In Her Corner on CNN September 25

"In Her Corner: Latino in America 2" airs on CNN on Sunday, September 25.

In this documentary, we see women compete in the last male-only Olympic sport, boxing.  Soledad O'Brien follows one Olympic hopeful.

CNN's Latino in America Part 2

 According to several posts by Soledad O'Brien on her Facebook page, CNN's Latino in America Part 2 will air in October.

You can follow CNN's Latino in America on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CNNLatinoinAmerica.

The first installment of Latino in America aired on CNN in October 2009.

Soledad's Column in Latina Magazine

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O’Brien has joined Latina magazine as a contributing editor with a quarterly magazine column highlighting the social and cultural issues affecting Latinos.

Her new column, Beyond the Numbers, debuts in the June-July 2011 issue.

Her first column explores education in the United States and profiles Maria Castro, a brilliant young Latina student who is smart, talented and ambitious - but still finds the educational system is failing her.

“To get into a good university,” she tells me earnestly, “I have to have taken—at a minimum—calculus.” Maria’s sights are set very high. Her first choice college is Stanford. “She’s an exemplary student. I am very proud,” her mother tells me in Spanish as I sit on the Castro front porch.

Although Latino students make up one-fifth of the school-age population in America and will be 30 percent of the national adult population by 2050, 2011only half of Maria’s Latino peers graduate on time. At her school, half of the students don’t pass Arizona’s proficiency exams, which means they don’t meet the bar for basic knowledge in math, reading and science."

Soledad, herself a Harvard graduate, most recently completed the CNN documentary Don’t Fail Me: Education in America which first aired May 15.

Soledad and Dr. Sanjay Gupta at LFA Awards (2009)

National LFA spokesperson Mercedes Yvette with honoree Dr. Sanjay Gupta and
Soledad O'Brien of CNN (2009) at the Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) annual awards dinner,
May 2009 in Washington, D.C. 

The event celebrated and honored survivors, advocates and champions of lupus research and awareness, including those living with the disease, such as Mercedes Yvette, 2004 runner up on America’s Next Top Model.

Soledad O'Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent, served as the master of ceremonies for the gala, whose honorees included her CNN colleague Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent for CNN who received the Leadership in National Health Education Award.

The foundation also launched a new public awareness campaign directed towards women most at risk for developing the autoimmune disease – young women of childbearing age with a special focus on minority women, particularly African American, Latino, Asian and Native Americans.

Soledad and Edward Olmos

Soledad interviews Edward James Olmos

In 1999, the Smithsonian Institution partnered with Edward James Olmos and TimeWarner to produce Americanos: Latino Life in the United States, a multimedia project that attempted to suture the diversity of the Latino experience with a diverse America.

Celebratory and largely apolitical, Americanos stood as a major effort to intervene in dominant regimes of representation characterized by demeaning stereotypes and moral panics and to present Latinos to non-Latino audiences in a positive fashion.

The project included a traveling exhibit, HBO documentary, and glossy photography book.

Soledad O'Brien interviewed Olmos for her Latino In America documentary.

  

Soledad O'Brien Will Host CHCI Annual Awards Gala

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic non-profit and non-partisan leadership development organization in the country.

CHCI announced September 12-15, 2010, as the dates for its 2010 Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in Washington, D.C. with the theme "Celebrating History, Heritage and the American Dream."

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien will celebrity host the 33rd Annual Awards Gala on September 15, 2010. O'Brien is a recipient of CHCI's 2009 Medallion of Excellence Award for Leadership and Community Service.

CHCI hosts the nation's premier events commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month, which draws over 3,000 Latino leaders from across the country to its Public Policy Conference, Reyes of Comedy Night, and Annual Awards Gala.

"This year's theme reflects the historical contributions of Latinos in the United States as we join the celebration of Latin American landmark independence anniversaries all over the hemisphere and the 400 year anniversary of the founding of the city of Santa Fe," said Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez, CHCI Chair.

"Our theme also embodies the Latino community's embrace of the American Dream and its commitment to the success of this great nation. We expect a huge turnout this year to hear from members of Congress, Cabinet secretaries, and other national leaders on how the Latino community will play an integral role in leading this nation forward in the 21st century."

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 - October 15. For CHCI, it also represents an opportunity to highlight its competitive and nationally acclaimed Latino youth leadership development programs, including two fellowship programs, a congressional internship program, scholarship awards, and a college readiness program, Ready to Lead (R2L) for high school students.

Soledad O'Brien at NALIP

Soledad O'Brien will be speaking at NALIP's (National Association of Latino Independent Producers ) 11th national conference, set for April 9 - 11, 2010 in Santa Monica, California.

NALIP 2010: NAVIGATING IN A SEA OF CHANGE is presented by HBO, Time Warner and the National Latino Media Council. This year showcases what is actually working right now for writers and directors, performers and producers: What genres? What funding strategies? What distribution plans to deliver real revenues? And what partnerships in a wild and confusing sea of possibilities?

Soledad's most recent project, Latino in America, was a wide-ranging look at Latinos living in this country, how they’re reshaping America, and how America is reshaping them. Previously, she reported for Black in America 2, a four-hour documentary series focusing on successful community leaders improving the lives of African-Americans. She has also reported for the CNN documentary Words That Changed a Nation, featuring a never-before-seen look at Dr. King’s private writings and notes, and investigated his assassination in Eyewitness to Murder: The King Assassination. Her Children of the Storm project and One Crime at a Time documentary demonstrate her continued commitment to covering stories out of New Orleans.

Soledad’s many recognitions include part of the coverage teams that earned a George Foster Peabody award for its Katrina coverage, and an Alfred I. duPont Award for its coverage of the Thailand tsunami. She received the 2009 Medallion of Excellence for Leadership and Community Service Award from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. In 2008 she was the first recipient of the Soledad O’Brien Freedom’s Voice Award for being a catalyst for social change. In 2007, the NAACP honored her with its President’s Award for her humanitarian efforts and journalistic excellence.

Soledad is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. She is a graduate of Harvard University.

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Latino Commission on AIDS Gala Hosted By Soledad O'Brien

Soledad O’Brien will host the Latino Commission on AIDS’s annual benefit gala – "Cielo Latino" – to be held Tuesday, May 11, 2010.

The event marks the Commission’s 20th anniversary and will look back at the organization’s work through the years and honor the life of Dennis deLeon, founder of the Commission who passed away on December 14, 2009.

“We are thrilled that Soledad O’Brien, a powerful voice in America, will join us in this very special tribute,” said Guillermo Chacon, president of the Commission. “With the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Latino community still at a crisis level, Soledad’s support of our cause at this juncture will help us demonstrate our determination in the fight against HIV/AIDS.”

Since joining CNN in 2003 and as part of their “Best Political Team on Television,” O’Brien has reported breaking news from around the globe and has produced award-winning documentaries on some of the most important stories facing the world today. Her most recent project, Latino in America, is a wide-ranging look at Latinos living in this country, how they are reshaping America, and how America is reshaping them.

“I am honored to join the Latino Commission on AIDS in this hallmark year to pay special tribute to its work over the last two decades and highlight the impact of Dennis deLeon’s contributions,” said O’Brien. “I have covered HIV/AIDS stories many times throughout my career; the topic and our fight against the disease continues to be vitally important. I am more than happy to do my part.”

For more information visit: www.latinoaids.org or www.nlaad.org

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Latino Stories Are American Stories

"Time to Realize Latino Stories Are American Stories"
by Soledad O'Brien and Rose Marie Arce, October 20, 2009

If you want to write something, film something, sing something, produce whatever content possible for an American audience, then you must also produce content for and about Latinos.

Not to be wise-ass Latinas, with all due respect to Justice Sonia Sotomayor, but our nation has 51 million Latinos, from Pico Rivera to Puerto Rico. Half the country's new residents are Latinos, one of four children under 5, the largest minority in 20 states.

If you're not telling their story, you're not telling the American story.

That was what we wanted to accomplish with our book “Latino in America,” published by Penguin to complement our documentary of the same name, airing on CNN Oct. 21 at 9 p.m. EDT. The book builds on the documentary's reporting to give a personal perspective to write Latinos into the American story where they are often missing.

Just 6 percent of people working in TV news and 4 percent of the newspaper reporters in this country are Latinos. So it's not surprising that there is a lot of segregated news content out there, things that run only in Spanish or only target Latinos, and there is an emphasis on Latinos mired in conflict, even though that is not the way many of us live our lives.

There are some stereotypical expectations of someone with a name like Maria de la Soledad and her team (Rose Arce is co-author of the book “Latino in America” and one of several producers on the documentary).

Some folks expect us to tell the same Latino stories flavored with some authenticity. Instead we've told the stories of people with roots in 21 different countries whose Latino experience is about what happens once they've arrived.

We look at them as the Americans they are; 71% of them are U.S.-born. Our Latinos are more like America Ferrera in “Ugly Betty” rather than being cast as sidekicks like Lupe Ontiveros, who has played a maid in hundreds of movies including “As Good as It Gets.” Lupe, ironically, is one of the loudest voices on why we need to give voice to the Latino mainstream and dispense with the stereotypes and immigration conflict storylines.

You can do this, too. Shed this idea that someone is a minority in America just because they are of Hispanic descent.

We asked Eva Longoria what being Latino in America meant to her and she said: "We're ninth-generation Americans. We didn't just cross over. We're on the same land that we got in our Spanish land grant from our ancestors. We were Mexico and then the border moved and we were Texas, and then the border moved again, and we were America without ever moving."

Once you do that, Latino stories have universal impact. It's not just a Latino story that Latino teens are among those facing substandard, overcrowded schools in Los Angeles, or experiencing frightening rates of suicide attempts or pregnancies or bigotry. Nor is it only interesting to Latinos to see how Latino sport, food, music and work and family ethics are enriching U.S. culture.

Everyone has a stake in this story because it's the story of tomorrow's America. That is a story that needs to be told.

Soledad and George Lopez from Latino in America

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Soledad O'Brien Talks with My Latino Voice

Soledad O'Brien talks with "My Latino Voice" about her experiences making CNN's Latino In America.
Part 1


Part 2

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CNN Asks Are You A Garcia?

The last name, Garcia, is now the 8th most popular name in America. It's reflective of the rapid changes taking place as the largest ethnic immigrant wave takes root in the U.S.

As part of its Latino in America series (hosted by Soledad O'Brien and debuting October 21 & 22), the network asks: Are you a Garcia?

If yes, CNN wants to hear your family's story, from families with centuries-old roots in America to recent immigrants or those who are living the American dream.

You can share video and photos of your Garcia family story.

As part of its iReport.com site, viewers contribute their own reports. This is a user-generated site. That means the stories submitted by users are not edited, fact-checked or screened before they post. Only stories marked "On CNN" have been vetted for use in CNN news coverage.

Latino in America Advance Screenings

Las Vegas was one city in a tour of at least 15 cities that had advance screenings of CNN's Latino in America series that will debut on next week (October 21 and 22).

At these screenings, audience members become involved in discussions about and beyond the documentary, and hopefully start conversations about their own local issues.

Patterned after last year’s Black in America, the show is an exploration of the role of Latinos in today’s — and tomorrow’s — United States.

Latino In America, hosted by CNN personality and Black In America host Soledad O’Brien, will focus on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the pertinent issues that face the community.

According to Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer for CNN Productions, “The In America brand strand gives us the opportunity to look at groups of people in America that have been misreported or in some cases neglected by the media. We found out with Black In America that many people who watched were not only black but Hispanic as well. This is the fastest-growing minority group in America today, but we don’t understand how really diverse this group is. The show focuses on how Latinos are changing America and how America is changing Latinos.”

O'Brien to Host AdColor Awards

AdColor, a national coalition that promotes diversity in the advertising, marketing and media industries, is honoring Latino talk-show host Cristina Saralegui and 20 others in the industry at an Oct. 4 awards dinner at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa in Phoenix.

CNN anchor, Soledad O'Brien, will host the awards show.

Soledad O'Brien at the Latino Leaders Network Luncheon

Soledad O'Brien speaks at the Latino Leaders Network Luncheon, September 22, 2009.

32nd Congressional Hispanic Caucus Gala

At the 32nd Congressional Hispanic Caucus Gala, more than 2,000 celebrants filled the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month.

President Barack Obama, accompanied by First Lady Michelle Obama, joined in the celebration. "Todos somos Americanos" -- "we are all Americans," Obama said about the issues facing Hispanics.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor was commended throughout the night by several speakers, including honoree Soledad O'Brien of CNN.

Marc Anthony, with wife Jennifer Lopez by his side, received the CHCI Lifetime Achievement Award.

Also in attendance were several prominent Hispanic leaders, including Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

Soledad O'Brien to Appear at ALMA Awards

CNN special correspondent Soledad O'Brien is part of the all-star lineup of luninaries from the worlds of film, television, music and sports to appear athe The 2009 ALMA Awards.

According to an ABC press release, the award-winning artist Shakira will perform, and Salma Hayek, Oscar de la Hoya and the late Ricardo Montalban will be honored on "The 2009 ALMA Awards," to be telecast FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. The show will tape on Thursday, September 17 at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus.

In addition to Shakira, other musical performances include David Archuleta, Nelly Furtado, Sean Kingston and Pitbull.

Among the highlights of the ceremony, "The 2009 ALMA Awards" will bestow special honors upon two Latino superstars, actor/producer Salma Hayek and boxer/philanthropist Oscar de la Hoya, as well as host a special tribute to the late Ricardo Montalban -- who passed away earlier this year -- led by Oscar, Grammy, Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress Rita Moreno.

Celebrity appearances include Antonio Banderas, Jimmy Smits, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jake T. Austin, Benjamin Bratt, Jordana Brewster, JoAnna Garcia, Selena Gomez, Eva La Rue, Jesse Metcalfe, Enrique Murciano, Amaury Nolasco, Oscar Nunez, Dania Ramirez, Efren Ramirez, James Roday, Michelle Rodriguez, Adam Rodriguez, Roselyn Sanchez, Nadine Velazquez, Lauren Velez, Sofia Vergara, Kat Von D and Rainn Wilson.

"The 2009 ALMA Awards" will bring a new approach to this year's show. Television and film actress Eva Longoria Parker will share her hosting duties with comedian and actor George Lopez, in addition to reprising her role as one of the show's executive producers. This year the ALMA Awards will also update the format of the show with some modifications to the nominations process in an effort to be more inclusive of the broad array of talent throughout the industry.

The two-hour special is organized by The National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the U.S. The annual ALMA (American Latino Media Arts) Awards recognize and celebrate Latino artistic achievement in the entertainment industry. The ALMA Awards was created by NCLR in 1995 as part of its strategy to promote the diverse, accurate and balanced portrayals of Latinos in the media and the enhancement of the Latino image in the entertainment industry. The show is an example of how inclusion strengthens the entertainment industry, just as diversity strengthens our country.

The show will focus on "Year in Review" categories in film, television and music. New categories have also been added to recognize the influence of special segments of the entertainment industry that are shaping positive perceptions of the Latino community, such as emerging young talent (under 18), talent behind the scenes who make the on-screen magic happen, and a sports category in acknowledgment of the increasing integration of the worlds of sports and entertainment.

"The 2009 ALMA Awards" production team includes executive producers Janet Murgua, Eva Longoria Parker, David Chavez, Bob Bain and director Michael Dempsey.

"The 2009 ALMA Awards" is broadcast with Spanish subtitles via secondary closed captioning.

O'Brien Moderates Panel at NY International Latino Film Festival

The 10th New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) Panel Discussion "HBO and CNN Present: A Conversation With..." was held at HBO Manhattan headquarters, on August 1, 2009.

The all-star panelists included actors Luiz Guzman, Rosie Perez and Lauren Velez and was moderated by CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien.

Perez, O'Brien, NYILFF executive director Elizabeth Gardner, Guzman, Velez.

The panel discussed networking techniques in the film industry, Latino identity, past, and current projects. Artists, filmmakers, producers, digital recording artists, actors, industry executives, and friends of NYILFF attended the session.



CNN and CNN en Español presents "Latino in America," reported by anchor and special correspondent Soledad O'Brien. The two-part, two-hour documentary series will air on Wednesday, October 21, and Thursday, October 22, at 9:00 pm ET and 12:00 am PT.

Soledad O'Brien Joins Puerto Rican Day Parade

Soledad O'Brien participated in this year's Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York June 14, appearing on the El Diario/La Prensa float.

During the parade, O'Brien, who is of Cuban and Irish descent, walked the route, handing out pins to promote her latest CNN documentary project "Latino in America." The CNN documentary premieres in October.

"It's really energizing to see hundreds of thousands of Latinos celebrating their American heritage. And that's what the documentary, Latino in America, is all about — a recognition of how Latinos have become a large part of the new face of America."

Book for Latino in America Series Due This Fall

There will be an accompanying book to the CNN Latino in America series/

The series and book will debut in October.

The paperback is written by Soledad O'Brien and Rose Marie Arce.

The book is available for pre-order at Amazon now for $11.56 (list price is $17)







This book will be released on October 6, 2009.

Soledad O'Brien to Host CNN's Latino in America Series

Following last year’s successful Black In America documentary series, CNN will turn its cameras on America’s Latino community with the two-part documentary series Latino In America premiering in October.

CNN hopes that the In America franchise can draw more attention to the struggles and triumphs of diverse communities.

“The In America brand strand gives us the opportunity to look at groups of people in America that have been misreported or in some cases neglected [by the media],” according to Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer for CNN Productions.

Latino In America will be hosted by Soledad O’Brien.

The programs will focus on the growing U.S. Hispanic population and the pertinent issues that face the community.

“We found out with Black In America that many people who watched were not only black but Hispanic as well,” Nelson said. “This is the fastest-growing minority group in America today, but we don’t understand how really diverse this group is. The show focuses on how Latinos are changing America and how America is changing Latinos.”

The first part of the series will explore the lives of people across the country who share the surname “Garcia,” the eighth most popular family name in America. The second part focuses on how four different communities are meeting the challenges of disparities, immigration and discrimination in terms of language, education, citizenship, and cultural identity.

Celebrities such as Edward James Olmos, Eva Longoria Parker, Jesse Garcia and Lupe Ontiveros will also be featured in the documentary.

Nelson said CNN will also create a Spanish-language version of Latino In America.

Black In America 2 premieres this July.