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Hispanic Heritage Foundation to honor Roberto Clemente posthumously during 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center on September 5

Hispanic Heritage Foundation

WASHINGTON D.C.  – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced that Baseball and Humanitarian Legend Roberto Clemente will be honored posthumously during the 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards (HHAs) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Opera House on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The ceremony will air on Friday, September 27 at 10:00PM ET/9:00 PM CT on PBS and available on PBS.org and PBS video app during the Hispanic Heritage Month. Clemente will be the first posthumous Honoree in the history of the Awards.

In addition to the Clemente honor, the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Awardees announced so far include, Designer Carolina Herrera, Beautyblender Creator Rea Ann Silva, and NBA Legend Carmelo Anthony.  Stay tuned for more Honoree, performer, and host announcements. (See HERE for a visual presentation about HHAs.)

The HHAs, supported by 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions, were established by The White House in 1988 to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America and broadcast on PBS. The Awards are often referred to as “America’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration.”

“Roberto Clemente was my childhood and forever my hero, so this is a special moment for me and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation,” said Antonio Tijerino, HHF President and CEO. “We look forward to highlighting not just Clemente’s impact on baseball but his impact as a humanitarian and civil rights leader. His legacy continues through the work of his sons and the Roberto Clemente Foundation.”

Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker, born on August 18, 1934, in Barrio San Antón, Carolina, Puerto Rico, is celebrated as one of the greatest athletes and humanitarians of the 20th century. His journey from the son of a laundress and a sugarcane laborer to a two-time World Series champion symbolizes the strength, perseverance, and honor of not only the Puerto Rican people but also of Latin America.

Clemente, who played 18 seasons in the MLB for the Pittsburgh Pirates, made history as the first Latin American player to compile 3,000 hits in MLB history. His posthumous induction into the Hall of Fame in 1973 marked him as the first Caribbean and Latin-American player to receive this honor. Also in 1973, the Commissioner’s Award, a prestigious recognition in MLB, was renamed the Roberto Clemente Award. This honor is awarded annually during the World Series to a player who demonstrates exceptional baseball skills and active participation in community service.

“Receiving this award in honor of Roberto Clemente is not just a recognition of his achievements, but a reminder of the impact one individual can have on the world. Our Father’s legacy as an athlete, humanitarian, and civil rights leader inspires us to continue striving for excellence for all that we do. We are  humbled and grateful to be with such a remarkable list past and future honorees,” said Roberto Clemente Jr.

Clemente’s illustrious career began with the Puerto Rican Professional Baseball League at the tender age of 17. His numerous awards and achievements include National League (NL) MVP Award (1966), NL Player of the Month Award (1960 1967,1969), World Series MVP Award (1971), NL Gold Glove Award (1961–1972), Commissioner’s Historic Achievement Award (2006), NL All-Star (1960–1967, 1969–1972), NL leader in batting average (1961, 1964, 1965, 1967), NL leader in hits (1964, 1967), NL leader in triples  (1969), NL leader in putouts as right fielder (1958, 1961, 1966), NL leader in fielding average as right fielder and outfielder (1972).

Clemente’s remarkable contributions to baseball were also recognized when he was elected to the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015. He was also inducted into the United States Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. In addition to his baseball accolades, Clemente has been honored with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Visit https://robertoclemente.com/roberto-clemente-foundation/ learn about the Roberto Clemente Foundation.

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF)

The Hispanic Heritage Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round mission, focused on education, workforce, social impact, and culture through the lens of leadership.  HHF is a national nonprofit organization. For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org and follow the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on InstagramFacebookX, and TikTok.  Listen to the HHF podcast Fritanga on your favorite streaming service and HHF YouTube channel.

For more information on the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards, please contact John Reilly, jreilly@jrprmusic.com or Nicolás Peña, nicolas@hispanicheritage.org

For Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact Jessica Herrera Jessica@HispanicHeritage.org.

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