EASY 93.1 is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month! We will be celebrating and recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions Hispanic’s have made to American society and culture. This includes honoring different Hispanic professionals, artists, and community leaders that have made a difference in our community. Thanks to our sponsors PDQ and Sedanos “sigue tu tradición.”

See below of Hispanic’s we are highlighting for Hispanic Heritage Month:

Don Miguel Ruiz – Author of the 4 agreements (Mexico )

Trained as a neurosurgeon, a near-fatal car accident took author Don Miguel Ruiz down a spiritual path, through the roots of his Toltec ancestors in Mexico. His life change ultimately changed our lives when he published the book, ‘The Four Agreements’. The book was published in 1997 and has sold around 10 million copies. According to Don Miguel, the most important agreements are the ones we make with ourselves.

https://www.miguelruiz.com/don-miguel-ruiz

Marc Anthony – Artist (Puerto Rico)

Born Marco Antonio Muniz, Marc Anthony paid tribute to his Puerto Rican roots as a cast member of the new movie version of the musical, ‘In the Heights’. He has won multiple Grammy awards for both English and Spanish language albums, co-founded a children’s charity, the Maestro Cares Foundation, and today he celebrates his 53rd birthday.

https://www.marcanthonyonline.com

Belkys Nerey – WSVN News Anchor (Cuba)

Born in Havana, Cuba, Belkys Nerey brings a taste of the Island to her Emmy-nominated cooking segments, ‘Bite with Belkys’, on WSVN. She entertained us as co-host of the Pop Culture rundown, ‘Deco Drive’, and keeps us informed as the 5-time Emmy winning anchor of Channel 7′s nighttime newscasts.

https://wsvn.com/7news-team/belkys-nerey/

Lele Pons (Venezuela)

Venezuelan ‘Vine’ Veteran Lele Pons had ten million followers when Vine shut down …That grew to 17 million when she moved to YouTube, where her comedy sketches, singing and dancing have earned her multiple awards. Despite her success, the Miami Country Day School graduate reveals her struggles with OCD in her YouTube docu-series, ‘The Secret Life of Lele Pons’.

https://www.forbes.com/profile/lele-pons/?sh=6fbc27db2bf9

Paco Velez – President / CEO of Feeding South Florida (Mexico)

September is also Hunger Action Month, so we’re honoring Paco Velez, now in his 10th year as President & CEO of Feeding South Florida. Influenced by his Mexican Heritage, Paco’s philosophy that “the people who give you their food give you their heart” has helped make Feeding South Florida one of the largest Food Banks in Florida.

https://feedingsouthflorida.org/leadership-team/

Camila Cabello - Artist (Cuba)

Camila Cabello was born in Havana, grew up in Miami, then moved to L.A. to pursue her dreams, and they keep coming true. From her first solo hit, aptly named ‘Havana’, to dueting with Shawn Mendes in song and in real-life, to headlining the newest musical version of ‘Cinderella’ for Amazon, Camila truly is ‘One in a Million’.

https://www.camilacabello.com

Dr. Marlow Hernandez Cano- Cano Health (Cuba)

It’s South Florida’s good fortune that the family of Dr. Marlow Hernandez, CEO of Cano Health, immigrated from Cuba when he was 8 years old. They emphasized education and community, leading Hernandez to open his first primary care clinic while still in Medical School(1). Now with 36 locations, 1000 employees and nearly 200,000 patients, Hernandez hopes to take his caring concept nationwide(2),with the guiding principle of always placing the needs of the patients above all else, and providing value-based care for seniors. He’s now just a conga line away from achieving that goal, entering into a partnership with Emilio Estefan to help take Cano Health(3) to the next level!

https://canohealth.com/message-from-ceo/

Enrique Iglesias - Artist (Spain)

He’s just dropped his latest album, ‘Final’, but will it be his last? Enrique is hinting that may be the case as he has retirement on his mind. But first there’ll be a ‘Final’ Part 2 to follow up Part 1. And before that, there’s his re-scheduled tour with Ricky Martin, which comes to the FTX Arena October 22nd and 23rd. He admits that the physicality of touring is more challenging than it used to be. But spending the pandemic locked in with his partner of 20 years, Anna Kournikova, and their newborn 3rd child might have him thinking of family time as a bigger priority now.

Read more about his future plans here: https://tinyurl.com/3std6u5v

Julio Lima & Roberto Quevedo- Fed Help Medical (Cuba & Puerto Rico)

Hispanic Heritage month is a time of remembrance for both CFO Julio Lima of Cuba and COO Robert Quevedo of Puerto Rico, two Latino’s who became self-employed business owners. Both their parents migrated to the United States so they could live “the American Dream”, give a better future to their children and to leave a legacy for the next generations to come. They take pride in being a resource to local Injured Federal Employees because they acknowledge the importance of being seen, having a voice, and giving to those in need. Robert and Julio take pride in owning a business where there are many individuals, not just our employees, but also our patients from many different cultural backgrounds in embracing an inclusive and diverse community. “Together, we are stronger”.

https://fedhelpmedical.com/about-fed-help-medical/

Anthony Ramos –‘Hamilton’ & ‘In the Heights’ (Puerto Rico)

Anthony Ramos paid tribute to his Puerto Rican roots in the lead role of ‘Usnavi’ in the movie version of ‘In the Heights’ - that came after he brought American History to life in the dual role of John Laurenz and Phiip Hamilton in the original Broadway version of ‘Hamilton’. As a triple-threat actor, singer and dancer, he’s been on TV Shows, on stage and in films, and still he never forgets where he started. In a typically joyful post on his Facebook page, Ramos credits his high school Theater teacher, Sara Steinweiss for enabling him to ‘live his dream’ - including helping him memorize his lines for his next starring role in the newest Transformers movie, due out next year. And displaying his sense of humor, Anthony mentions that, since he’s now considered an ‘A-List Actor’, he hired security - 2 adorable dogs, including a husky that he’s trying to teach to sing and rap - a rare fail for someone whose life has been blessed with considerable success. To hear Anthony sing his own songs, check out the videos from his newest album, ‘Love and Lies’, just released this past June - they’re on his website.

www.anthonyranmosofficial.com

Brian Flores – Miami Dolphins Head Coach (Honduras )

In his third year as Head Coach of the Miami Dolphins, Brian Flores has delighted fans who watched the team open this season with a win over their nemesis – and Flores’ prior employer – the New England Patriots. Born in Brooklyn, his parents came to America from Honduras. The culture was a major part of his upbringing, giving him love, support and strong values – which, together, helped Brian become the success he is today.

https://www.miamidolphins.com/team/coaches-roster/brian-flores

Lin Manuel-Miranda (Puerto Rico)

You might catch Lin Manuel Miranda at next week’s Emmy Awards, as the Disney Plus TV version of ‘Hamilton’ is up for 12 awards. But this son of Puerto Rican parents can’t slow down. He wrote or created music for the movie ‘in the Heights’; the animated Netflix cartoon, ‘Vivo’ ; “Freestyle Love Supreme”, conceived by Lin-Manuel, Thomas Kail and Anthony Veneziale – and now the subject of a Grammy Award-nominated documentary – Freestyle Love Supreme will make its triumphant return to Broadway October 7th ; and his charity duet with Jennifer Lopez, “Love Make the World Go Round”, originally written to benefit the victims and families of the Pulse Nightclub Shooting, was re-released on the 5th anniversary of the shooting, with proceeds still going to the charity fund.

Everything Lin-Manuel at his website: https://www.linmanuel.com

Josie Bacallao – President / CEO of Hispanic Unity of Broward (Cuba)

Born in Cuba, Josie comes from a family of activists. Her father was imprisoned in Cuba after the Bay of Pigs. If not for a program allowing families of Cuban prisoners of the Bay of Pigs to come to America, Josie might never have grown up in Miami, or made the enormous impact on residents and immigrants that she has as President & CEO of Hispanic Unity of Florida. She has led the non-profit in expanding its outreach to serve people from more than 30 countries, helping them to acclimate to American culture, and ultimately become American citizens. After 18 years with Hispanic Unity, Josie will retire at the end of 2021.

https://www.hispanicunity.org/content/josie-bacallao

Nestor Torres (Puerto Rico)

Born in Puerto Rico, Grammy-award winning Flautist Nestor Torres ultimately settled in Miami and has become part of the fabric of our community – musically, culturally and charitably. His performances showcase his special brand of Latin Jazz Flute, and his stories about the songs charm his audiences into permanent fans. In his second year as Artist-In-Residence at the Florida Youth Orchestra, Nestor will once again perform with them at Music Parkfest in February. Visit Nestor’s website to see and hear more of Nestor’s ‘Jazz Flute Traditions’ and other musical ventures.

http://www.nestortorres.com

Selena- Artist (Mexico)

Imagine what singer Selena Quintanilla could have done had she not been shot down at just 23 years old. She’d already broken into the normally male-dominated genre of Tejano music, winning Female Vocalist of the Year at the Tejano Music Awards NINE times in a row! She’d crossed over into the American music market, yet maintained her Mexican roots with fashion boutiques featuring clothes she designed herself. And she was involved with multiple charities. Devoted to charity work, Selena supported Toys for Tots, advocated for education, and performed in a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Andrew.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena

El Dorado founders – Capo’ Family (Cuba)

The Hispanic community has helped El Dorado Furniture bring families together for over 54 years throughout Florida. Through common values, goals, and dreams, Hispanics have encompassed the essence of a united society. El Dorado’s red diamond symbolizes this unity, both amongst their team members and the founding family.

www.eldoradofurniture.com

Eddy Alvarez – Miami Marlins, 2x Olympic Winner (Cuban-American)

Eddy ‘Alvarez, is one of only six people in history to medal in both the summer and winter Olympics, in two different sports. After winning silver in speed-skating in 2014, he turned to baseball. It took years in the minor leagues before he made the Majors - on his hometown team, the Miami Marlins – leading to his second Olympic silver - playing Baseball for Team USA. Eddy credits his Cuban-American parents for giving him the support to keep on reaching for his dreams. When he was 11 years old, focused on speed-skating, his friends called him ‘Eddy the Jet’.

https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/31981184

Diaz-Balart Family Jose Diaz, Lincoln & Mario (Cuba)

The Diaz-Balart Family has made quite an impression since immigrating from Cuba. Oldest brother Rafael became a banker. Second oldest Lincoln, and youngest Mario have both served many years in Congress representing different districts in South Florida. And Jose Diaz Balart has made his name as an Emmy-winning broadcaster & journalist, seen on local TV, as well as Univision, Telemundo, and MSNBC. Despite being related by marriage to Fidel Castro, the brothers have fought for immigration reform..

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%ADaz-Balart_family

Vicky Bakery founders – Antonio & Gelasio Cao (Cuba)

The Vicky Bakery story is one of love. Founders Antonio & Gelasia Cao met & fell in love while working at a bakery in Cuba. When they came to Miami as political refugees, they took their love of baking and opened the first Vicky Bakery in Hialeah. The labor of love has now passed to the next generation with the opening of Cao bakery, named for Antonio, but also standing for Cuban American Baker. The famed pastelitos and croquetas can now be shipped nationwide, and Cao bakery has franchises available.

Tito Puente – Artist (wrote Oye Como Va) (Puerto Rico)

Tito Puente grew up in Spanish Harlem in New York City, where his parents had moved from Puerto Rico. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he attended the Juilliard School of Music, and became known as ‘The King of Latin Music’, as featured in the film ‘The Mambo Kings’. Two of his greatest legacies were born in 1971 – the song ‘Oye Como Va’, one of Santana’s most enduring hits … and his son, Tito Puente Jr., who continues to create Latin jazz fusion from his home base here in Miami.

• Tito Puente helped give Celia Cruz her start in the music industry
• He won 5 Grammy Awards, including a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the Billboard Latin Music Achievement Award
• Tito appeared in a 2-part episode of ‘The Simpsons’, called ‘Who Shot Mr. Burns?’
• Tito Jr. created his own line of Salsa Hot Sauce

Carlos Santana-Artist (Mexico)

The man, the band, the guitar legend – all ways to describe Carlos Santana, the son of a Mexican Mariachi player. Carlos’ musical explorations went much farther, as he combined rock, Latin Jazz and African Rhythms, creating his own distinct World Music sound. From Woodstock to his Vegas Residency at the House of Blues, to collaborations with Steve Winwood and Rob Thomas, Carlos Santana deserves every award he’s won in his 5- decade musical career.

Quote: “Energy is best served by being of soulful service to Humanity.”

• Not only does Carlos support multiple charitable organizations, he founded his own - The Milagro Foundation, dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children through health, education and the arts.
• Both Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon were members of Santana. Both left and later co-founded the band Journey.

https://www.santana.com/carlos-santana-biography/

Carlos Albizu Miranda- Albizu University (Puerto Rico)

Though psychiatry was already an established field of medicine, it was Puerto Rico’s Carlos Albizu Miranda who recognized that the practice needed to be tailored to the patient, addressing the effects of an individual’s culture on their mental health. He founded the first professional independent school of psychology in North America, later adding a campus in Miami, now known As Carlos Albizu University, in Doral.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Albizu_Miranda

Jennifer Lopez – Artist (Puerto Rico)

There’s so much more to Jennifer Lopez than who she dates or what she wears. Lopez is known for her relentless work ethic, and keeps breaking down barriers to create, produce and host her own TV shows and movies. She’s planning re-boots of classic musical films, has her own make up & fragrance line, plus partnerships with Coach, DSW and Goli. And she cares about causes, performing at Global

Citizens Live concerts this past May and September.

http://www.jenniferlopez.com

Rafael Nadal – Athlete (Spain)

Known as ‘El Toro’ – The Bull – for his focused intensity on the tennis court, 20-time Grand Slam Champion, Rafael Nadal, is one of the humblest stars off the court.Family means everything to Rafa, who finally married his high school sweetheart after years of dating. He still lives where he grew up, in Manacor on the island of Mallorca, Spain … also where he established his first Rafael Nadal Tennis Academy, to give young children access to some of the best training in the world.

https://www.rafanadalacademy.com

Don Francisco– TV Host (Spain)

Don Francisco, the legendary host of Sabado Gigante for 53 years, might have ended up with a completely different career. His father, a Holocaust survivor, took the family to Chile after World War II. At that time, Francisco was known by his given name, Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld. As a young man his father took him to New York, hoping he’d become a clothing designer. Instead, Don Francisco fell in love with Television – and developed the longest running TV show in history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Francisco_(television_host)

Dr. Johann Torres- Medical Director at Miami Beach Community Health Center

To some people he’s ‘Johann’, to others he’s ‘Dr. Torres’, and to the Miami Beach Community Health Center, he’s the Senior Medical Director. More than two decades into his career, Dr. Johann Torres is as committed as ever to providing the same level of excellent medical care to underserved people as to those who can afford it. He is also passionate about AIDS prevention, and actively works to help educated people and prevent the spread of Covid 19.

http://www.mbchc.org

Ellen Ochoa- Astronaut (Mexico)

Ellen Ochoa’s achievements are out of this world – literally. Of Mexican heritage, Ochoa stood out because of her intelligence and work ethic. After just two years at NASA, she was selected as an astronaut and became the first Hispanic-American woman to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. After three more space missions, Ochoa became the first Hispanic-American director of the Johnson Space Center. She has received numerous awards, has six schools named after her, and is a big supporter of STEM education.

https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/people/orgs/bios/ochoa.html

Celia Cruz - Artist (Cuba)

3 Grammy awards, 4 Latin Grammy’s, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the President’s National Medal of Arts, and the 2001 Forever Stamp, part of a series of Forever Latin Music Legends. With stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the Walk of Fame at the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach, the honors are endless for the legendary ‘Queen of Salsa’, Celia Cruz. Perhaps Gloria Estefan described her best: “On stage, Celia was ageless; in life, her good energy and generosity were boundless; her music is and will remain timeless. . . .”

https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/celia-cruz/1461

Felipe Valls - Founder of Café Versailles (Cuba)

The menu says Café Versailles, but it’s also known as ‘La Ventanita’ the go-to hub for conversation within Miami’s Cuban community. Founder Felipe Valls couldn’t have known it would become a standard stop on political candidates’ campaign trails, but he understands its historic impact. Versailles is celebrating its 50th year in business, together with the HistoryMiami Museum. And if you get a hankering for their Especial Cuban Sandwich, you can now have them shipped nationwide!

https://www.versaillesrestaurant.com

Gloria Estefan - Artist (Cuba)

Gloria Estefan has shown the world how to navigate fame with class, how to evolve gracefully and how to face incredible challenges with faith and strength. The story of her rise to superstardom brought Broadway to its feet. She’s since made a new video of the title song, ‘Get On Your Feet’, changing it to ‘Put On Your Mask’ in an effort to help conquer Covid. And now, she’s conquering the digital world with her Facebook Watch Series: Red Table Talk: The Estefans, with her daughter, Emily, and niece Lili.

http://www.gloriaestefanfoundation.com/

Ricky Martin - Artist (Puerto Rico)

Mas Amor, Menos Odis – More Love, Less Hate .. That’s Ricky Martin’s motto, and it reflects who he is. Seemingly fearless on stage, he admits to feeling uncomfortable around people until he Came Out and gave himself the freedom to be his true self., setting an example for millions of people worldwide. Now happily married, with 4 children, Ricky advocates for many causes .. and is bringing the Love and the Heat to audiences on his current tour with Enrique Iglesias… coming to Miami next week!

https://www.facebook.com/RickyMartinOfficialPage

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