Washington, DC - The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced that the 30^th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards will take place on September 14, 2017, at the historic Warner Theatre in Washington, DC.  The 2017 Hispanic Heritage Award Honorees will be announced throughout the year leading up to Hispanic Heritage Month. The Awards recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Hispanic leaders in various categories while celebrating cultural pride and the great promise to America.  Sponsorship opportunities are available.

“More than ever, we believe it is critical to highlight the tremendous value Latinos provide the United States,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “Our Honorees will once again demonstrate the vision, commitment and impact that makes our community an important part of the American experience.  For 30 years now, the Hispanic Heritage Awards have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with great pride, purpose and passion.  We look forward to the best year ever.”  

The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established in 1987 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. 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 Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the Fania All-Stars, Junot Diaz, 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 and Xavier Becerra, Oscar de la Hoya, Rosario Dawson, Los Tigres Del Norte, America Ferrera, Angelica Maria, Olga Tañon, Pedro Martinez, Jose Feliciano, Arturo Sandoval, 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.  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.