When Ayala started working at ABC News more than 20 years ago, he was the only Latino in the newsroom. Countless news assignments, dozens of awards and a teaching career later, the veteran producer turned college professor is an inspiration for the next generation of journalists of color. Today, Ayala, 43, is an award-winning news producer and an assistant professor at California State University, Long Beach.
Category: Representation
Posted inRepresentation
Arianna Lemus, rising LA actress, creates film festival to help others
Growing up, Lemus was a big fan of early 2000s sitcoms on Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. She enjoyed watching actresses like Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, and Miley Cyrus and wanted to be an actress like them. Lemus envisioned herself as an actress in films and television shows, but she could not pursue her ambitions due to her parent’s divorce and her responsibilities as the oldest sibling. Now, in 2023, Lemus is releasing her first short film, “Red Flags,” written and produced by her and her production company, MiraLA, and presented at Lemus’ own film festival.
Posted inRepresentation
ANA FLORES, founder of #WeAllGrow Latina, supporting Femme-Latines
#WeAllGrow Latina is a Los Angeles-based, lifestyle community of Latinas and Femme-Latines, who make up more than 2 million businesses in the United States, according to the National Women’s Business Council. Members of #WeAllGrow not only support and inspire one another, but uplift each other to create social and economic impact. “We are living as a community-driven platform that provides Latina and Femme-Latines with access to resources and relationships for professional growth,” said Flores, the founder and Co-CEO of #WeAllGrow.
Posted inRepresentation
Anaheim Marketplace hosted free weddings for 12 lucky couples
The Anaheim Marketplace was established in 1990 with only 20 stores. Today, it is the largest indoor swap meet in Orange County, with about 200 stores and vendors. The marketplace was designed to immerse the shoppers and vendors in a shopping experience that made them feel like they were walking through Mexico. The Anaheim Marketplace is the heart of the community and is popular among Latinos, in part for an event called “Bodas Comunitarias” or “Community Weddings.” 20 couples will be selected. To sign up, couples simply had to visit the Anaheim Marketplace by February 5.
Posted inEquity
Latino Media Collaborative wins leadership award from CNPA
On February 2nd, the Latino Media Collaborative, which publishes CALÓ NEWS, was presented with a leadership award by the California News Publishers Association for work supporting the mission of the California News Publishers Association (CNPA) to protect and serve the common interests of news media in California through advocacy in Sacramento. “This award is a testament to the power of the collaborative and of the equity in journalism and communications that we can achieve when we work together to advance a greater good,” said Arturo Carmona, President of the Latino Media Collaborative.
Posted inRepresentation
JOSEPH RINCON, social media influencer fights Chicano stigmas
Rincon was originally a photographer who has now taken up modeling for Chicano brands as a freelancer. As a proud Chicano, Rincon showcases his culture and style by educating other Brown people on social media and breaking down stereotypes in the Chicano community. He currently has 63,000 Instagram followers and 125,000 followers on TikTok.
Posted inNews
EL NAYARIT, former Echo Park eatery, hub for undocumented, queer Latinos
In 1922, Natalia Barraza immigrated to the United States alone. In 1922, Natalia Barraza immigrated to the United States alone. She had grown up in Tecuala, a small town in Nayarit, Mexico. Although she immigrated not being able to write, read, or speak English, Barraza opened up El Nayarit, a Mexican restaurant formerly located in the Echo Park community Los Angeles. With time, the restaurant became a well-established community hub for immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and women.
Posted inNews
FÉI HERNANDEZ, Inglewood visual artist has a message for the world
For the past 15 years, Inglewood-based visual artist Hernandez has used their art as a way to not only express their individuality but also advocate for the communities that are important to them, such as the LGBTQ community, people of color, and Latinos.
Posted inEquity
THOMAS A. SAENZ, MALDEF president and general counsel on Latino leadership
Currently, the LA City Council consists of 14 council member: three Blacks, two Asian-Americans, four Whites, one Armenian-American, and four Latinos. District 6 is currently vacant after the resignation of Nury Martinez. Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense Education Fund shares how common it is for Latinos to face under-representation when it comes to positions of leadership in LA.
Posted inBusiness
NEEMS JEANS, a sustainable and Latinx couple-owned customizable jeans brand
Knowing how important jeans are too many people and hoping to make the buying experience a million times better, Daniela Rodriguez, CEO, and Andre Ramirez, co-founder, founded Neems Jeans in March 2020. Neems Jeans is a Los Angeles-based, custom-made jeans brand, with two important values: to create jeans that are sustainable and environmentally friendly and to be inclusive and create pieces that fit people’s unique body types.
Posted inRepresentation
JORGE NUÑO, political activist on what needs to be done about LA scandal
During the 1980s and 90s, Nuño grew up in a house nestled near Vernon and Main street in South Central Los Angeles with his sister and their two immigrant parents from Jalisco, Mexico. “I grew up adjacent to the [LA] Coliseum,” Nuño said. “When you grew up in the hood, you’re like, ‘Where you live?’ ‘Ah, I live by the Coliseum,’ so that you can give people some context of what part of LA you live in.” Nuño founded The Big House, a small business incubator housed in the 10-bedroom mansion that Nuño purchased in South Central, where nonprofits can have physical offices in their community.
Posted inOpinion
Wakanda Forever elevates Black and Brown superheroes
Tenoch Huerta Mejía is vocal critic of racism, colorism and supporter of Brown pride, the title of his newly released book, “Orgullo Prieto.”