UnidosUS Annual Awards Honors Key Leaders and Advocates Driving Positive Change for Latinos and the Country

WASHINGTON, DC—UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, honored five leaders and trailblazers who have created meaningful change for the Latino community. UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía presented the awards during a virtual ceremony that concluded the organization’s 2021 Annual Conference. Comedian, actor and producer Cristela Alonzo served as the night’s host.

“Each of these awardees has impacted and inspired the Latino community through their work and their example,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía. “Whether it’s reporting on important issues and world events through rich storytelling; championing diversity and inclusion in the corporate sector; demonstrating the power of solidarity on and off the football field or fighting to ensure every American has the right to participate fully in our democracy, their contributions will have a lasting impact on our community and our country.”

This year’s awardees include:

• The Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award was presented to Stacey Abrams, Founder & Board Chair, Fair Fight Action. The award honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to promoting the interests of Hispanic Americans.
• The Honorable Lina Hidalgo, Harris County Judge was the recipient of the Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership. The award recognizes those who have worked for the betterment of the Hispanic community at the grassroots level and whose leadership has been as a source of strength and inspiration to the Hispanic community.
• The recipient of the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications was Lulu Garcia-Navarro, host of Weekend Edition Sunday and NPR’s morning news podcast Up First. The award goes to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in the field of communications and journalism.
• David L. Cohen, Senior Advisor to the CEO, Comcast Corporation, and Chair of the UnidosUS Corporate Board of Advisors received this year’s Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award. This award honors an individual or organization that has shown outstanding support for UnidosUS’s mission.
• The Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence was presented to Ron Rivera, head coach of the Washington Football Team. The award is presented to an individual renowned in the world of sports and committed to the advancement of Hispanic Americans.

Read more about our Conference honorees here.

The Conference Awards Celebration is sponsored by FedEx and Marriott International. Bank of America is the title sponsor of this year’s Annual Conference presented in partnership with UPS.