International Latino Book Awards

The 21st International Latino Book Awards Finalists: 

The Books Keep Getting Better

By Kirk Whisler

  The Int’l Latino Book Awards is a major reflection that the fastest growing group in the USA has truly arrived. The Awards are now by far the largest Latino cultural Awards in the USA and with the 257 finalists this year in 95 categories, it has now honored the greatness of 2,893 authors and publishers over the past two decades. The size of the Awards is proof that books by and about Latinos are in high demand. In 2019 Latinos will purchase over $725 million in books in English and Spanish. 

    The 2019 Finalists for the 21st Annual Int’l Latino Book Awards are another reflection of the growing quality of books by and about Latinos. About a third of the winners were from major U.S. and int’l publishers, a third from medium sized publishing houses, and a third were from small publishing houses or even self published. In order to handle this large number of books, the Awards had 227 judges in 2019. The judges shared how hard it was because their are now so many great books being published. Judges included librarians, educators, media professionals, leaders of national organizations, Pulitzer Prize Winners, and even elected officials. The Awards celebrates books in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Finalists are from across the USA and Puerto Rico, as well as from 18 countries outside the USA. 

    The Awards are produced by Latino Literacy Now, a nonprofit organization co-founded in 1997 by Edward James Olmos and Kirk Whisler. Other Latino Literacy Now programs include the upcoming Latino Book & Family Festival at MiraCosta College in Oceanside will be our 67th. The Int’l Society of Latino Authors now has 140+ members. Education Begins in the Home has impacted literacy for 100,000+ people. More than 70 episodes of the Latino Reads Podcast have now aired. The Award Winning Author Tour has 10+ events around the USA in the coming year. Latino Literacy Now’s programs have now touched well over a million people. Over 350 volunteers will donate 14,000+ hours of service this year. 

    The Awards Cermony will be held September 21, 2019 in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles City College. Past sponsors have included AALES, the American Library Association, Atria Publishing, Book Expo America,  the California State University System, California State University Dominguez Hills, California State University San Bernardino, Entravision, Las Comadres de las Americas, Libros Publishing, the Los Angeles Community College District, MAOF, MiraCosta College, the Piping Industry Progress & Education Trust Fund, REFORMA, Scholastic Books, and Visa. 



    Click here for a list of the finalists

Lowriders

 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Lowriders
Visitors will get a taste of New Mexico's rich culture right when they step off the plane. The airport's new art exhibit includes custom lowrider cars, motorcycles, and bikes located in the concourse.

The Sunport's art curator worked with the New Mexico History Museum to assemble the collection. Photographs dating back more than 40 years were also gathered.

Each lowrider was made right here in New Mexico. The city hopes to highlight lowrider culture beyond stigmas and stereotypes. "I think it exposes people to a chance to look at these amazing machines up close. Typically, the only time you see them is when they go zooming past you on the freeway," traveler Wes Hall said.

Officials say only the Smithsonian and the Louvre have hosted an exhibit like this before.

After-school suppers target child hunger

Albuquerque Journal

After-school suppers target child hunger

By May Sagbakken / Executive Director, New Mexico Out-of-school Time Network, Kaski Suzuki / Meals Vista, New Mexico Out-of-school Time Network, And Elisa Morales / Healthy Kids Director, United Way Of El Paso County

Data shows that one in every four children throughout New Mexico are food insecure – that’s approximately 130,000 children who are unsure where their next meal is coming from.
Breaks from school and out-of-school time present challenges for many families with low income who rely on meals provided at school. This is a serious issue – children require good nutrition for optimal growth and development, readiness to learn and school performance. When it comes to hunger, even when we control for the effects of factors correlated with poverty, food-insecure children are more likely than food-secure children to face health problems such as anemia, lower nutrient intake, cognitive problems and so on.  Read more...

NM Latina Disney Princess Fashion Show

Riverfest Fashion Show

Miss NM Teen Latina and Miss Latinita Teen and royalty recycle, reduce and reuse materials from baby birthday parties, Hawaiian Day for the Riverfest celebration on Memorial Day.

Teen from Piedra Vista High School along with Miss Latinas gathered at the Earth Day makerspace at the Farmington Public Library Teen Zone workspace, to start their fashions for the fashion show.