Ford Foundation Invests in Latino Art and Artists in “Reclaiming the Border” Project

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Apr 082021
 

Shared Spaces by Ana Maria Alvarez produced by Border Arts Corridor. Photo Credit: Ammi Robles.

Latino Traffic Report has learned that the Ford Foundation will partner with Borealis Philanthropy, the Center for Cultural Power, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures to launch Reclaiming the Border Narrative.

Nansi Guevara, 2020 Border Narrative Change, NFA Grantee

Reclaiming the Border Narrative is an effort to penetrate and shape the national attention on migration and the United States-Mexico border by supporting authentic storytelling by affected communities on the cultures and socio-political dynamics that comprise the region. Funding will enable immigrant rights advocates, artists, writers and organizations to work over the next three years to organize and preserve stories reflecting the dignity and truth of border communities, connecting and empowering them to center their own narrative on their terms and in their voices.

“Damaging narratives about border communities have for too long dominated the national attitude towards immigrants. We are proud to support these communities to reclaim their truth, speak their stories, and craft new anthems for America that ring with the dignity, demands, and dreams of border communities,” said Maria Torres-Springer, vice president of U.S. Programs for the Ford Foundation.

Prevailing narratives across administrations have demonized border communities and stoked fear of immigrants, fueling xenophobic policies including a multi-billion dollar border wall and family separation. Through it all, the authentic life stories, voices, and narratives of impacted border communities have been flattened, and the complexities of their cultures, contributions, and experiences have been erased.

From The Center for Cultural Power.

The Ford Foundation will provide more than $4.5 million in grants to the partners, who will regrant to:

  • Immigrants’ rights organizations working in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas;
  • Artists, filmmakers, writers, and journalists who live or work along the border and who lift up the region’s stories and issues; and
  • Provide training and technical assistance to those grantees to improve and expand their capacity to use documentation, storytelling, and other forms of creative expression to advance their organizing and advocacy agendas beyond the life of their grants.

Ford will provide additional support to the Southwest Folklife Alliance to document the learning from this initiative. The collective efforts will be compiled into an accessible digital archive to collect, house, and preserve the stories from the border and include contributions of other communities, advocates, and creatives after the project ends.

From Borealis Philanthropy: Free our Future San Diego action organized by Mijente

“The truth that runs through all of our work is that directly affected communities are the essential creative force in the larger arc of social change,” said Amoretta Morris, president of Borealis Philanthropy. “In the aftermath of the last four years of extreme anti-immigrant actions and narratives, we must listen to and center the stories, experiences, and wisdom of border communities who are determining their own futures. Borealis is thrilled to support the advocates helping to uplift the voices we need to hear right now.”

“It’s clear that culture and stories shape national policies about immigration,” said Favianna Rodriguez, cultural strategist and president for the Center for Cultural Power. “For too long, our country’s dominant story has been one of criminalization and dehumanization, which has led to children and families being held in cages. The Center for Cultural Power is honored to build the cultural capacity of artists and pro-migrant organizations to create, amplify and normalize a different kind of culture that’s welcoming to immigrants and can move us away from a punishment economy.”

NIENMORE Texas, 2020 Border Narrative Change, NFA Grantee

Maria Torres-Springer, vice president of U.S. Programs for the Ford Foundation, said, “Damaging narratives about border communities have for too long dominated the national attitude towards immigrants. We are proud to support these communities to reclaim their truth, speak their stories, and craft new anthems for America that ring with the dignity, demands, and dreams of border communities.”

“It is a rarity to be among partners whose shared commitment to cultural competence can act as a powerful catalyst for systemic change, beginning with our efforts to amplify the rich and dynamic border stories too often overlooked,” said Alberto B. Mendoza, executive director for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. “With this investment, NAHJ and our journalists are part of a veritable opportunity for storytelling that preserves significance and fosters authenticity.”

“The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures has long stood in solidarity with Latinx artists and organizations along the southern border,” said María López De León, president and CEO of the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures. “We work to uplift the most marginalized voices within our communities because we know that art and culture is our most powerful conduit for transformative change. Using their artistic and cultural practice strategically to advance justice, artists and culture-makers along the southern border will create works that reflect the dignity, resilience, and beauty inherent in border communities and our histories. It is an honor to stand with the Ford Foundation and other partners supporting arts and culture-makers throughout the border region in cultivating collaboration across creative disciplines and borders.”

“Many widely held assumptions and beliefs about the border region and immigration that circulate in U.S. culture and media paint a negative, flat picture of these complex issues,” said Maribel Alvarez, folklorist and ethnographer for the Southwest Folklife Alliance. “To bring about lasting changes in public perceptions and policies, we need to augment the scale and capacity of those close to the ground to get their stories heard and taken seriously. This project is the welcome and urgent first step towards a more democratic and equitable public narrative about some of our country’s hardest working, yet most vulnerable, communities.”

For grant opportunities go to partner sites.

Latino Journalists Honor the Ten Best New Vehicles for 2019

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Dec 192018
 
The 2019 Genesis G70 selected top deluxe car by the 2019 Hispanic Motor Press Foundation.

Continuing a Los Angeles Auto Show tradition, the ninth annual Hispanic Motor Press Awards recently recognized the ten best new vehicles of 2019 for the Hispanic consumer at the show. Organized by the Hispanic Motor Press Foundation (HMPF), a non-profit 501 (c)(3) educational organization, the awards reflect its mission to help educate Latino about vehicles with the best value in the market through grassroots efforts and events. The jury panel for the 2019 awards, comprised of Latino automotive journalists,bloggers, and industry influencers,  including  Latino Traffic Report owner/editor Valerie Menard,  was selected by the organization’s advisory board. 

Genesis Motor America executive director, Erwin Raphael (far left) accepts the award for Best Deluxe Car given to the 2019 G70 by HMPF jury members (l to r) Juan Garcia, Gil Silva, and Ricardo Rodriguez-Long.

“Across the board, the Genesis brand stands for premium quality and reliability,” said Erwin Raphael, executive director, Genesis Motor America, who was on hand in Los Angeles to accept the award for Best Deluxe Car for the Geneses G70 from HMPF jury members.

According to data from Polk, Latinos will account for 25 percent of the growth in new-vehicle sales and are projected to spend $18 billion on new vehicles in 2019.  The impact of Latinos continues to increase exponentially in the market, influencing auto companies to consider and incorporate the needs and wants of the largest minority group in the country.

The 2019 Hyundai Kona was named Best Crossover Vehicle by the HMPF jury.

“California is known for setting the trends in the automotive industry. With the largest Hispanic population in the United States, it is the place to find out what we like,” said Ricardo Rodriguez-Long, president of the HMPF.

Hyundai Motor America COO Brian Smith (center right) accepts the award for Best Crossover Vehicle for the 2019 Kona from members of the HMPF jury.

Twenty individuals and one jury director form the panel who evaluate the vehicles from their perspective keeping the Latino audience’s preferences foremost in their minds.  An educated consumer is a satisfied consumer and the awards provide Latino consumers with outstanding choices based on the judging panels own experiences with the vehicles.

“We are proud and honored that the Hispanic Motor Press Awards are widely recognized by the automobile industry with multiple brands using the awards on their advertising and marketing campaigns,”adds Rodriguez-Long. “Our independence from specific media outlets and voluntary submissions by auto manufactures give our jury panel the ability to choose vehicles without any compromise or pressure, leveling the field for all participants.”

Here is the complete list of winners.
Sub-compact car:       KIA Rio5
Compact car:               VW Golf
Sedan car:                  Nissan Altima
Deluxe car:                  Genesis G70
Minivan:                       Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
Crossover:                  Hyundai Kona
SUV:                            Lincoln Nautilus
Sports car:                  Ford Mustang
Adventure 4×4:           Jeep Wrangler
Pick-up Truck:             Ram 1500




GM Foundation Grants $1 Million to Hispanic Groups

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Sep 102015
 

The General Motors Foundation presents grants totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education. (Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt for General Motors)

The General Motors Foundation presents grants totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education. (Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt for General Motors)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The General Motors Foundation today announced grants totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future.

Grace Lieblein, General Motors vice president of Global Quality and the highest ranking Latina at GM, announced the grants during a press conference at the National Press Club, where she was joined by GM Foundation Vice President Lori Wingerter, Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett, U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., and representatives from Hispanic organizations.

“Hispanics represent an important facet of our business as the next generation of leaders and innovators, and also our customers,” Lieblein said. “At GM, we want to help fund vital programs aimed at increasing opportunities for Latinos to pursue STEM careers and strengthen their skills to compete for jobs.”

The grants benefit the nation’s leading Hispanic organizations, including the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI), the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) and Service Employment Redevelopment (SER) National.

General Motors Vice President Global Quality Grace Lieblein announces grants on behalf of the GM Foundation totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education. Looking on are GM Chief Diversity Officer Ken Barrett (center) and U.S. Representative Tony

General Motors Vice President Global Quality Grace Lieblein announces grants on behalf of the GM Foundation totaling $1 million to fund Hispanic education and science, technology, engineering and math initiatives to help empower young Latinos to join the workforce of the future, Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Washington, DC. Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education.

Cárdenas, who represents California’s San Fernando Valley, said the grants will help increase the small number of Latino STEM graduates from U.S. colleges, helping to put more Americans into the family-wage jobs of the future.

“As the President has said, America can only succeed when we are playing with a full team. That means ensuring that everyone in our country has a great chance to not only learn, but also to succeed,” he said.

For decades, GM and its philanthropic foundation have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations across the country and around the world. These grants focus on advancing access to education through programs such as the Buick Achievers Scholarship, one of the largest programs of its kind in the country.

“We recognize the increasing importance of investing in the education and empowerment of Hispanic youth,” said Wingerter of the GM Foundation. “Through these grants, we hope to make a lasting difference in their lives and in their communities.”

Nineteen leading Hispanic groups will receive grants to fund programs focused on STEM education, including:

  • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)will expand its Empower Hispanic America with Technology (EHAT) initiative, which provides access to state-of-the-art technologies in 60 Hispanic communities across the United States. The centers will provide STEM related student support services to five EHAT sites to help improve high school STEM achievement among Hispanic youth.
  • National Council of La Raza (NCLR)As part of its Special Initiative, NCLR will develop a new component within its successful Lideres program, facilitating professional development opportunities for 18-to-24 year-old Latinos and helping students gain leadership skills required for midlevel positions in both the non-profit and for-profit sectors.
  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)CHCI will invest in planning and capacity to build scalable and sustainable models to prepare for dynamic population growth and need associated with the prediction that Latinos will comprise one-quarter of the U.S. population by 2030.
  • United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (USHLI) – USHLI will develop a school-based project for economically disadvantaged students attending underserved schools and engaging the community in four predominantly Latino communities Prominent Latino experts in STEM-related fields from similarly disadvantaged backgrounds will help promote a greater understanding of STEM-related studies, practical uses and employment/career opportunities.
  • Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) HACR will focus on the HACR STEM Initiative, a forum of business sessions focusing on education, recruitment, retention, and Latinas in STEM, among others. The HACR STEM Initiative was created to understand the mechanisms that lead to lower participation in STEM fields for Hispanics and to identify barriers to successful career progression for those Hispanics in the STEM pipeline.
  • SER National – SER National will focus on an early education model designed to respond to the unique needs of young linguistically and culturally diverse youth and their families. The primary goal is to advance early development and dual language learning of young children, preparing them for achievement in school, higher learning, economic well-being and participation in civil society.

Additional Hispanic organizations receiving funding include:

  • American GI Forum (AGIF)
  • ASPIRA
  • Cuban American National Council, Nurturing Hispanic Communities (CNC)
  • Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI)
  • Great Minds in Stem (GMiS), formerly known as Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation (HENAAC)
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU)
  • Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF)
  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
  • Latin Americans for Social & Economic Development (LA SED)
  • LULAC National Education Service Centers (LNESC)
  • MANA, A National Latina Organization
  • National Puerto Rican Coalition (NPRC)
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

“We thank GM for its longstanding commitment to the Hispanic community,” said HACR President and CEO Cid D. Wilson. “This funding will help provide STEM-related programming, as well as professional development opportunities for Latinos in corporate America competing in a dynamic and changing workforce.”