Latino Spirit Awards honors ‘Gordita Chronicles’ actor Diana Maria Riva and more

“Book of Life” director and co-writer Jorge R. Gutierrez and Diana Maria Riva were among the honorees of Latino Spirit Awards. 

The California Latino Legislative Caucus recognized 16 Latinos at its 22nd Annual Latino Spirit Awards ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Every year, the California Latino Legislative Caucus presents the Latino Spirit Award honor to prominent Latino Californians. 

“The Latino Caucus is honoring and recognizing the significant contributions of prominent Latino leaders based in California, across all industries, who positively impact our Latino community,” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), Chair of the Latino Caucus. “Each of our 16 honorees is an agent of change who has consistently inspired, impacted, and influenced Latinos and made our communities proud.”

Gutierrez was honored for Achievement in Animation & Film. Gutierrez is an animator, painter, voice actor, writer, and director born in Mexico City and raised in Tijuana. He graduated from CalArts earning a BFA and MFA. Along with his wife and muse, Sandra Equihua, they created the multiple Emmy Award-winning animated series “El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera” for Nickelodeon. Gutierrez most recently created, wrote, and directed the event series “Maya and the Three” for Netflix, which won four Emmys. He also wrote and directed the animated feature named “I, Chihuahua” with Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias.

Riva was honored for Achievement in Advocacy & Entertainment. She starred in the Netflix series “Dead to Me,” which earned her an Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress, and a SAG-AFTRA Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. In 2021, Riva starred in the HBO Max series “The Gordita Chronicles,” playing Adela Castelli. 

Additional honorees from Southern California include Ignacio A. Gomez for Achievement in Art & Civil Rights. Gomez was born and raised in East Los Angeles and is a graduate of Art Center College of Design. His most famous painting is of Edward James Olmos as “El Pachuco,” for the Luis Valdez play “Zoot Suit.” In 2004, he created the César E. Chávez Memorial for the City of San Fernando. He also designed César E. Chávez’ headstone in La Paz, Keene.

Doris Anahí Muñoz was honored for Achievement in Art & Music. Muñoz is a Whittier-born, San Bernardino-raised, Los Angeles/Mexico City-based singer-songwriter with a debut EP “Aprendiendo Por Las Malas.” In December of 2023, Doris released a second EP “Por Las Buenas,” with shows in her two homes of Mexico City and Los Angeles. 

Dr. Diana E. Ramos was honored in Achievement in Public Service & Health. Dr. Ramos is a renowned public health leader, as well as California’s second Surgeon General and first Latina Surgeon General. Raised in South Central Los Angeles, Dr. Ramos received her medical degree from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. 

“It brings me immense pride to present the Latino Spirit Awards every year, honoring highly talented, accomplished, and inspiring individuals representing the rich cultural diversity within our Latino community,” said Senator Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), Vice-Chair of the Latino Caucus. “Their contributions and accomplishments are the kind that make others take notice, as they pioneer new achievements in their respective fields from athletics, to science, healthcare, entertainment, public service, and more.” 

Maite Gomez-Rejón was recognized for Achievement in Culinary Arts. Gomez-Rejón, founder of ArtBites, provides lectures, tastings, and cooking classes in museums across the country, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the J. Paul Getty Museum.  

This year’s Latino Spirit Awards honorees include Vanessa Aguilar for Achievement in Youth Athletics. She is a Soledad native who was called to play in the U-17 division of the Mexican National Soccer Team. Rafael Agustín, who was a writer on the award-winning TV show “Jane The Virgin,” was honoree for Achievement in Cinema & Literature. 

Cástulo de la Rocha was honored for Achievement in Health Care. De la Rocha is President and CEO of AltaMed Health Services Corporation. Joe L. Del Bosque for Achievement in Agriculture Business, is a civic leader and farmer from Firebaugh.  

Dr. José M. Hernández, honored for Achievement in Science & Philanthropy, is a former migrant farmworker selected by NASA as a member of their 19th class of astronauts in 2004. He flew as the flight engineer in the 2009 14-day STS-128 mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery to the International Space Station. In 2023, the Amazon Prime biopic “A Million Miles Away,” was released about his path from an immigrant farmworker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut, based on his 2012 autobiography “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut.” Today, Hernández works as a consultant within the company he founded in 2012, Tierra Luna Engineering, and serves on the University of California Board of Regents. 

Mexican-American singer-songwriter Lupita Infante was honored for Achievement in Music & Entertainment. Reporter for Telemundo 48 Pilar Niño was honored for Achievement in Journalism. Latina organization MANA San Diego chapter, established in 1986, was honored for Achievement in Community Empowerment. Nancy Sutley  was recognized for Achievement in Public Service. Sutley leads Mayor Bass’ environmental, energy, and sustainability policy and programs.  

Last but not least, actor Lisa Vidal was honored for Achievement in Advocacy & Entertainment. Vidal recently starred in the ABC series “The Baker and the Beauty.” She will next be seen in the second season of series “With Love” for Amazon. 

Established in 2002, The Latino Spirit Awards take place annually at the State Capitol in Sacramento to coincide with the state’s celebration of Cinco de Mayo. 

“The Latino Caucus is honoring and recognizing the significant contributions of prominent Latino leaders based in California, across all industries, who positively impact our Latino community,” said Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), Chair of the Latino Caucus. “Each of our 16 honorees is an agent of change who has consistently inspired, impacted, and influenced Latinos and made our communities proud.”

The honorees were acknowledged on each floor of the legislature during presentations by Latino Caucus Chair Cervantes in the Assembly and Vice-Chair Gonzalez in the Senate.