Latino Spirit Awards

Every year, the California Latino Legislative Caucus presents the Latino Spirit Award to prominent Latinos in technology, journalism & media, literature, health & science, advocacy, business, education, human rights, arts, public service, and entertainment. Each honoree has made pioneering contributions in their respective fields, rising to become role models and community leaders. They remind us of the talent within our diverse Latino community and inspire all Californians.

Honoring inspirational figures within our diverse Latino community, the Latino Spirit Awards have been a beacon of hope and celebration since their establishment in 2002. With each passing year, these awards continue to shine a light on the incredible achievements and contributions of our Latino community, reminding us all of the boundless potential within each and every one of us.

The 23rd annual Latino Spirit Awards will take place on Monday, May 5, 2025.

2025 LATINO SPIRIT AWARD HONOREES

Below are the recipients of the 23rd Annual Latino Spirit Awards:

Luis Armona (Achievement in Business)

A licensed contractor since 1984, Luis Armona has dedicated his career to leading and growing Meruelo Group LLC-affiliated companies across construction, media, gaming, financial services, and more. As a principal owner of Meruelo Enterprises, Inc., Luis helps oversee Meruelo Enterprises — California’s largest Latino-owned utility construction company. He has also played a role in Commercial Bank of California, the largest Latino-owned bank in California, has ventured into gaming and hospitality, acquiring stakes in the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, NV and the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV and expanded into broadcast media, investing in Meruelo Media LLC, which owns several Los Angeles radio stations. Armona’s impact extends far beyond business operations. He is deeply committed to empowering the Latino community and fostering civic engagement. In 2023, he spearheaded “Tu Voz, Tu Voto, Tu Vida,” an initiative aimed at increasing voter awareness and participation among Latino communities. Luis’ true passion has always been uplifting other Latinos, whether in business or his personal life, and he strongly believes that supporting Latinos leads to greater opportunities for the entire community. Despite his busy career, family is everything to Luis. His greatest joy comes from spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, embracing his most cherished role — being the best grandfather he can.

Hon. Xavier Becerra (Achievement in Public Service)

Xavier Becerra was born in Sacramento, CA to immigrant parents and was the first in his family to graduate from a university and become a lawyer. He started his career as a legal advocate for individuals with mental illnesses, then served one term in the State Assembly, 12 terms in the US House of Representatives where he championed key health care reforms, including the Affordable Care Act (ACA), lowering Medicare costs for seniors, and protecting Americans’ Social Security Disability Insurance. In 2017, Congressman Becerra became California’s Attorney General (AG), where he led efforts to protect Californians’ privacy and consumer rights and hold large corporations and the opioid industry accountable. AG Becerra protected Californians from Trump Administration attacks, suing the federal government more than 100 times. In 2021, AG Becerra became the 25th Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, where he oversaw the operations of Medicare, the ACA, Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health. Under his leadership, America achieved the highest level of health care coverage in history. He successfully executed the Biden Administration’s campaign to end the COVID pandemic, which was killing thousands of Americans every day and ravaging our economy. Xavier is married to Dr. Carolina Reyes, a maternal fetal medicine specialist and professor of medicine at UC Davis Medical Center, and has three daughters: Clarisa, Olivia, and Natalia.

Raffy Bitchakdjian (Achievement in Public Service)

Raffy Bitchakdjian was born in Burbank, CA to immigrant parents from Lebanon and Mexico. He attended Glendale High School, where he was involved with the Associated Student Body and the Glendale Fire Explorers. After graduating from the Verdugo Fire Academy, he began his career with the Pasadena Fire Department and was elected to the Pasadena Fire Fighters Association executive board. He has held the title of Director, 2nd Vice President, Secretary Treasurer, and eventually, President of the Association. He currently serves as Fire Engineer at Station 34. On the day of the Eaton incident, he was assigned to the initial attack of the fire near the Eaton Canyon trail, protecting the structures that were first threatened. With his crew and initial Pasadena fire units, they were able to save homes. As the fire progressed into Altadena, he was reassigned to structure protection both at Alta Loma and then Allen/Altadena Drive. After completing his 96-hour shift, on his day off, he immediately reported to the Pasadena Convention Center, where he passed out gift cards with the California Fire Foundation for those in need.

Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš (Achievement in Environmental Justice)

Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš is an award-winning global ocean justice leader committed to reimagining power, policy, and leadership in climate justice. She is the founder of Azul, an innovative movement and global network of Latinx leaders committed to galvanizing the climate justice field to boldly push for policies that serve the people. Marcela’s work has reimagined environmental conservation policies to place care for people at the center and transformed justice-driven ocean policies locally and internationally. From spearheading Azul’s strategic campaign — instrumental in securing California’s statewide bans of shark fin sales and single-use plastic bags — to collaborating with global coalitions to push for a strong Global Plastics Treaty, her strategies have activated Latinos throughout the Americas to protect the ocean and coasts. Marcela currently serves as Vice Chair of the California State Coastal Conservancy. She is a Steering Committee Member of the Ocean Justice Forum, helped establish the Coastal Justice Lab at the University of California, Irvine, and is the founder and lead convener of Upwell, the flagship gathering of diverse leaders in ocean conservation. Proudly from Tijuana, Mexico, Marcela now makes the California coast home with her family.

Jesús Morales (Achievement in Philanthropy)

Jesús Morales, also known as “juixxe,” is a 25-year-old, first-generation Mexican immigrant who uses his platform to give back to local street vendors and strangers within the community. Driven by the desire to help others, Morales has raised over $200,000 in donations to directly support vendors from the local fruit stand on the street corner to the ice cream cart walking through, near the beach. Since 2020, he has posted hundreds of videos showing him surprising workers and street vendors — many of whom are Spanish-speaking immigrants — with grand gestures such as $1,000 tips, laptop and tablet giveaways, fully paid-off cars, and trips to Disneyland. He collects donations through apps like Venmo and Cash App, and along with the help of his followers and brand sponsors, juixxe plans to give away millions of dollars. His audience not only wants to provide him with cash to donate, but they have become fans of his powerful and moving mission. His future goals include expanding into longer form content, partnering with brands for larger giveaways, and helping all those he interacts with along the way.

Luisa Ortega, Ed.D. (Achievement in Community Empowerment)

Dr. Luisa Ortega is a transformational leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, program development, and community advocacy. As Executive Director of the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP), she leads initiatives that address educational and civic disparities affecting Latino/Chicano youth. An Indigenous, first-generation Chicana and dedicated mother, she has championed access to education and mental health resources for marginalized communities. Dr. Ortega holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies and Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s in Education from San Diego State University, and a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. She has spoken at national conferences such as the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE) and the National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS), been featured in KVCR’s Latino Leaders Spotlight, and contributed to academic panels on nonprofit leadership and Latino youth advocacy. A proud daughter of immigrant parents, Luisa credits their resilience and faith for shaping her path. As a mother of three — including two college students — she remains deeply invested in the future of education, community-building, and social justice for future generations.

René M. Ramirez, M.D. (Achievement in Health & Science)

Dr. René Ramirez is a board-certified general surgeon and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, specializing in hepatobiliary, general, and robot surgery at Kaiser Permanente Greater Southern Alameda Area (GSAA). A dedicated clinician, leader, and educator, Dr. Ramirez has spent his career advancing surgical care while fostering a collaborative and service-driven culture within Kaiser Permanente. Since joining The Permanente Medical Group in 2009, Dr. Ramirez has taken on multiple leadership roles and is currently serving as Chief of Surgery for the GSAA. He is also the Kaiser Northern California Regional Chair for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and has been instrumental in developing quality metrics, centers of surgical excellence, and a regionalized surgical model. Beyond his clinical and leadership roles, Dr. Ramirez is deeply invested in the future of medicine and medical education, working with medical students and surgical residents in developing their knowledge, surgical skills, and a patient-centered approach to care. Throughout his career, Dr. Ramirez has been recognized for his excellence in patient care, research, and leadership. At the heart of Dr. Ramirez’s leadership philosophy is service — to patients, colleagues, and the broader medical community.

Margarita Rocha (Achievement in Public Service)

Margarita Rocha is the Executive Director of Centro La Familia Advocacy Services (CLFA), a nonprofit in Fresno County, founded in 1972. She has overseen the organization for over 35 years, transforming it into a beacon of resources for Hispanic and Latino families. Through her vision and design, CLFA is revered as a respected and trusted multi-service provider, reaching thousands of families in urban/rural communities. She developed programs to support victims of crime, strengthen families, and promote health and well-being. Margarita’s career began in Fresno as a community organizer in the 1960s. This experience led her to work in Washington, DC and Cleveland, OH as an Equal Rights Specialist for the Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. After her time as a civil servant, she returned to Fresno, driven by a desire to help families and children, in the manner she wished her own family had received — that is her motivation.

Angélica Salas (Achievement in Human Rights)

Angélica Salas is a nationally-recognized immigrant rights leader. Originally from Durango, Mexico, she immigrated to the US as a child to reunite with her parents, who came to provide a better life for their family. They lived in the country undocumented and experienced deportation, but eventually legalized their status, and in 2008, Angélica became a US citizen. Angélica joined the Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA) in 1995 and became CHIRLA’s Executive Director in 1999. In her role, she has transformed CHIRLA into a mass membership, immigrant-led organization that empowers immigrants and their families to win local, state, and national policies to advance human, civil, and labor rights. She has grown CHIRLA into one of the nation’s largest and most effective immigrant rights organizations and has spearheaded ambitious statewide and national campaigns to expand immigrant rights. Among her achievements include winning in-state financial aid and grant programs for California’s undocumented students, establishing day-laborer centers, winning driver’s licenses for undocumented drivers, decoupling local police departments from immigration enforcement, expanding access to immigrant legal services, and winning the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

Angélica Vale (Achievement in Arts & Entertainment)

Angélica Vale is a celebrated entertainer whose remarkable four-decade career spans theater, film, television, and radio. Born into one of the most influential artistic families in the Spanish-speaking world, she is the daughter of Mexico’s beloved icon Angélica María and the talented Raúl Vale. Her passion for the arts was evident from infancy, making her television debut at just two-months-old in El Milagro de Vivir and her stage debut at age two in Papacito Piernas Largas. Affectionately known as “La Vale,” she solidified her place in entertainment with her iconic role in La Fea Más Bella, one of the most-watched telenovelas in Mexico and internationally. She also captivated audiences as Mamá Imelda in the Spanish-language version of Disney-Pixar’s Coco and will soon star in Diario: Mujer y Café, produced by Roselyn Sánchez. Beyond acting, Angélica is a powerhouse in radio as the host of the La Vale Show on CALI 93.9 FM. As an executive producer of Real Women Have Curves: The Musical, she continues to champion Latina representation in entertainment. A dedicated activist, she played a crucial role in Meruelo Media’s “Tu Voz, Tu Voto, Tu Vida” campaign, empowering the Latino community to become more politically engaged. A loving daughter, devoted wife, and proud mother of two, Angélica Vale upholds the values of family, perseverance, and cultural empowerment, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and beyond.

La Peña Cultural Center (Achievement in the Arts)

Rooted in the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora in the United States, La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, CA collaborates with and unites historically marginalized communities by preserving cultural traditions, producing creative new works, and nurturing global grassroots social justice movements with artists, activists, and allies. La Peña originated in the diaspora of Chilean exiles after the coup in 1973, and was inspired by the “peñas” then popular in South America, which served as gathering places for artists and thinkers — offering food, music, intellectual exchange, and popular education to revolutionary artistic and political movements. It was with this ethos that the La Peña Cultural Center was founded in 1975, exactly 50 years ago. Since that time, La Peña has presented a wide range of cutting-edge public programming that centers and celebrates Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) culture bearers and audiences, with deep connections across the pan-Latinx, Afro-Caribbean, and Indigenous diasporic communities from across the Americas. Today, La Peña continues to be a center of transformative gathering. Committed to being a brave and welcoming space for all, La Peña brings together an annual audience of 10,000+ artists, educators, activists, and students of diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and ages from, all Bay Area counties and beyond. La Peña honors and empowers local and global BIPOC communities by sustaining pathways for creative exploration, political organizing, and intergenerational knowledge transfer.

2025 LATINO SPIRIT AWARD HONOREES

Latino Spirit Awards Photo Archive

Latino Spirit Awards Video Archive

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