HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rhina Valentin

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rhina Valentin

May 7, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Rhina Valentin

Elevating Culture, Community, and Creative Expression in New York

Rhina Valentin is a powerful creative force whose work continues to shape New York’s cultural and media landscape.

A native New Yorker of Afro-Boricua heritage, she has built a career defined by authenticity, advocacy, and artistic expression using media, entertainment, and storytelling to elevate multicultural communities and amplify the voices of working-class women of color.

Rhina Valentin will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

As founder of La Reina Del Barrio, Inc., she continues supporting independent creators and cultural institutions through production, marketing, and storytelling initiatives rooted in community engagement.

Her original programming reflects both her creative vision and commitment to advocacy. Through projects including Colors Of Rhina and Rhina Gets Lean, she explores multicultural identity, wellness, transformation, and healing. She is currently developing five episodes of Park Buzz’N w/ Rhina, further expanding her role as a producer and cultural storyteller.

Her television and film work includes HBO’s Betty la Flaca, nationally syndicated commercials, and the 2024 Afro-Latino pilot The Amigo Family, featured during the Essence Festival alongside actress Tatyana Ali.

In 2024, Rhina was honored as a special guest at the White House’s inaugural Afro-Latino Heritage Celebration recognizing her growing impact as both a creative professional and community advocate.

Her work has earned numerous honors including the 2024 NYC Celebrates Women Award, the 2024 Mujer Legendaria Award presented by Ford Motor Company, the 2022 Latin Impact Award, and recognition as the inaugural Latina “Creative New Yorker for New York.”

Beyond media and entertainment, Rhina continues to invest in community and personal wellness. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Bronx Council on the Arts and Boundless Theater, while also serving as a production consultant for Casita Maria’s South Bronx Culture Festival.

She is also pursuing certification in Transcendental and Primordial Sound Meditation, believing in the transformative power of meditation and healing-centered practices.

Milestone Statement

Her milestone is defined by elevating culture, amplifying community voices, and creating meaningful representation through storytelling, advocacy, and creative leadership.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Michelle Herrera Mulligan

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Michelle Herrera Mulligan

May 6, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series – Honors Michelle Herrera Mulligan

Shaping the Future of Storytelling and Expanding the Marketplace of Ideas

Michelle Herrera Mulligan is helping redefine how stories are told—and who gets to tell them.

As Associate Publisher and Vice President of Primero Sueño Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster and Atria Books, she is building a platform that brings new voices into the global marketplace of ideas.

Michelle Herrera Mulligan will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — New York, taking place on May 20, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details & RSVP: https://bit.ly/4bApDkE

Her milestone is defined by transforming how stories are published, distributed, and experienced creating access for voices that have long been underrepresented.

In 2024, she launched Primero Sueño Press, a new imprint dedicated to publishing commercial and literary works by Latine authors in both English and Spanish. That same year, she played a key role in developing a first-of-its-kind partnership with UranoWorld expanding distribution directly into Spain and throughout Latin America.

Her editorial work continues to shape national conversations. Among the titles she has helped bring to market are Trejo, The Marathon Don’t Stop, and Free Cyntoia, along with more recent works exploring identity, trauma, and triumph.

Before her current role, Michelle helped build influential media platforms as a founding editor of Cosmo for Latinas and Latina magazine reaching millions of readers and helping define a generation of cultural storytelling.

An accomplished author and journalist, her work has appeared in The New York Times and Elle, reaching audiences across both print and digital platforms.

Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential Latinas in the United States, she continues to mentor writers, guide emerging voices, and push for a broader, more inclusive marketplace of ideas.

Milestone Statement

Her milestone is defined by elevating voices, expanding access, and reshaping the cultural narrative through the power of the written word.

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

Home, Tu Casa: The First Bloom

Home, Tu Casa: The First Bloom

Apr 28, 2026 | Home Tu Casa

Home, Tu Casa: The First Bloom

Story and photo by Richard Sandoval

Home, Tu Casa Series

Last year, we began reimagining our front yard.

Like many homeowners, our initial focus was on the inside. When you first purchase a home, there’s a long list of priorities furnishings, repairs, and making the space livable. In our case, the exterior had been handled by the builder, so we directed our time and energy inward.

But homeownership doesn’t stand still.

Over time, your perspective changes. The furniture you once loved no longer feels quite right. Your taste evolves. Maybe your career advances, your lifestyle shifts, or your priorities become clearer. You repaint. You redesign. You begin again.

That’s the journey.

This rose captured in a quiet moment from our garden, represents more than a seasonal bloom. It marks the first sign of life in a space we chose to shape ourselves. It reflects effort, patience, and care. From selecting the plant to nurturing it through changing seasons, there’s intention behind every step.

Homeownership works the same way.

For many, especially first-time buyers, the process can feel overwhelming. You may be the first in your family to take that step. That’s why it’s important to lean on experience friends, colleagues, and trusted organizations that can help guide your decisions.

That’s also why we’ve partnered with Credit.org through our Home, Tu Casa series to provide real conversations, practical guidance, and access to resources that help turn the idea of homeownership into something achievable.

Because the truth is simple: owning a home isn’t just about where you live it’s about investing in yourself, your future, and your family.

And yes, it’s also about moments like this.

Taking a step back. Appreciating what you’ve built. Recognizing the growth both around you and within you.

This rose is a reminder.

Your home, like your life, will continue to evolve. And if you’re willing to put in the work, the results will speak for themselves.

We invite you to share your homeownership journey with us as part of Home, Tu Casa. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to take their first step.

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HL | Milestone Series — Honors Anita Martinez Lepp

HL | Milestone Series — Honors Anita Martinez Lepp

Apr 18, 2026 | Milestone

HL | Milestone Series — Honors Anita Martinez Lepp

A Legacy Defined by Leadership, Influence, and Endurance

The HL | Milestone Series recognizes individuals whose leadership, influence, and legacy reflect a lifetime of contribution, resilience, and impact across our communities.

Anita Martinez Lepp represents a remarkable example of perseverance, discipline, and long-term influence. From humble beginnings in Texas to building a thriving accounting practice in California, her journey reflects not only personal success but the empowerment of generations of entrepreneurs and families.

Anita Martinez Lepp will be recognized during the HL | Milestone Series — Orange County, taking place on April 30, 2026. This invitation-only reception brings together a curated audience of executives, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for an evening of connection, conversation, and recognition.

👉 Event details: https://bit.ly/4qEref1

A Commitment to Lifelong Learning

Anita’s path into finance began with curiosity and determination. Her early studies at East Los Angeles Collegeintroduced her to accounting, sparking a passion that would shape her career.

She continued her education through coursework at University of California, Los Angeles and California Institute of Technology, expanding her expertise and staying ahead of an evolving financial landscape.

Her pursuit of knowledge did not stop with formal education—she continued learning well into her later years, reinforcing her belief that growth is ongoing.

Building a Business Through Trust and Relationships

Encouraged early in her career to pursue entrepreneurship, Anita launched her own accounting firm in the late 1970s. Serving small business owners across Southern California, she became a trusted advisor to contractors, landscapers, and entrepreneurs navigating complex financial systems.

Her expertise included working with the Internal Revenue Service and supporting clients in accessing opportunities through the Small Business Administration.

Her business grew not through marketing campaigns, but through relationships—built one conversation at a time, often starting in a local coffee shop. Trust, consistency, and credibility became the foundation of her success.

Balancing Business, Family, and Purpose

Anita’s journey reflects more than professional success—it highlights a deep commitment to family and responsibility.

She balanced long workdays with raising her children, preparing meals, and attending classes at night. That discipline and structure defined her approach to both life and business.

Her ability to manage multiple roles without compromise demonstrates a form of leadership that extends beyond titles—one rooted in responsibility and care.

A Legacy That Spans Generations

Today, Anita’s influence reaches across five generations. She remains active in her business, continuing to serve clients while mentoring family members and those around her.

Her story is not simply about building a career—it is about building a legacy grounded in values, resilience, and belief in one’s own potential.

As shared in her nomination:
“Anita exemplifies what a true Latina of Influence looks like… a trailblazer who refused to accept limitations and instead defined her own path.”

The HL | Milestone Series is a national platform designed to celebrate leadership across business, community, education, and innovation.

The 2026 HL | Milestone Series is made possible through the support of Wells Fargo, the series’ funding partner, whose commitment to community engagement and financial empowerment helps bring these important conversations and recognitions to life.

Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

Apr 16, 2026 | Entertainment, Events

Riverside Tamale Festival Celebrates 13 Years and a Historic Milestone for the Trujillo Adobe

A Riverside tradition rooted in culture, history, and community returns this spring with renewed significance. The 13th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival will take place on April 18, 2026, at White Park, bringing together families, community leaders, and visitors for a full day of celebration from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Presented by the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation, this year’s festival arrives at a defining moment. The historic Trujillo Adobe was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2025 an achievement that elevates both the site and the festival’s purpose.

A Celebration with Purpose

What began as a local gathering to share the story of the Trujillo Adobe has grown into the foundation’s primary fundraiser and one of the Inland Empire’s most anticipated cultural events.

Now under the stewardship of Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, the Adobe is part of a long-term vision that includes a future cultural and educational center. With more than $10.4 million in state funding secured, the next phase focuses on storytelling ensuring visitors understand the site’s historical importance.

This year, organizers are working toward a $50,000 fundraising goal to install educational panels at the future park, which is expected to be completed in 2028.

“This is the first Tamale Festival since the Trujillo Adobe was recognized on the National Register,” said Nancy Melendez. “It’s a meaningful milestone for our organization and for the community.”

Culture, Music, and Community—Todos Juntos

The 2026 theme, “Todos Juntos” (All Together), reflects both the spirit of the event and the broader cultural moment bringing people together through shared history, food, and experience.

Headlining this year’s festival is Ozomatli, the Los Angeles-based band known for blending Latin, hip-hop, funk, reggae, and global sounds. Celebrating over 30 years of music, their performance anchors a lineup designed to reflect the richness and rhythm of the community.

Additional highlights include:

  • Traditional folklórico dance performances
  • Mariachi music throughout the day
  • Live Lucha Libre wrestling exhibitions
  • Interactive cultural and family programming

Festival grounds will be organized to mirror the vision of the future Trujillo Adobe park:

  • La Placita – A central food and dining experience featuring more than 20 vendors serving tamales and regional cuisine
  • La Escuela Kids Zone – Storytelling, crafts, and educational activities for families
  • La Cantina – A beer garden and social gathering space
  • Artisan booths, community organizations, and retail vendors
  • A VIP lounge hosting the Best Tamale competition

Honoring Riverside’s Roots

The Riverside Tamale Festival is more than a food and music event it is a tribute to the region’s origins.

In 1842, Lorenzo Trujillo and ten pioneer families established the settlements of La Placita and Agua Mansa along the Santa Ana River. Their influence continues to shape Riverside and the broader Inland Empire today.

Event organizers emphasize that preserving this history is essential—not just for reflection, but for identity and connection.

“The Trujillo Adobe reminds us that our roots are deep, our culture is enduring, and our collective presence is powerful,” said Larissa Diaz-Hahn. “When we come together, we’re not just celebrating history we’re affirming that we belong here, and we always have.”

Join the Celebration

The 13th Annual Riverside Tamale Festival takes place:

  • Date: April 18, 2026
  • Time: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Location: White Park

Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

About the Spanish Town Heritage Foundation

The Spanish Town Heritage Foundation is dedicated to preserving and activating the historic Trujillo Adobe and the legacy of Riverside’s earliest settlements, including La Placita and Agua Mansa. Through cultural programming, education, and community events, the organization ensures that these stories remain accessible for future generations.

PHOTOS from the 2013 Riverside Tamale Festival

2013 Riverside Tamale Festival for for the Trujillo Adobe