Hispanic Public Relations Association to honor Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s Antonio Tijerino at the 2023 ¡Bravo! Awards

Additional honorees include journalist and author Alicia Menendez and Omnicom CCN Chief DEI Officer Soon Mee Kim for their contributions in increasing representation and positive narratives of minorities in the media and communications industries.

MIAMI, FL –  The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) will honor Hispanic Heritage Foundation President and CEO Antonio Tijerino with the ¡BRAVO! Pioneer Awards in Chicago on October 12, 2023.  Joining Tijerino will be Host of MSNBC’s American Voices and Latina to Latina podcast, and Author Alicia Menendez, as Journalist of the Year; and Omnicom Communications Consultancy Network Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer Soon Mee Kim, as DEI Person of the Year.

“This year’s honorees have shown an unwavering dedication, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to breaking barriers and shifting the paradigm for multicultural communities across the United States,” said HPRA President Sonia V. Diaz. “They are extraordinary individuals who are at the forefront, paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future, uplifting and empowering communities, and creating a more culturally diverse world. We are proud to honor them as change agents and beacons of light for our communities.”

The 2023 HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards celebrate excellence in multicultural storytelling in public relations and marketing while advancing positive narratives about Hispanics/Latinos in the United States. This year’s ¡BRAVO! Awards theme, “The Future es Nuestro,” focuses on the country’s on-going cultural shift and contributions of the Hispanic/Latino community..

“As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is imperative to recognize the profound impact that Hispanic culture has had globally over the past decade. From Bad Bunny to breakfast tacos, our rich tapestry of traditions, languages, and perspectives has captivated hearts and minds worldwide, bridging gaps and fostering unity across cultures,” added Diaz.

Honorees for the 2023 National ¡BRAVO! Awards were nominated and chosen collectively by HPRA executive leadership and its board of directors. The honorees were selected for their pivotal work in shaping the industry and establishing progress for Hispanic and multicultural consumer segments in public relations, media, and communications.

Of Nicaraguan and Paraguayan descent, Antonio Tijerino has championed inclusion and advancement for Latinos in education, workforce, social justice, and culture. An innovator and disruptor, Tijerino broadened the mission of HHF to encompass bridging the digital divide, which he considers one of the biggest equality issues of our time. He also has adapted to new platforms to reach audiences, especially youth, by partnering with Minecraft to create the first-ever, Latino-themed Minecraft game LatinExplorers: A Hispanic Heritage Journey, which was played by millions of children around the world in 30 different languages who learned about Latino culture and impact. As host of the Fritanga podcast, Tijerino provides audiences with Latinx perspectives, ideas, experiences and inspiration.  In addition, he executive produces the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center and PBS broadcast.  Under his charge, 100,000 youth have been taught to code and thousands of adults have been provided with opportunities in the STEM, media and other industries.  He believes access to workforce and educational opportunities are the fastest way to economic mobility and building generational wealth.

As a bold advocate of DEI, he prioritizes addressing issues of racism, homophobia, sexism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and ableism not just outside of, but within the Latino community. Tijerino has also led efforts in supporting migrants from Latin America to the border and into our communities.  HHF’s Charlas have given a voice to thousands of Latinos on various issues in keeping with his motto that he “follows the community, it’s not the other way around.”  HHF’s programs have been designed to be adaptable to the needs, wants and ideas of the community, as he says, “inspiration is everywhere, you just need to be open to be inspired.”

Under his leadership, HHF has been recognized for his unique approach to impact through his “malleable mission” by The White House, U.S. Congress, Fortune 500 companies, and the government of Mexico. Tijerino serves on numerous boards and has founded various projects supporting underrepresented communities in justice, expression, and opportunity.  Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org for more information.

For more information about the HPRA ¡BRAVO! Awards’ program and sponsorship opportunities, visit: https://hprausa.org/bravo/.

About the HPRA ¡BRAVO! Awards

Established in 2014, the HPRA National ¡BRAVO! Awards celebrate the best corporate, agency, and non-profit public relations and marketing teams, and the stellar work they produce in the industry’s multicultural space. Additionally, every year, HPRA honors individuals in media and communications who are making an impact in their respective careers while advancing representation of multicultural and Hispanic communities throughout the country.

About the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA)

Founded in 1984, the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) is the foremost organization of Hispanic public relations practitioners in the U.S. HPRA is a resource for communications professionals and for individuals seeking Hispanic market expertise. It is dedicated to the recognition and advancement of Hispanics in public relations through year-round programs, professional development seminars and networking. HPRA hosts one of the most anticipated annual events and industry awards: the HPRA Bravo Awards, recognizing the most outstanding campaigns in the marketplace. The national organization aims to meet the professional needs of the growing number of Hispanic PR practitioners, independents and agencies throughout the U.S. HPRA National, its Chapters and those Chapters in formation are paving the way for the next phase of growth and evolution in the PR industry, especially in the Hispanic market space. For more information, please visit www.hpra-usa.org.