Press Release updated on August 5, 2026
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – For the first time, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) will move the historic Hispanic Heritage Awards out of Washington, DC, to Minneapolis in order to honor the People of Minnesota with the Humanitarian Award. The Awards will take place at Orchestra Hall on September 10, 2026. (See HERE for a visual presentation.) Sponsorship opportunities are available to support the Awards and HHF’s mission.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered among the highest honors for Latinos by Latinos and have traditionally been broadcast and streamed on PBS. (Watch highlights from last year’s awards HERE.) The Awards were established by the White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and are recognized as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration” and supported by more than 40 national, Latino-serving institutions. This will be the first time the Hispanic Heritage Awards will be held outside of the Nation’s Capital in their history.
“The people of Minnesota are being recognized for their collective strength, resilience, compassion, and action in crisis while fomenting unity among all communities,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “Their story is an American Story of what this country stands for and is capable of in terms of coming together to take care and lift each other. We look forward to honoring the great leadership and the people of Minnesota, along with our other 2026 awardees.”
In addition to the Awards, HHF will host several program activations in partnership with local organizations to support their missions during the week of September 7–11, including ‘Next Steps in Your Professional & Academic Paths’, ‘Rooted Together Charla,’ as well as unifying local and national leadership, corporate partners and other members of the community for interactive convenings surrounding the big ceremony.
Past Awardees have included: Rita Moreno, Gloria Estefan, Bad Bunny, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Ricky Martin, Fania All-Stars, Junot Diaz, José Feliciano, Isabel Allende, Carolina Herrera, Jose Andres, Carlos Vives, Alejandro Sanz, Juanes, Antonio Banderas, Juan Luis Guerra, Anthony Quinn, J Balvin, Zoe Saldaña, Los Tigres Del Norte, Oscar de la Hoya, America Ferrera, Pedro Martinez, Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa, Gael Garcia Bernal, Carlos Santana, Salma Hayek, Linda Ronstadt, Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon, and many others. Find all past HHA Honorees HERE.
About the Hispanic Heritage Awards
The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on economic mobility, stronger communities, positive narratives and cultural pride through education, workforce development, societal impact, entrepreneurship, and leadership. Visit https://hhflink.org/WeAreHere for a video highlighting HHF’s award winning programs and visit the website at www.HispanicHeritage.org.
Follow HHF on Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.
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For more information on the 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards, please contact John Reilly, [email protected] or Nicolás Peña, [email protected]
For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Jessica Herrera [email protected]
