Ten who are making a big difference for us all – Chicago Latino List 2009
“Way more than 600 Words by Esther J. Cepeda”
Long story short: nearly every time there’s any sort of Who’s Who/Mover-Shaker/One-to-Watch list in “mainstream” publications there are few, if any, Hispanics on it despite there being a ton of awesome Latinos doing truly amazing things here in Chicago.
So, in order to help blunt this perceived shortage of Latino superstars I decided to start one.
I asked for nominations, got about 120, threw out the “usual suspects” – like elected officials and already well-publicized business and community leaders – narrowed the field to get a diverse group of immigrants, U.S.-born, younger, older, community, and business types, then did one-on-one interviews.
At the conclusion, I found five men and five women all dedicating their personal and professional excellence to making Chicago, Illinois, the U.S. – and sometimes the world – a better place.
Let me say it again: these people are not merely engaged in the noble task of empowering the Hispanic community, they have their sights set on making life better for blacks, whites, multi-ethnics, rurals, suburbans, urbans, immigrants, U.S.-born, and everyone in between.
And, yeah, these rock stars just happen to be Hispanic.
Please join me in getting your inspiration on as you read the stories of the ten incredible people who comprise the first annual “Chicago Latino List.”
Please click on this link to read the full column which will then allow you to look at each of the ten honorees at a glance and go directly to their profile:
Before you read on about the first annual "Chicago Latino List," thanks to the following sponsors:
The Chicago Sinfonietta who's providing two tickets to each Honoree to see Mexico City-born Alondra de la Parra's Chicago debut next March 2010.
the Chicago White Sox who are providing two tickets to each Honoree for a game and as it turned out, the group was treated to the 7/23/09 game where Mark Buehrle threw his perfect game!
Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is providing $100 gift cards to each Honoree
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Did you read my column Trippin’ the light Hispanic: Introducing "Chicago Latino List 2009" about being fed up with Latinos always being left out of mainstream publications’ "Who’s Who" lists? An excerpt:
"In order to help blunt this perceived shortage of Latino superstars I’m taking action.
Despite there being, in my mind, a ton of awesome Hispanic people doing truly amazing things here in Chicago, there seems to be no "official" list that mainstream publications can refer to when trying to find great Hispanic candidates to be profiled as Who’s Who/Mover-Shaker/Rising Star/One-to-Watch in "mainstream" publications.
So, I’m starting one.
On June 24, I will publish the first annual compilation of my top 10 picks of totally awesome Hispanic Chicagoans making this world a better place through personal or professional excellence, and I’m calling it "Chicago Latino List 2009"
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