Hispanic Heritage Award 2014: Zoe Saldana, Pepe Aguilar Among The Recipients Of Prestigious Honor

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) today announced the 2014 Hispanic Heritage Awards Honorees, who will receive their prestigious recognition on September 18 at the Warner Theatre in Washington, DC. Target will serve as the presenting sponsor for the second year and present an education award as the Hispanic community celebrates cultural pride, contribution and accomplishment. For the first time, PBS will broadcast the Awards as a one-hour special nationally on September 29 at 10 p.m. ET (check local listings). For a one-minute video visit www.TheHispanicHeritageAwards.com.

“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is proud to honor yet another inspiring group of Latino leaders with our prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “The Hispanic community has made significant contributions throughout history, and we are proud to recognize that impact. Beyond celebrating our past success, we are focused on the future. Now more than ever, Latinos will play a vital role in moving America forward, and we applaud our sponsors, including Target as our presenting sponsor, for their leadership. We are also thrilled to reach a broader audience through the partnership with PBS, who will broadcast the Awards.”

The Hispanic Heritage Awards were established in 1987 by the White House 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. The Awards are supported by nearly 40 national Hispanic-serving institutions who co-host the program.

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 also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The 2014 Honorees are:

Vision – Zoe Saldaña, presented by Hershey’s

Master of Arts – Pepe Aguilar, presented by Southwest Airlines

Legend – Carlos Vives, presented by AARP

STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) – Rep. Ruben Hinojosa presented by ExxonMobil

Education – the Hayden High School Robotics Team presented by Target

Sports – Bernie Williams presented Amtrak

Leadership – Henry R. Munoz III

Special Recognition – 65th Infantry Regiment of the US Army “The Borinqueneers”

Additional sponsors of the Hispanic Heritage Awards include UPS, Coca-Cola, PhRMA, Adelante Capital, BBVA Compass, Google, CVS Caremark, NASCAR, NFL, Saber es Poder, Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino, The Raben Group, Entertainment Software Association, Crowell & Moring, US Army, and NRCCUA. Erwin Gomez’s Karma Beauty Lounge is the Official Stylist. Southwest Airlines is the Office Airline.

“PBS and our member stations represent and celebrate the communities we serve,” said Paula Kerger, President and CEO of PBS. “The Hispanic Heritage Awards are a great opportunity for us to pause and reflect on the contributions Latino Americans have made to our nation, and come together to recognize the fantastic honorees. We look forward to sharing this gala event with our audiences, both on our airwaves, and online, and hope that it inspires greater cultural understanding and appreciation of our diversity as Americans.”