Award in 2020. In addition to her groundbreaking medical studies, she has given time to mentor countless Latino students and faculty.

Healthcare: Dr. Maria Bottazzi

Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi is a recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Healthcare Award. Dr. Bottazzi is the Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and Co-Director of the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. While in Houston, she has participated in several in-person and virtual community events to teach Latinos about COVID-19 vaccine safety in English and Spanish. She serves as a board member and leader for several local and national task forces on developing and distributing the COVID-19 vaccine. Her main focus area is vaccine development. She has worked alongside Dr. Peter Hotez to develop a low-cost, highly effective COVID-19 vaccine. This year, she has received over 15 awards for her service in the treatment, prevention, and reduction of COVID-19. Dr. Bottazzi was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for her role in developing an RBD-based COVID-19 vaccine for children in the Global South.

Youth Activist: Aylin Rodriguez

Aylin Rodriquez is the recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. Aylin is a first-generation Houstonian who is also a first-generation college graduate. She graduated from the University of Houston, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and later went on to get a Master of Public Policy. During her time at the University of Houston, Aylin realized that the youth in her community were not politically engaged. She took it upon herself to start Young Latinas for Lina P.A.C., to register Latinas/Latinos to vote and be more involved in their community. Amongst several other duties throughout her collegiate career, she has served as a Senior Advisor to the Vice President in Student Government and Director for the Houston Area Model United Nation.

Lifetime Achievement: Adan Medrano

Adan Medrano is a recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Adan received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Journalism at Creighton University, a master’s in Radio, TV, and Film at The University of Texas, and a certificate in Culinary Arts at Culinary Institute of America. Adan is a food author, chef, and filmmaker whose artistic work in Houston continues to enrich the Hispanic community and the entire city. Adan later authored two award-winning cookbooks and curated innovative Texas Mexican food exhibitions in the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, MECA, and other venues. Adan also filmed a documentary named “Truly Texas Mexican” that was shot in the City of Houston and won “Best Documentary” at the New York Cinema Awards. His award-winning book “Truly Texas Mexican: A Native Culinary Heritage In Recipes” focuses on the aesthetic aspects of cooking that universally impact identity and community.

Lifetime Achievement: Christian Navarro (Posthumous)

Christian Navarro is a recipient of the 2022 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Christian attended the University of Texas School of Law, the University of New Mexico, and Houston’s St. Thomas High School. Christian was a lawyer, restaurant owner, and community philanthropist. While maintaining his law practice, Christian C. Navarro Law Office, Christian promoted the legacy of his late mother, Yolanda Black Navarro. Christian assisted individuals and their interests with a wide range of issues. Christian served on the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans board, the Gus Wortham Park & Gold Course Steering Committee, and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council. He was the president of the Navigation Area Business Association and its “Shoes for Kids” charity.  Christian served on the board of the Willow Pool and volunteered as the lead grill-master for the Willow Wahoo swim team. Christian’s restaurant, Villa Arcos, was twice listed as a top 100 Houston restaurant by Houston’s two-time James Beard Award winner, Alison Cook.

October 5, 2021 -- In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board are honoring five exemplary Houstonians in the Houston Hispanic community.

The individuals were nominated by community members and selected by the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee for their outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Houston Hispanic community.

“Every year, the City of Houston celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by paying tribute to five exceptional Houstonians who are committed to uplifting and strengthening the Houston Hispanic community,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “These individuals' unwavering commitment to the community truly captures the selfless spirit that all Houstonians should seek to emulate. Congratulations to the 2021 Hispanic Heritage Award winners!”

This year, Hispanic Heritage Month is being observed from Wednesday, September 15 to Friday, October 15. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor’s annual Hispanic Heritage Awards Reception will once again be a virtual celebration this year. The Houston Municipal Channel (HTV) will broadcast the virtual Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14. The event will also be available on the City of Houston’s social media platforms.

HTV is available on the following cable systems in the Houston area:

Comcast (Ch. 16)
Phonoscope (Ch. 73 &  99)
Suddenlink (Ch. 14)
AT&T U-verse (Ch. 99)
You can also watch the event on HTV's website at houstontx.gov/htv.

Ana Maria Martinez Dr. Cecilia Balli Dr. Sergio Lira Luis Angel Garcia-Alvarez David Dzul

Arts in the Community: Ana Maria Martinez
Ana María Martínez is the recipient of the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Arts in the Community Award. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, she is a Grammy Award-winning soprano with 24 albums and an international career that spans the world’s most prestigious opera houses and concert halls. Ana María received her bachelor’s and a master’s from the Julliard School and has performed at The White House and HSBC Arena in Rio De Janeiro for the World Cup Celebration.  She made her debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and participated in the inaugural performance at the Dubai Opera House.  Ana María became the first ever Artistic Advisor for the Houston Grand Opera and was recently designated Artist in Residence at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music where she will offer guidance to students and young singers through master classes, individualized coaching and career counseling and assist students with their role preparations in the opera department. 

Education in the Community: Dr. Cecilia Balli
Dr. Cecilia Ballí is the recipient of the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. She is a native of Brownsville, Texas and the daughter of former migrant farmworkers who have deep roots on the Texas-Mexico border. Dr. Ballí attended Stanford University for her undergraduate studies and completed her doctoral studies in the cultural anthropology program at Rice University. In 2000, Dr. Cecilia Ballí became the first Hispanic writer-at-large for Texas Monthly Magazine. In 2008, she became an assistant professor for the anthropology department at the University of Texas at Austin and traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border to conduct extensive ethnographic research on the Secure Fence. While on the border, Dr. Ballí researched the sexual killings of women in Ciudad Juarez and embedded herself in Nuevo Laredo to report on the Sinaloa and Gulf drug cartels’ warring.  In 2018, she founded the communications strategy firm Culture Concepts LLC, where she works to provide ethnographic research, storytelling and strategic analysis on projects related to U.S. Latinos and the U.S.-Mexican border.

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Sergio Lira
Dr. Sergio Lira is the recipient of the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. He received a master’s in liberal arts from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s in education management from the University of Houston Clear Lake and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Houston. While in college, Dr. Lira was the founder and first president of the Mexican American Student Organization of St. Thomas, now known as the Hispanic Student Organization.  As a former Houston ISD school board trustee, he provided support for parents from over 30 schools and continues to present to over 150 new teachers at the University of Houston School of Education twice a year, at no cost. Dr. Lira and his wife, Maria Lira, have donated to several causes and have rendered aid to Houstonians following extreme weather events. They are also involved with the non-profit organization, Texas Organizing Project, to support causes of criminal justice reform, immigrant rights, housing, and improved wages. Dr. Lira has served on various committees and boards, including El Zocalo – The Alley Theatre and Bikes 4 Excellence, among others. As an active member of his parish, Queen of Peace Catholic Church, he is a founding member of the Catholic youth group, Encuentros de Promocion Juvenil (“Encounters Promoting Youths”) and Timonel Foundation, which aims to lessen the financial burden of Houston’s Spanish speaking Catholic young adults.

Community Activist: Luis Angel Garcia-Alvarez
Luis Angel Garcia-Alvarez is the recipient of the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. Born and raised in Mexico, Luis came to the United States 16 years ago and is now the president of the organization named System for Education Empowerment and Success (SEDES). Founded in 2008, SEDES has provided college and career readiness programs, awareness interventions for adolescents, educational and job skills training courses and more. In 2020, amid the health pandemic, SEDES continued to provide online educational programs, and delivered approximately 10,000 instructional hours and 4,244 volunteer hours.  Luis Angel has received numerous awards and recognition, including the 2018 Mayor’s Leadership Literacy Award. He also serves on the Harris County Health System board, the Gulfgate Health Center Advisory Board, the Harris County Juvenile Advisory Board, Super Neighborhood no. 51 and was a former Houston Independent School District Superintendent’s Public Engagement Committee member.

Youth Activist: David Dzul
David Dzul is the recipient of the 2021 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. David attends Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professionals where he serves as the co-president and co-founder of DeBakey Civics, an organization focused on providing its members with the tools and real-world experience to become leaders in their communities. During his fellowship as a Youth Organizer with Mi Familia Vota, David led the charge as head researcher for educational senate and house bills in Texas’ 87th Legislative Session. Amongst several other duties, he has aided in many other campaigns, including with Mi Familia Vota’s voter registration drives, Census outreach and more. David also currently participates in the Rice University Youth Civic Engagement Research and Advocacy Internship, Harvard International Socioeconomic Laboratory Fellowship, and is a member of the Mayor’s Youth Council, as well as other clubs at his high school.

September 25, 2020 -- In recognition of this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board are honoring five exemplary Houstonians.

The individuals were nominated by community members and selected by the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee for their outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Houston Hispanic community.

“Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to pay tribute to the diversity and vibrancy of Houston’s Hispanic community,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “I am proud to continue our City’s yearly tradition of honoring and celebrating five exceptional Houstonians who are committed to uplifting and strengthening the Houston Hispanic community.”

This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is being observed from Tuesday, September 15 to Thursday, October 15. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor’s annual Hispanic Heritage Awards Reception will be a virtual celebration this year. The Houston Municipal Channel (HTV) will broadcast the virtual Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13. The event will also be available on the City of Houston’s social media platforms.

HTV is available on the following cable systems in the Houston area:

• Comcast (Ch. 16)
• Phonoscope (Ch. 73 & 99)
• Suddenlink (Ch. 14)
• AT&T U-verse (Ch. 99)

You can also watch the event on HTV's website at houstontx.gov/htv.

Alfonso Maldonado Alejandro and Sylvia Roman Yonatan Mascorro Sandra Guerra Thompson Hugo Mojica

The following individuals were selected as the 2020 Hispanic Heritage Awards recipients.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Alfonso Maldonado III
Alfonso Maldonado III is the recipient of the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. His leadership is characterized by his stark activism in addressing issues concerning the civil rights of Houston’s Hispanic community. Alfonso has served the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) in council no.60 for over three decades and has held several leadership roles within the organization. He is currently serving his sixth term as the District Director for Texas District VIII where he has played an integral role in securing a historical trust for the LULAC council no.60. His efforts include advocating for a bilingual retirement community, assisting residents of a southwest Houston subdivision fight against racial discrimination, and ensuring the district attorney’s office tried and retried the defendant involved in the Jonny Hernandez case. As LULAC director, Alfonso currently serves on the Harris County Clerk’s Advisory Committee, HISD Community Advisory Committee, the City of Houston Ethics Commission, and the boards of Hispanics Organized for Political Education (HOPE) and the Latino Learning Center.

Arts in the Community Award: Alejandro “Alex” Roman Jr. and Sylvia Roman
Established muralist and street-artist Alejandro “Alex” Roman Jr., known as Donkeeboy, and his mother Sylvia Roman, known as Donkeemom, are the recipients of the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Arts in the Community Award.  The mother and son duo are longstanding prolific artists and community leaders whose artwork speaks to the rich cultural identity of Houston. A native of Houston, Donkeeboy has been making art for more than two decades. His creative inspiration comes from his mother, Donkeemom, who grew up painting in a small town in Mexico. As Southeast Houstonians, Donkeeboy and Donkeemom have recently spearheaded the creation of over 30 collective murals in Houston’s East End, including commemorative murals dedicated to George Floyd and Vanessa Guillén. Last fall, they hosted their first annual interactive art showcase in Sixth Ward’s Union HTX gallery. Donkeeboy serves on the advisory committee for the Catwalks and Classrooms showcase exhibit. He also assists budding designers at Fashion Camp Houston and is an art instructor for Break Free Hip-Hop School.

Youth Activist Award: Yonatan Mascorro
Yonatan Mascorro is the recipient of the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. He has dedicated his time to cultivating young leaders through his personal, professional and academic experiences. Growing up in the East-End of Houston, Yonatan graduated at the top of his class from Stephen F. Austin High School. During his high school years, he was a program mentor for the Academic Achievers Program, where he mentored and encouraged 25 students to excel in their calculus, physics, and chemistry courses. Within a two-year timeframe, he was able to guide low-performing students to the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Yonatan is now a first-generation college student pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Houston. He is passionate about STEM and giving back to his East End Community. Yonatan is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Latinos in Science and Engineering. In these programs, he organizes various STEM-related events for high school students and encourages them to reach their highest aspirations.

Education in the Community Award: Dr. Sandra Guerra Thompson
Dr. Sandra Guerra Thompson is the recipient of the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. She has inspired generations of young Latino law students and has served as an important role model and leader for the Latino community. A Yale University and Yale Law School graduate, Dr. Thompson is an acclaimed national expert in criminal law and has taught at the University of Houston Law Center for three decades. Dr. Thompson also serves as the director of the University of Houston’s Criminal Justice Institute. In 2016, she played a pivotal role in Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Transition Team’s Criminal Justice Committee, as well as Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s transition to office the following year. Earlier this year, Chief U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal appointed her as deputy monitor of Harris County’s historic bail reform agreement, which reformed the bail practices for misdemeanor defendants. She was a founding board member for the Houston Forensic Science Center and served on the Timothy Cole Advisory Panel on Wrongful Convictions as a gubernatorial appointee. Dr. Thompson has received many accolades, including the Distinguished Leadership in Teaching Excellence Award and several awards from the Hispanic Bar Association.

Community Activist Award: Hugo Mojica
Hugo Mojica is the recipient of the 2020 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. His devotion to serving others is the motivation behind his involvement in many community-based initiatives and organizations. Born in Nicaragua but raised in the Near North Side of Houston, Hugo graduated in the top five percent of his class from Jeff Davis High School and became a first-generation college student at the University of Houston where he attained a bachelor’s degree in political science. He then furthered his education and earned a Masters in Public Administration from Florida International University and a Master of Arts from the University of Miami. Hugo has nearly two decades of experience working for local, state, and federal officials and nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as the Program Manager of Community Affairs for the Houston Astros Foundations. Hugo also serves as the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens’ council no.402 and was previously a director for District VIII, is a member of Rotary Club, Rodeo Houston and is the current vice president for Parents for Public Schools. In 2017, Hugo was honored with COMCAST’s Hispanic Hero Award for his service in the community.

October 7, 2019 -- In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed this year from Sunday, Sept. 15 to Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board honored five exemplary Houstonians.

The individuals were nominated by members of the community and selected by the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) Committee for their outstanding contributions toward improving the quality of life within the Houston Hispanic community.

Starting at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, Mayor Turner recognized each of the honorees with proclamations during three different weekly Houston city council public meetings. On Thursday, Oct. 4, the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards recipients were celebrated at a reception held at the Rice Lofts.

The following individuals were selected as the 2019 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards recipients.

Nelly Moyano Fraga Michelle Ferrell Dr. Pamela Anne Quiroz Jessie R. Rodriguez Irma Torres

Nelly Moyano Fraga is the recipient of the 2019 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Her unwavering support for educational, cultural and civic activities has provided a greater appreciation for cultural arts, particularly among Houston youth, and has inspired countless volunteers from many other countries to form folkloric dance and music groups in  Houston. Thanks to a scholarship from the Cleveland International Program for Social Workers and Youth Leaders, Fraga and other scholarship recipients were sent to various cities in the United States for the program’s field work. Fraga was assigned to Neighborhood Centers Ripley House in Houston, where she met her future husband, the honorable Felix Fraga, a former Houston city council member.

Michelle Ferrell is the recipient of the 2019 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. She is a tireless advocate for introducing other young women to technology, as well as promoting women’s health, political engagement and representation in leadership roles. She is a third generation Houstonian raised in the communities of East End and Garden Villa. She attended Incarnate Word Academy and San Jacinto College before earning her Bachelors in Toy Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Using her expertise as a consultant in the field of technology, she founded Miso 411- UX/UI design consultancy. As an entrepreneur, she aims to create diverse and inclusive experiences and inspire school age girls and young women to learn careers in the technology field.

Dr. Pamela Anne Quiroz is the recipient of the 2019 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. Dr. Quiroz has dedicated her life to preserving historical documents and making contributions for the betterment of the Latino community. She is Executive Director of the Inter-University Program on Latino Research (IUPLR), a national consortium of U.S. Latino, Latin American and Latino-Caribbean university-based institutes and research centers, dedicated to the advancement of the Latino intellectual presence and scholarship. She also serves as the Director of the Center for Mexican American Studies and Professor of Sociology at the University of Houston. Most recently, Quiroz was elected the 2020 Vice President of the Society for the Study of Social Problems.

Jesse R. Rodriguez is the recipient of the 2019 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Art in the Community Award. As a native Magnolia Park resident, Rodriguez graduated from Stephen F. Austin Senior High School in 1989 and the Art Institute of Houston in 1991. He is proud of the roots his family has planted in Magnolia Park since 1929. Artistically known as Magnolia Grown, Rodriguez has made outstanding contributions to sustaining the community’s 109-year history through his passion for art. He has promoted art in Magnolia Park and served as an artistic voice for the cultivation of the community. In December 2015, he started Magnolia Grown, which began with a well-received T-shirt design that communicated the rich history of Magnolia Park through art. The artistry displayed on the shirt grew a strong following on social media and Jesse began receiving requests for Magnolia Grown merchandise. In February 2016, he had his first Magnolia Grown pop-up shop, with 25 pop-ups since then.

Irma Torres is the recipient of the 2019 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. She has dedicated her time to cultivating young leaders through her personal, professional and academic experiences. A Houston native, Torres is a senior attending DeBakey High School for Health Professions. The summer before starting high school, she volunteered over 100 hours to the Children’s Museum of Houston. She  returned for the summer 2017 Discovery Squad program, where she was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award, gold status.

The Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board is co-chaired by Roland Garcia and Lenora Sorola-Pohlman. 

Mayor Turner Announces the 2018 Hispanic Heritage Award Recipients

September 24, 2018 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner is proud to announce the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients.

They will be honored with proclamations from Mayor Turner at Houston City Hall. Each honoree was selected based on his or her outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life and advancement of Houston’s Hispanic community.

"As we honor and celebrate the contributions of the Hispanic community, I would like to congratulate each of the honorees who were selected as part of the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Awards," stated Mayor Sylvester Turner. "Each of you has demonstrated a passion for your community and form part of the vast talent network that exists in our city. Thank you for all that you do."

• PS. Mark your calendar ~ Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards Reception, Wednesday, October 10th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, located at City Hall Legacy Room, 901 Bagby Street, Houston, Tx 77002, Dress is business/business casual.

This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Arts in the Community: Mario Enrique “Gonzo” Figueroa Jr.

Mario Enrique “Gonzo” Figueroa Jr. is the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Art in the Community Award. His passion for art advocacy locally and beyond has promoted the beauty of Latino culture and serving as an artistic voice for the cultivation of Latin American art. A proud native of Houston’s East End, Figueroa Jr.’s love for visual arts was inspired by Leopoldo Tanguma’s well-known mural The Rebirth of Our Nationality, and cultivated his dream to become the well known aerosol artist he is today.

A self taught and knowledgeable artist, Figueroa Jr. began creating masterpieces in 1985 under the name GONZO247. Since then, he has greatly impacted Houston’s vibrant art scene, having opened the Aerosol Warfare Gallery, founded the Graffiti & Street Art Museum of Texas and established the Houston Wall of Fame, the city’s first largest art production of its kind. An artistic creator on a local, national and international level, he has participated in over 50 exhibitions and art projects, worked with major brand campaigns and commercial branding projects, as well as with local organizations such as TEDxYouth Houston, Avenue CDC–Art on the Avenue, The Orange Show Center for Visual Arts and Project Row Houses, among others. His most notable commissioned public artistry includes the large mural in the Houston Public Library’s underground parking garage and the Houston is Inspired mural across from Market Square Park.

An early-on pioneer in the graffiti and street art genres in Houston, Figueroa, Jr. was recently selected to restore the massive The Rebirth of Our Nationality mural in the Second Ward. Through this restoration, the mural will continue to serve as a symbolic story of Mexican-American struggles, triumphs and heritage.

Community Activist: Estella Mireles Walters

Estella Mireles Walters is the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Community Activist Award. She is a model of strength, integrity and honesty, having spent countless hours giving back to the community over the past several decades. A third generation Houstonian, Mireles Walters is a graduate of Houston Community College and the University of Texas MD Anderson School of Allied Health. She retired after 43 years as a professional medical laboratory technologist.

The tragic murder of 11-year-old Josue Flores inspired her to establish Safe Walk Home Northside, a program that ensures safe passage for children as they walk to and from school. Safe Walk Home set up their base of operations at Holy Name Church and repaired the church’s antique bells to ring and alert the community to watch the children. Regularly scheduled program meetings are attended by representatives from the Houston Police Department, Houston Independent School District, METRO, civic leaders and the offices of city, state and federal elected individuals.

Thanks to Mireles Walters’ grassroots activism, Houston City Council unanimously approved a civility ordinance for the Near Northside neighborhood to combat vagrancy, trespassing and drug dealing. She was also influential in the passage of Senate Bill 195, which allows for a school district or county to apply for additional transportation funding in communities that experience high crime rates.

Education in the Community: Rebeca Treviño

Rebeca Treviño is the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Education in the Community Award. She has dedicated her life to persevering and making contributions for the betterment of the Latino community. Born in Mexico and raised in Brownsville, Texas, Treviño, attained her degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville and later worked for her alma mater for 10 years. In 1995, she worked for the University of Houston’s (UH) Center for Mexican-American Studies, and soon realized the need to educate and instill in youth a sense of awareness for Hispanic culture and the value of a quality education. In 1999, Treviño became Program Coordinator for the SABE Program at Austin High School, an outreach program that encourages students to continue with their high school education and recruits them to the University of Houston. Presently, as the Program Manager of the Academic Achievers Program since 2001, she is committed to retaining and propelling more Hispanic students to become University of Houston graduates. In her role, she provides support services such as mentoring, academic tutoring, leadership skills and scholarships to first generation students.

As a certified university studies division academic advisor, Trevino's has served as UH Staff Council representative, advisor for Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Delta Gamma Sorority, and currently staff advisor for Sigma Lambda Beta. As an education advocate, she has actively worked with the Coalition for Higher Education to help immigrant students obtain a higher education in Texas. She has served as council member of the Junior Achievement Hispanic Advisory Board, member of the Latin Women’s Initiative since 2003, UNIVISION “Nuestra Vida” Advisory Council member and has served as regional judge for the HEB Excellence in Education Awards. Treviño has truly left a lasting impression on the many students and youth she has encountered over the years, and many of them yet recall her impactful, meaningful and nurturing care and concern for their future.

Youth Activist: Homero Benavides

Homero Benavides is the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Youth Activist Award. He has dedicated his time to cultivating young leaders through his personal, professional and academic experiences. Benavides is a member of the Academic Achievers Program at the University of Houston, where he serves and leads with distinction. He demonstrated his dedication to the program through his outstanding academic performance as a mechanical engineering student and through his participation in a multitude of workshops, meetings and leadership retreats on behalf of the program. Benavides enjoys memberships to a host of campus organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the NACME scholar program.

Since 2011, he has been the president of the Society of Latinos in Science and Engineering (MAES) and has also served as membership coordinator, recruitment chair and as a mentor during the annual MAES Science Extravaganza. He is an extremely active participant in the society’s outreach events. During his summer internship at NASA Johnson Space Center, he readily presented his research in public forums and participated in NASA sponsored colloquia, workshops and technology demonstrations. In 2012, Benavides was selected to participate in the Harvard Latino Leadership Initiative program, an intensive, week long leadership development program at the esteemed Harvard Kennedy School. He was chosen from among the nation’s most promising undergraduates that demonstrated interest in serving the Latino community.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Graciela Saenz

Graciela “Gracie” Saenz is the recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. She is a woman of many talents, a leader with a formidable heart, Saenz has dedicated her life to preserving and making contributions for the betterment of the Latino community.

Saenz was formerly a law partner with Elizabeth Burkhardt and the founding member of the Saenz & Burkhardt PLLC law firm. She has been in law practice for over 32 years. Her practice currently focuses on government relations, business, commercial and international transactions. She is very involved in leadership positions throughout the community after serving on the Houston City Council from 1992-1997. Her experience as a former council member and Mayor Pro-Tem has assisted in leveraging her knowledge of local city politics and essential political networks to best serve her clients’ goals.

Saenz’s experience as chair of the Houston International Initiatives and the chair of the NAFTA Committee of the Houston City Council have also served her in continuing her close ties to businesses throughout Latin America. Her experience also includes representing a broad range of government and corporate clients in corporate, international, energy and tourism. She has also helped various nonprofit organizations get established and assisted in developing their missions, strategies, organizational structures and governing documents.

Throughout her career, Saenz has received many accolades such as the Hispanic Woman of the Year Award, Hispanic Women in Leadership-Hall of Fame, Professional Women in Fellowship Award, Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce- Women on the Move and La Rosa Family Services Gala Honoree, among several others.

Mayor Sylvester Turner today announced the recipients of the 2016 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards. Each honoree was selected based on his or her outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life and advancement of Houston’s Hispanic community.

This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Felix Fraga
Felix Fraga has been advocating for the Houston Hispanic Community for 70 years. He is currently the Vice President for External Relations at Neighborhood Centers, Inc. where he has been employed continuously since 1946. He is well known for his work to improve the social, economic and physical surroundings of Houston’s Hispanic dominated Second Ward. He has served as a board trustee for the Houston Independent School District and a City Council member representing District H. He is a member of the Houston Committee for Private Sector Initiatives, the Houston Housing Development Corporation, United Way of Houston and the Houston Housing Finance Corporation. He has also served on the Cultural Arts Council of Houston, the Neighborhood Housing Service and the Houston Housing Authority. His previous honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Social Workers as well as the Mexican American Bar Association’s Metro Salute to Hispanic Families and Community Service Award.

Community Activist: Marisela Vasquez
Born and raised in Houston’s East End, Marisela Vasquez has deeps roots in community service. She is considered a phenomenal community activist and role model for Hispanic children and young women in Houston. For more than 30 years, she has been involved in the Rusk Athletic Club, a local organization that showcases Hispanic athletes and provides college scholarships. Vasquez is a longtime support of Shoes for Kids, founded by the late Yolanda Black Navarro. Since Navarro’s passing, Vasquez has worked to keep the charity thriving. She has also served as chair of the Queen of Peace Fall Festival, an annual school fundraiser.

Education in the Community: Christina Morales
Christina Morales is also deeply rooted in the Houston’s East End. She took the reins of the family business, Felix H. Morales Funeral Home, at a very young age and with minimal preparation or experience. After just a few years of guidance from her grandmother, she began serving as President of the funeral home. She leads the Felix and Angela Morales Memorial Foundation that helps Latinos pursue education and leadership positions. She also organizes the 85-year old funeral home’s annual back to school supplies giveaway. Morales has held numerous positions for various charities and community organizations, including Incarnate Word Academy, Neighborhood Centers, Inc., the East End Foundation, the Houston Community College Foundation and Mayor Sylvester Turner’s Transition Committee.

Youth Activist: Yvette Hernandez
Since high school, Yvette Hernandez has known she wanted to give back to the community. She started by tutoring fellow students at Ceasar Chavez High School. On the weekends, she volunteered at Case Juan Diego, helping plant and harvest vegetables for immigrants and refugees. Her Catholic faith is very important to her. She attends Immaculate Heart of Mary and is involved in the Leadership Awareness Faith Family Self Esteem program. She has also volunteered to help the JFK Toy Drive, DePelchin Children’s Center, Houston Food Bank and the Mayor’s Back to School Fest. Her biggest passion is getting Hispanics to vote. Hernandez was one of the youngest individuals elected as President of the Oak Meadows Civic Club and was also the youngest delegate elected by Senate District 6 for the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Art in the Community: Richard Reyes
Richard Reyes, also known as Pancho Claus, has dedicated his life to promoting arts in the Hispanic community. He has written and directed youth and adult plays at Talento Bilingue de Houston (TBH) at Ripley Houston Community Center, and directed Dia de la Raza for a number of years at Miller Outdoor Theater. In 1993, he helped secured a million dollar grant to build the TBH Cultural Center at Guadalupe Plaza. During this same time, he also worked with Precinct 6, the Houston Gang Task force and several Harris County Youth Detention Centers to expose youth offenders to the arts. Pancho Claus began as a children’s play and has now evolved into Houston Christmas event encompassing parades, a band, toy cruises and, more importantly, the distribution of thousands of Christmas gifts to inner-city children and senior citizens. Reyes has served on numerous local boards and organizations and has been recognized repeatedly for his volunteerism and work, including being honored with the title of Executive Director Emeritus from the Talento Bilingue de Houston.

The annual Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards are given out each September in conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month.

The 2015 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are being honored with proclamations from Mayor Annise Parker today and October 6, 2015 at Houston City Hall. Each honoree was selected based on his or her outstanding contributions toward enhancing the quality of life and advancement of Houston’s Hispanic community.
This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Josefina Rendon and Jose Adan Trevino
Josefina Rendon was one of Harris County’s first Hispanic women attorneys and the first woman and first Hispanic Civic Service Commissioner for the City of Houston. In 1983 she became Houston’s third Latina municipal court judge, where she still presides. Her judicial career also includes becoming the first Latina Civil District Judge in Harris County. Judge Rendon is the immediate past president of the Association for Conflict Resolution – Houston and past president of the Texas Association of Mediators. She is a published author of over 100 articles and the recipient of both the Justice Frank Evans Award from the State Bar of Texas and the Susanne Adams Aware from the Texas Association of Mediators.

Jose Adan Trevino is founder and former President/CEO of Univision 45, Houston’s first Spanish language television station. Trevino has also been a strong voice on behalf of the Hispanic community at the local and national levels. He has served on many boards including the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Chancellor’s Council at the University of Texas-Austin, Houston Community College Foundation, Texas State Securities Board, Baylor College of Medicine, Governor’s Business Council and the Greater Houston Partnership.

Community Activist: Gilbert Garcia
Gilbert Garcia has enjoyed much success professionally, but he has also been a dedicated volunteer, leader and activist in the Houston Hispanic community. In 2010, Garcia was appointed as the first Hispanic chairman of METRO. Under his leadership, METRO has restored its public image, repaired its relationship with the Federal Transit Administration, improved customer service, obtained voter approval for more funding, expanded light rail service to the Hispanic community and received the Gold Leadership Circle Award for transparency from the Texas State Comptroller. His volunteer work includes countless hours of service on difference nonprofit boards and fundraising for community improvement efforts and organizations that benefit the Hispanic community.

Education in the Community: Gloria Zenteno
Gloria Zenteno founded Barrio Dogs in 2010 after she moved back to the East End and witnessed homeless, neglected and mistreated animals seemingly everywhere. The organization stresses the importance of spaying and neutering pets and encourages residents to report animal abuse or neglect to authorities. By working in community centers and schools and holding events at civic association meetings and parks, Barrio Dogs spreads its message to the larger community. Zenteno’s hard work and commitment to her East End community and to its animals are obvious and serve as a great example for others to follow.

Youth Activist: James Lee
James Lee is the public affairs field specialist for Legacy Community Health. While a student at the University of Houston (UH), he founded LGBT Advocates, the first undergraduate political organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students. As the leader of the organization, he worked to expand UH’s nondiscrimination policy to include protections for all LGBT students. As a member of the UH Student Government Association, Lee also advocated on behalf of undocumented students and for revisions to academic policy regarding mental health. His work in the area of healthcare policy advocacy has been recognized by the Texas Freedom Network, which honored Lee with the 2012 Samantha Smoot Activist Award.

Art in the Community: Daniel Bustamante
Daniel Bustamante is Executive Director of the Greater Houston Fair Housing Center and a founding member of the Multicultural Arts Cooperative of Houston. He is an experienced producer, director and administrator of festivals, tours, television, community programs and special events. Bustamante’s record of community service spans nearly 40 years and includes being a founding member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Go Tejano Committee, membership in the Houston Association of Hispanic Media Professionals and serving as chair of the Casa de Amigos Health Clinic Advisory Council. He has been founded, produced or directed a dozen local shows and festivals.

The City of Houston Reveals 2014 Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Award Recipients

September 15, 2014 --The 2014 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards is a distinction which reflects the outstanding contributions each honoree has made toward enhancing the quality of life of our Hispanic community.

“Each award recipient has displayed leadership and dedication to advancing our Hispanic community,” said Mayor Parker.  “Houston is enriched by their volunteerism, activism and public service. The Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards recognizes their contributions and celebrates our city’s diversity.”

This year’s Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award recipients are:

Lifetime Achievement Award: Professor Richard Tapia
Richard Tapia is a professor at Rice University in the Computational and Applied Mathematics Department and a national leader in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and research. His commitment to higher education, college readiness and promoting greater participation of underrepresented students in the sciences is evident through his interactions and lasting impressions with his students. Professor Tapia’s efforts have been recognized through numerous awards and recognitions, including the National Medal of Science by President Obama, and most recently, the National Science Board’s Vannevar Bush Award, among several others.

Community Activist: Demetrius Navarro
Demetrius Navarros is a native Houstonian who enjoys giving back to his community by supporting his children’s schools and various professional and civic organizations, including Tejano Center for Community Concerns, the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Spring Branch Community Health Center, among several others. His efforts have instilled leadership skills in our youth and have raised funds that have enriched the success and awareness of several organizations.

Education in the Community: Professor Michael Olivas
Dr. Michael Olivas is the Director of the Institute for Higher Education Law and Governance and the William B. Bates Distinguished Chair in Law at the University of Houston. Professor Olivas has captured and preserved the rich history of our nation and city’s Hispanic community through engaged lectures which highlight landmark cases in the areas of civil rights and liberties. His passion for equality has reached leaders in business, government and academia, and his work has received numerous recognitions, including the coveted Esther Farfel Award, the highest honor accorded to a University of Houston faculty member.

Youth Activist: Maria Castillo Valle
Maria Castillo Valle was born in Guatemala and came to the U.S. with the hopes of a bright future. Her interest in politics and educating others regarding the political process stemmed from her desire to make changes not only in her life but in others. Maria has led efforts to mobilize fellow students at St. Thomas University to register to vote by establishing an organization on campus that teaches youth the importance of civic engagement. She will be fulfilling her dream of attending law school this fall at South Texas College of law and will also have the opportunity to intern in Harris County’s 174th District Court.

Art in the Community: Jose Antonio Diaz
Jose Antonio Diaz is a renowned music educator and the founder of Diaz Music Institute, an after-school enrichment program that presents, develops and teaches children Latin jazz and salsa music. He is a tremendous force in the development of Latin music in our communities and presents cultural events which transcend cultural lines and generations of listeners. Diaz Music Institute’s annual presentation of Noché Caliente at Miller Outdoor Theatre has been recognized as one of the most premier Afro-Latin youth ensembles in the country. His success as a music educator has garnered him national recognition and has been the subject of featured cover stories in SBO Magazine and Band Director’s Guide Magazine.

Click photos below for full-sized versions

Photos by © Kim Coffman

September 17, 2013 -- Mayor Annise Parker today announced the recipients of the 2013 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards, an honor that is part of the city’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Mayor Parker photographed with 2013 Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board
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  • Full-Sized Photo (.jpg)
• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month (.pdf)

“These awards have become a time-honored tradition to highlight the achievements in Houston’s Hispanic community, which is growing more every year,” said Mayor Parker. “With the help of my Hispanic Advisory Board, we are proud of these Houstonians and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with pride."

The following awards were announced for 2013:

Lifetime Achievement: Dolores “Lolita” Guerrero
Lolita is a successful entrepreneur and life-long community servant. Her volunteer service to our city includes her work as Vice Chair of the Harris County Appraisal Review Board and as board member of the Houston Read Commission, National Census Board, Houston Grand Opera, Theater Under the Stars, Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau, Houston Business Council, Houston Economic Summit and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Lolita has worked hard to advance the Hispanic community through her volunteerism with LULAC, where she was the first woman to serve as the Texas State Director, National Executive Director and president of a local LULAC chapter.

Art in the Community: Macario Ramirez
Macario Ramirez is proprietor of Casa Ramirez Folk Art in the Heights area. Macario is a long-time activist with an artistic flair. Macario is well known for his love of folk art and teaching others about traditions that reflect the Hispanic culture, such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead.) He enjoys hosting events that promote Hispanic writers, artwork and social action. At Casa Ramirez, he often draws crowds to celebrate occasions such as La Virgen de Guadalupe, Cinco de Mayo, Cruces y Simbolos de Fe, Diez y Seis de Septiembre and many more.

Community Activist: Mario Martinez
Mario is a native Houstonian who grew up in the Near Northside neighborhood where he still lives and is actively making a difference for his community. His first passion is advocating for children and quality education. Mario volunteers at Ketelsen Elementary as a translator, serving as a liaison between school administrators and parents, advocating for children, facilitating community meetings and campaigning for political action. Mario serves as vice president of Ketelsen Elementary’s PTA, secretary of Marshall Middle School’s PTO and is a member of the Davis High School Alumni. He was a major force behind the development of a SPARK Park that opened just last year in his community. He is also an active member of GO Neighborhoods, serving on the Steering Committee, Community Coordinating Team, GO Neighborhoods Grant Committee and is captain of the GO Safety Team.

Education: Nicolas Kanellos, Ph.D.
Dr. Kanellos has been a professor at the University of Houston since 1980. He is the founding publisher of the noted Hispanic literary journal The America Review and is also the founder of the nation’s oldest Hispanic publishing house, Arte Publico Press. Dr. Kanellos is the director of a major national research program recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage of the United States. In 1994, President Bill Clinton appointed Dr. Kanellos to the National Council on the Humanities.  The first Brown Foundation Professor of Hispanic Studies at University of Houston, Dr. Kanellos has authored several books and articles; he has also provided invaluable research, and helped other writers get published. Dr. Kanellos is recognized for his scholarly achievements, receiving the Denali Press Award of the American Library Association; American Book Award in the Publisher/Editor category; Hispanic Heritage Award for Literature presented by the White House; as well as various fellowships.  He was also elected to the Spanish American Royal Academy of Literature, Arts and Sciences in Spain.

Youth Activist: Nohemi Chavez
Nohemi Chavez graduated from Milby High School in the top three percent of her class and is currently attending Texas A&M where she is studying geology. In her spare time, Nohemi enjoys working with children, volunteering at the Children’s Museum and teaching Sunday school classes. Because of Nohemi’s environmental interests, she also makes time to help with recycling and clean-up efforts around her school. Previously, she was involved in numerous activities at Milby including student council, the National Honor Society, served as vice president of the English, Science, Spanish, and History Honor Society, and president of the National Honors Art Society.

All recipients will be honored at the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award Reception to be held October 9th from 5:30- 7 pm at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St.

Mayor Parker Reveals 2012 Hispanic Heritage Awards Recipients

September 26, 2012 -- Mayor Annise Parker today announced the recipients of the 2012 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards, an honor that is part of the city’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

“This year’s honorees have each contributed in their own way to the Hispanic community of Houston, and it’s time we gave them a special recognition for their efforts,” said Mayor Parker. “In addition to this year’s awardees, I am grateful to my Hispanic Advisory Board for all they do to help the community.”

All recipients will be honored at the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award Reception to be held October 3 from 5:30- 7:30 pm at the Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby St.

The following awards were announced for 2012:

Lifetime Achievement: Janie and Frumencio Reyes -- Janie and Frumencio Reyes are two of the most respected and accomplished Latino leaders in Houston. Frumencio was instrumental in the creation of the single-member city council districts, serving as lead council in the lawsuit that ultimately created single-member districts in the City of Houston. Frumencio reprised his role as a redistricting expert in 2010, working with Mayor Parker on the successful redraw of the council map. Janie and Frumencio have been recognized through honors and awards by The Texas Democratic Women, the Texas State Mexican American Democrats, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement/AFL-CIO, Volunteers in Public Schools and many others.

Community Activist: Sylvia Louise Gonzales -- Sylvia Louise Gonzales is a native Houstonian and has had careers in both law enforcement and education. She worked as a special education teacher for Alief School District for one year, then found a career in Harris County Juvenile Probation for 28 years. Gonzales has been an active LULAC member for 43 years, which she credits for teaching her how to do civil rights and community service work.

Education: Rick Cruz -- Rick Cruz is passionate about providing Latino and low-income students with access to educational opportunities. After graduating from Yale with honors, Cruz moved to Houston to live close to his family. He worked at the Baker Botts law firm where he volunteered to help on several pro bono cases, then joined Teach for America where he held numerous leadership positions on his campus. In 2010, Cruz started a program called EMERGE Fellowship to help Latino and low-income students in the Houston area be successful in attending and graduating from Ivy League and top-tier colleges.

Youth Activist: Genry Santibanez -- Genry Santibanez is a proud graduate of public schools in HISD, and was most recently the valedictorian at Stephen F. Austin High School. He was involved in numerous activities in high school where he took leadership positions, including National Honor Society, Science Club, Student Council and many more. In addition to his involvement in academics and campus activities, he avidly participated in community service. He volunteers every year on Thanksgiving, helping to feed Houston's homeless at the George R. Brown Convention Center. He tutored first graders in math, reading and writing at local elementary schools. He was also involved in an "Adopt a Fire Station" project with his school's chapter of the National Honor Society.

Art in the Community: Tony Diaz -- Tony Diaz is a novelist and an entrepreneur who brings together contemporary Latino arts, culture and business in what has now blossomed into the Librotraficante Movement. He is the founder of Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say, which promotes Latino literature and literacy through workshops, readings and book fairs. Diaz is originally from Chicago, and moved to Houston to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing at the University of Houston. He is currently the host of the Nuestra Palabra radio show on KPFT 90.1 FM.

Mayor Parker Announces 2011 Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Awards Recipients

October 6, 2011 -- Mayor Annise Parker and the Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board (MHAB) will honor five community members with the 2011 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards (MHHA) as part of Houston's Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. A reception to celebrate the award recipients will take place Thursday, October 6th, at the Houston Aquarium downtown, 410 Bagby, 77002 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

The celebration will include music by Mango Punch, and emcees Erik Barajas from ABC 13 and Mariana Pineda from Univision 45.

“This year’s winners have truly helped their communities in various ways, especially serving as role models for future generations,” said Mayor Parker. “I’m proud to recognize their accomplishments and contributions to our city as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.”

The MHHA recognizes Houstonians who have made significant contributions leading to quality of life improvements in Houston.  Award recipients are being recognized throughout Hispanic Heritage Month during City Council meetings.

Lifetime Achievement: Richard Farias -- As President and CEO of Tejano Center for Community Concerns, Farias is directly responsible for developing the agency, from a small neighborhood organization to become the 17th largest charitable nonprofit organization in Houston. The programs offered at the Tejano Center have provided educational, social and health services and community development initiatives to thousands of families. Farias' award will be recognized by Houston City Council with a Mayor's Proclamation on October 4th.

Community Activist: Edward Sanchez -- A senior cosmetic manager and make-up artist for one of Houston's premier spas by trade, Edward Sanchez continuously collaborates in community initiatives in his spare time.  Sanchez has raised millions of dollars for several nonprofit organizations including the AIDS Foundation Houston, the Society for Performing Arts and Citizens for Animal Protection. This year he chaired the World Aids Day luncheon, which raised more than $40,000.00. Sanchez's award was recognized by Houston City Council with a Mayor's Proclamation on September 27th.

Education: Luis Cano -- Dr. Luis Cano is one of the most respected educators in Houston regarding Chicano studies.  In the 1970's he became the first executive director of the Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans (AAMA). Additionally, he founded the George I. Sanchez Jr. High School as an alternative for students removed from mainstream education options. Through his work, Dr. Cano has inspired many to become engaged in community service. Dr. Cano's award was recognized by Houston City Council with a Mayor's Proclamation on September 27th.

Youth Activist: Sonia Lopez -- As Chief of Staff to Representative Ana Hernandez, Sonia Lopez has continued to work towards the improvement of the community. Her principal affiliation is with the National Hispanic Institute (NHI), which teaches leadership skills to youth through debate and other speech activities. For the past ten years, Sonia has served as participant, tournament director, senior counselor and most recently as Project Administrator for the local NHI Chapter. Lopez's award was recognized by Houston City Council with a Mayor's Proclamation on September 27th.

Public Safety: Gerardo De Leon -- Gerardo de Leon, or Coach De Leon as he is affectionately known, teaches physical education at Ketelesen Elementary and Davis High School and is also an advocate for the community. He has championed graffiti abatement initiatives and he uses his time and resources to bring important public safety issues to the attention of police.  De Leon's award was recognized by Houston City Council with a Mayor's Proclamation on September 20th.

In addition, this year the MHAB is featuring local artist Frank Morales and honoring Frank Alvarez and Jesse Campos with posthumous achievement awards. Morales is a Houston-based photographer whose photos of the city of Houston are spotlighted on the Houston Hispanic Heritage website and will be displayed at the awards reception. Alvarez served as president of the Mexican American Bar Association of Houston, created a mentorship program at Hogg Middle School, and was a recipient of numerous community awards. Campos was a WWII vet, noted Houston community activist, and Salvation Army volunteer.

The Legacy Sponsor of the MHHA program is Shell. Heritage Sponsors are Cafe Diario, Carreño Group, Comcast, Greenberg Traurig, LLP and Navarro Insurance Group. Leadership Circle Sponsors are Amegy Bank, Compean Funeral Home, ELP Enterprise, Inc., Garcia Hamilton & Associates LP, Houston Business Development Inc., LLC Strategies, Rice University, The Port of Houston Authority and UH Center for Mexican American Studies. Friends of Houston Hispanic Heritage Sponsors are Al-fin Photography, De Madres a Madres, Edward Ybarra, Hispanic Women in Leadership, Houston Hispanic Chamber, Lauren Soliz, Lenora Sorola-Pohlman, Lillian Villarreal, Olivia Carbajal, Ramiro Fonseca, Roberto Caballero, Roland Garcia, Talento Bilingue de Houston, Victor Castillo, Yolanda Alvarado and Yolanda Navarro Black.

Mayor Parker Announces 2010 Hispanic Heritage Awards Recipients and Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board

October 1, 2010 -- Mayor Annise Parker today announced the recipients of the 2010 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards and the members of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board.

“With the help of my new Hispanic Advisory Board, we found five unsung heroes in the Hispanic community who really made a difference in other people’s lives,” said Mayor Parker. “I am proud to recognize their contributions, and am looking forward to hearing about their many more achievements in the future.”

Lifetime Achievement: John Castillo

John Castillo is a Hispanic activist and political strategist who has played a key role in shaping Houston’s history and future by helping others’ elections. His political interests began with the campaign to elect Lauro Cruz to be the Houston area’s first Mexican-American state representative. His political acumen came from working in Houston’s political scene, working on the campaigns of Roman Martinez, Mario Gallegos, Tina Reyes, Ben Reyes and Leonel Castillo, to name a few. He eventually became a candidate himself, running for Controller, Harris County Constable and winning the election to become a member of Houston’s City Council.

Community Activist: Maria Jimenez

Maria Jimenez has been a strong voice and activist in social justice issues for the past 39 years. She began by organizing border communities in redressing human and civil rights violations in enforcement and immigration laws. She developed human rights monitoring and documentation methods and helped write several human rights reports on abuse of authority and violations of rights in the enforcement of border policies and immigration laws. Maria is a pioneer in her efforts for social justice, currently as part of the Central American Resource Center and as a Visiting Lecturer for the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Houston.

Education: Alma Lara

Alma Lara is a Houston native and has been an educator for 36 years at both elementary and university levels. She began as a teacher at Lamar Elementary, where she found her passion to reach out and help families in need. She then became a counselor and then principal, and eventually moved to Lee and then Ketelsen Elementary schools to lead their faculty and staff. Alma has touched the lives of many, serving as a role model for educational excellence herself by completing her Masters degree and now as a student in the Educational Administration Doctoral Program at Texas A&M University. She is recent appointee to the READ Commission, and also volunteers her time at NCI Ripley House and Crockett Elementary.

Youth Activist: Florencia Quesnel

Florencia Quesnel is a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of St. Thomas. As a little girl, she was stricken with a rare disease that destroyed her liver and she has just been diagnosed with kidney disease. She is currently waiting for a liver transplant, and she’s on a mission to raise awareness in the Hispanic community about organ and tissue donation. As a living example of the need for organ donation, she volunteers her time by promoting donation in various media outlets, organizing and appearing at donor drives and health fairs, as well as speaking as a donation advocate in front of City Council.

Public Safety: Dee Leal

Dee Leal is a police officer in the Houston Police Department who contributes to her community in many ways. Every holiday season, Dee helps various organizations to ensure every child receives a present at Christmas time. She also spearheads the Houston Police Organization of Spanish Speaking Officers scholarship program, raising funds and gathering a panel of judges to designate the recipients. In addition, Dee volunteers her time helping Houston area officers injured in the line of duty and in need of assistance. This includes organizing fundraising efforts, providing emotional support to family members and helping transport officers to their treatments.

Mayor Parker also announced the following individuals as members of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board:

Mayor Bill White, Council Members Edward Gonzalez, Melissa Noriega and James Rodriguez, and members of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board will recognize various Hispanic community leaders for their contributions during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The 2009 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award Honorees are:

• Dr. Dorothy Caram - Lifetime Achievement
• Mr. Armando Bermudez - Community Activist
• Mr. Al Vera - Education
• Dr. Heladio Ibarguen - Health
• Chief Lorenzo Diaz - Public Safety
• Mr. Francisco Garcia - Youth Activist

A reception to honor the award recipients will take place Wednesday, September 16, at the Wortham Center, Grand Foyer, 501 Texas Avenue, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Recipients also will be presented consecutively with a mayoral proclamation in their honor at Tuesday City Council sessions throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15).

This year’s sponsors include AT&T, Bank of America, Comcast, HEB, Southwest Airlines, City of Houston Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Univision 45/Telefutura 67, Mi Pueblito Restaurant and Eastman Photography.

Mayor Bill White Recognizes Hispanic Community's Everyday Heroes
Reception for Annual Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Awards Oct. 2nd

October 1, 2008 -- Mayor Bill White, Council Members Adrian Garcia, Melissa Noriega and James Rodriguez, and members of the Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Board, as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, will recognize various Hispanic community leaders for their contributions . A reception to honor the award recipients will take place Thursday, October 2nd, at the Wortham Theatre, Grand Foyer, 501 Texas Avenue, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

“ It’s the people who keep their eyes on the community and help their neighbors who make us a great city,” said Mayor White . “The people we honor here are the true leaders.“

The 2008 Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award Honorees are:

• Frank Partida – Lifetime Achievement
• Enrique Lima– Community Activist
• Daniel De Leon – Education
• Felicita Menjivar – Health
• Julio R. Enriquez – Public Safety
• Cesar Espinoza – Youth Activist

The awards recognize citizens who have made significant contributions leading to quality of life improvements in Houston. An individual award recipient will be recognized every Tuesday throughout Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15) during City Council meetings.

Underwriter of the MHHA program is Bank of America. Sponsors include AT&T, The Principle Partnering Group, City of Houston Convention and Entertainment Facilities Department, Mayor’s Office of Special Events, Houston Fire Department, Houston Police Department, KPRC-TV Channel 2 and Univision 45/Telefutura 67.