Washington, DC – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced the 28th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards will take place on September 17, 2015, at the historical Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.  The 2015 Hispanic Heritage Award Honorees will be announced in the spring. The Awards will recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Hispanics and celebrate Hispanic cultural pride in America. For a video of last year’s celebration which was broadcast on PBS, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_EOQNu1zCM). Sponsorship opportunities are available: contact Belen Marquina at Belen@HispanicHeritage.org for information.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is proud to be able to honor yet another inspiring group of Latino leaders with our prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “The Hispanic community has made significant contributions throughout history, and we are proud to recognize that impact.  Beyond celebrating our past success, we are focused on the future.  Now more than ever, Latinos will play a vital role in moving America forward and this year’s Honorees will carry on the rich tradition of past recipients.” 

The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to commemorate the creation of Hispanic Heritage Month in America.  Since that time, the Hispanic Heritage Awards are considered among the highest honors for Hispanics by Hispanics. Categories for the 2015 Awards include Arts, Vision, Legend, Sports, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Leadership, Education, Inspira and more.  Top Latino performers and personalities will pay tribute to the Honorees from the stage. 

The Awards are unique in that celebrities take the stage along with educators, innovators, community and business leaders, elected officials, and others. The Awards are supported by nearly 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions who co-host the program.  Surrounding events include an Honorees Dinner, Youth Leadership Summit and festive After-Party.

Past Honorees include: Anthony Quinn, Alejandro Sanz, Ricky Martin, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Placido Domingo, Isabel Allende, Juan Luis Guerra, Zoe Saldana, Juanes, US Reps Ileana Ros Lehtinen, Xavier Becerra, and Ruben Hinojosa, Oscar de la Hoya, Mana, Rosario Dawson, Los Tigres Del Norte, America Ferrera, Olga Tañon, Eva Longoria, Antonio Banderas, Pepe Aguilar, Carlos Vives, and Rita Moreno, to name a few.

The Awards serve as a launch of HHF’s year-round award-winning programs which inspire, identify, prepare and position Latino leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities in the STEM, finance, education, media, and innovation fields.  HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  For more information on the year-round, high-impact programs and work of HHF, including the Hispanic Heritage Awards, visit www.hispanicheritage.org.