In this issue:
Come join NHMC at the 2nd annual MediaCon taking place on June 20 in Pasadena, CA. MediaCon convenes industry executives, celebrity talent and media insiders to discuss trends and emerging issues in the entertainment and media industry and the role Latinos are playing in the future.
You won’t want to miss out on this information filled one day conference that will bring you thought-provoking panels such as the Opening Plenary: State of Latinos in Media where you will hear from media executives and advocates discuss Latinos in film, tv and digital media; followed by the morning session which will discuss creating content and the alternative channels of distribution and monetizing through our Web Content: Creating, Monetizing and Distribution panel, as well as understanding how agents and managers are the real power brokers in Hollywood during the Power Brokers: Hollywood Agents and Managers. The afternoon sessions will include the back by popular demandEmpowering Latinas in Entertainment panel where Ivette Rodriguez will once again have three successful Latinas working in the industry discuss their journeys, tribulations and inspirations; as well as Advertisers: Courting the Latino Consumer where panelists will discuss the Latino buying power and how much is really being spent on gaining the Latino consumer; and finally a panel that will host some of the most successful executive producers in television, Running the Show – on TV, where they will discuss their journey to one of the most coveted and demanding jobs on television.
Last year MediaCon welcomed worldwide pioneer and entertainment industry leader Haim Saban, Chairman and CEO of the Saban Capital Group as the keynote speaker during the luncheon, NHMC will continue the tradition of bringing leaders in entertainment to speak during this keynote address and will make an announcement soon.
To see the list of confirmed speakers please visit:https://nhmc.org/content/speakers
Register by today, May 31 and you will be entered into a raffle to win one free registration!
Drop the I-word Campaign
April was a busy month for the Drop the I-word Campaign. On April 2, the NHMC joined in the celebrations from around the nation that resulted from the Associated Press‘ (AP) historic decision to drop the i-word. The AP announced that it no longer sanctioned the word “illegal” to describe people. Immediately following this announcement USA Today, the second largest newspaper in the country, made a similar announcement.
The following week, exhilarated by the AP victory the Drop the I-Word core group members traveled from around the country to come together for the campaign’s first face-to-face meeting. Around the table were representatives from Applied Research Center, Define American, Presente, Cuentame.org, GLAAD, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and NHMC. Moveon.org was unable to participate.
In April, NHMC’s Vice President of Policy & Legal Affairs, Jessica Gonzalez, testified before the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. Jessica advocated for retention of Lifeline, a vital service that helps poor Americans maintain telephone connections. Jessica shared stories of the very real people that have used Lifeline to enhance their educations, find jobs, access health and safety information, stay connected with their families and call 9-1-1 during emergencies. You can read Jessica’s testimony here, or you can watch her five minute testimony at about 31 ½ minutes into this video.The NHMC headquarters looks forward to welcoming Cali born and raised Jessica Gonzalez to its Pasadena office. She will continue to head the policy shop and work closely with NHMC’s Policy Counsel, Michael Scurato who remains in Washington, D.C.
On April 23, members of the National Latino Media Council (NLMC)met with representatives of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences to discuss ways in which to increase Latino representation amongst members of the Academy. The meeting was requested by members of the NLMC after an outcry from the Latino community arose regarding Lupe Ontiveros’ exclusion from the Oscars ‘In Memoriam’ segment, and a desire to discuss its concern about the lack of diversity in the Academy’s membership. In 2012, the Los Angeles 
Times published an article on the lack of diversity at the Academy, which mirrors the industry at large. It found that Oscar voters are nearly 94% white and 77% male; blacks are 2% of the membership and Latinos less than 2%.
Representing the Academy were Chief Executive Officer Dawn Hudson, President Hawk Koch and Managing Director of Communications Jasmine Madatian. Congressman Esteban Torres (Ret.) led the NLMC delegation with representatives from Latino Literacy Now, the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, the National Association of Latino Independent Producers, the National Hispanic Media Coalition, and Nosotros. NLMC is working on building a list of qualified U.S. Latinos that the Academy can invite to become members. The Academy will ultimately decide who they invite.
Congrats to NLMC/NHMC Writers Program Alum Zoila Galeano on getting staffed to write on ABC Family’s new original series The Fosters! The Fosters is a compelling, one-hour drama about a multi-ethnic family mix of foster and biological kids being raised by two moms. Check out the preview on Facebook. Tune in Monday, June 3 at 9/8c for the series premier.
Congrats to Former NHMC Legal Intern Brenda Villanueva
Former NHMC Legal Intern, Brenda Villanueva, is the recipient of the Federal Communications Bar Association Foundation Robert E. Lee Scholarship and Internship Fund. She will be working as a legal intern this summer in FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s office. Congratulations, Brenda V.!
NHMC at NCMR in Denver
In April, NHMC traveled to Denver to participate in Free Press’ National Conference for Media Reform. NHMC’s President & CEO, Alex Nogales, delivered an inspiring speech at the keynote address detailing the progress we have made towards eradicating hate speech and forecasting the work ahead. NHMC’s policy team also participated in the conference, with Jessica Gonzalez speaking on a panel about the future of internet policy, and Michael Scurato presenting data from NHMC’s studies and polling on the impact of hate speech and stereotyping in the media. Watch Alex’s 5 minute address, 23 minutes into this video.
Organizations Now Have an Opportunity to Own a Radio Station!
In October 2013, nonprofits, labor unions, schools, and community groups will have a historic opportunity to apply for free licenses to build and operate FM community radio stations nationwide. For more information, click here or call NHMC headquarters at 626-792-6462. We can help!
NHMC Gives a Big Thanks to ALAC
In April, the Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center (ALAC) hosted NHMC for its Latino Experts Reception and media training in Phoenix, Arizona. ALAC illuminates, celebrates, and promotes Latinos in Arizona through education, advocacy, and collaboration. Support ALAC today by visiting www.alacaz.org.
