Culture & Influence | WHAT’S NEXT

Culture & Influence | WHAT’S NEXT

Jul 23, 2026 | Culture and Influence

ISSUE 01 | July 2026

WHAT’S NEXT

MILESTONE SERIES
Recognizing Leadership

JUDITH VALLES
The Passsing of a Leader

MONEY & WEALTH
Silicon Valley

A Question
Worth Asking

ANDY GARCIA
Lifetime Achievement

WEALTH REPORT
Insights from Luis Alvarado

here are moments in every journey when you realize your perspective has changed.

For me, that moment came while standing along the waterfront in Lower Manhattan, camera in hand, just days after our HL | Milestone Series event in the Bronx. Looking across the New York skyline, I wasn’t simply photographing another city. I was reflecting on more than three decades of conversations, relationships, and experiences that began in California and have gradually expanded across the country.

That photograph became the inspiration for the cover of this inaugural edition of Culture & Influence, a publication of HL Media Network.

Since publishing our first newsletter in 1995 and launching Inland Empire Hispanic Lifestyle Magazine in 1997, our mission has remained remarkably consistent: to discover, document, and share the stories of people and organizations making a meaningful difference in their communities. While our platform has evolved into HispanicLifestyle.com and HL Media Network, our purpose has never changed.

What has changed is the scope of the conversation.

Today, influence is no longer defined by geography alone. Ideas move across industries, technology is transforming how we live and work, and leadership continues to emerge from places and people that may have once gone unnoticed. Understanding where those ideas originate, how they grow, and why they matter has never been more important.

That is the purpose of Culture & Influence.

This publication is dedicated to exploring the people, organizations, ideas, and experiences shaping our communities, our economy, and our culture. Through thoughtful journalism, compelling photography, meaningful conversations, and in-person experiences, we hope to provide context, celebrate achievement, and encourage dialogue that informs and inspires.

About the Cover Photograph

Lower Manhattan, New York City
Photographed by Richard Sandoval | May 2026

Captured just days after the HL | Milestone Series event in the Bronx, this photograph represents more than the New York skyline. It reflects a moment of perspective and possibility. While our story began in California, the conversations we are documenting and the relationships that inspire them—continue to expand across the United States.

Our cover asks a simple question:  What’s Next?

It is a question we intend to keep asking.

Not because we believe we have all the answers, but because curiosity, thoughtful conversation, and a willingness to understand different perspectives have always been at the heart of meaningful progress.

Thank you for joining us as we introduce Culture & Influence. Whether you’ve been with us since our earliest publications or are discovering our work for the first time, we’re grateful you’re here.

The conversation continues.

Richard Sandoval
President & Founder HL Media Network Inc.

In This Edition

Welcome to the inaugural edition of HL | Culture & Influence, a publication by HL Media Network.

For more than three decades, our mission has remained remarkably consistent: to discover, document, and share the stories of the people, organizations, and ideas shaping our communities. What has changed is the way we tell those stories and the conversations we believe are most important to explore.

A collection of recent stories exploring leadership, business, wealth, travel, and the people shaping our communities.

Coming Conversations

We’re already working on the next edition, featuring new conversations, fresh perspectives, and stories from across the country. We hope you’ll return and continue the journey with us.

Thank you for joining us as we begin this next chapter. We look forward to continuing the conversation and sharing new stories with you in the editions ahead.

Richard Sandoval
President & Founder, HL Media Network Inc.

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Expanding Financial Access in Underinvested Communities

Expanding Financial Access in Underinvested Communities

Jan 27, 2026 | Money, Finances & Wealth

Expanding Financial Access in Underinvested Communities

How a $75 million federal investment is driving education, healthcare, and long-term economic mobility

Access to capital remains one of the most powerful drivers of long-term wealth creation and economic stability. This month, City First Bank announced it has been awarded a $75 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation from the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund)—a significant infusion of federal investment aimed at accelerating economic growth in underinvested communities across the United States.

The New Markets Tax Credit program is designed to channel private capital into projects that traditional financing often overlooks. For City First Bank, the latest allocation builds on a proven track record. Since the program’s inception, the bank has deployed $548 million in NMTC financing, supporting 54 projects focused primarily on education and healthcare infrastructure—two sectors closely tied to upward economic mobility and long-term community wealth.

“This allocation is catalytic,” said Brian Argrett, President and CEO of City First Bank. “It enables us to partner with mission-driven organizations and deliver capital where it can create durable, generational impact.”

Capital as a Tool for Economic Mobility

From a finance and wealth perspective, NMTC allocations represent more than community investment—they are a strategic mechanism for reducing systemic capital gaps. By supporting schools, healthcare facilities, and nonprofit institutions in low-income areas, these investments help stabilize neighborhoods, attract additional private funding, and expand access to essential services that underpin workforce participation and small business growth.
City First Bank’s approach reflects a growing shift within values-driven banking: deploying structured capital to unlock long-term economic returns that extend beyond quarterly profit metrics.

Strengthening Governance and Oversight

As part of its continued expansion, City First Bank also announced new appointments to its NMTC Advisory Council, reinforcing its commitment to disciplined investment and community-centered strategy:

  • Desmond Marshall, a Chicago-based community development leader with extensive experience scaling mission-driven organizations
  • Dr. Marla Dean, a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit strategist with deep expertise in education and next-generation economic mobility models

Their additions bring increased oversight and sector-specific insight at a time when demand for impact-focused capital continues to rise.

The Bigger Picture for Finance and Wealth

For financial institutions, investors, and policymakers, the latest NMTC allocation highlights how federal tools—when paired with experienced community lenders—can serve as catalysts for inclusive growth. As conversations around equitable finance and access to capital evolve, programs like NMTC remain central to expanding opportunity in communities historically left outside traditional banking systems.

About City First Bank

City First Bank provides commercial lending, financial services, and deposit products that support affordable housing, small businesses, and nonprofit community facilities in underinvested neighborhoods. The bank is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), a Certified B Corporation, and a member of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values.
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender

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Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

Dec 3, 2025 | Community

Hispanic Lifestyle Relaunches as HL: A Reimagined Platform Celebrating Culture & Influence

The climate of our country and the media industry has changed drastically over the last 11 months. To stay relevant, to remain useful, and to continue honoring our community, it became necessary to rebrand, reimagine, and completely rework how we show up and serve.
Through my travels, conversations with colleagues, advertisers, creators, and community leaders and by watching the trends shaping our world I came to one undeniable conclusion: the Latino community continues to be underserved, undervalued, and underrepresented across far too many sectors.

Hispanic Lifestyle now known as “HL | Culture & Influence”

Our community has earned the right to be respected, acknowledged, and celebrated. And while we do not speak with a single voice, we represent a powerful spectrum of perspectives, cultures, and lived experiences. We must do a better job of telling our stories, highlighting our achievements, and being consistent, diligent, and unapologetic about showcasing our excellence.

After 30 years of producing content and events, I remain driven to do better—to go deeper, expand our reach, and collaborate with partners who share our commitment to elevating the voices that deserve to be heard.

At HL, our purpose is simple:
to capture the culture and influence of the community and ensure our stories are seen, valued, and remembered.

With our relaunch, Hispanic Lifestyle now known as HL | Culture & Influence enters a bold new chapter in our evolution as a media company. In our corner of the internet, our editorial focus remains clear: to raise, amplify, and honor the voices and stories shaping our community’s future.

In the months ahead, you will see expanded editorial categories, new online series, renewed storytelling, and fresh opportunities for engagement and collaboration. I invite you to explore the new HispanicLifestyle.com and join us as we build the next chapter of community-centered media.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Buckle up friends, there is so much more we are ready to share with you.

Richard Sandoval,
President & Executive Producer, HL

Please support our efforts by joining HL Partner Network

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Introducing | Culture & Influence Update

Introducing | Culture & Influence Update

Dec 2, 2025 | Culture and Influence

Introducing | Culture & Influence Update

Your bi-weekly guide to the stories, people, and experiences shaping our community.
HispanicLifestyle.com | InlandValleyLiving.com

Hispanic Lifestyle, a leading voice in storytelling and community-focused media for more than 30 years, is proud to announce the launch of its newly reimagined bi-weekly newsletter: Culture & Influence Update.

The Culture & Influence Update is designed to bring readers the latest stories, videos, interviews, features, and community highlights from HispanicLifestyle.com and InlandValleyLiving.com, delivering a unified editorial experience that reflects the people, culture, and innovations shaping Latino life across the country and especially throughout Southern California.

“Our community deserves trusted content that reflects both our cultural influence and our everyday experiences. The Culture & Influence Update gives our readers a curated, inspiring, and informative look at the stories we’re producing across business, lifestyle, health, finance, travel, and more.”

Richard Sandoval

President , Hispanic Lifestyle

A Fresh Editorial Approach Rooted in Culture & Influence

The launch of the Culture & Influence Update represents a major step in Hispanic Lifestyle’s platform evolution, aligning with its strengthened editorial mission:

To capture, showcase, and celebrate the culture and influence of the Latino community.

Every issue will feature a curated collection of:

  • Top stories and features from HispanicLifestyle.com

  • Business, community, and regional highlights from InlandValleyLiving.com

  • Insights from newly launched categories including
    Money, Finances & Wealth,
    Health & Wellness,
    Fashion & Beauty,
    Auto & Mobility, and
    The Way We Travel

  • Video interviews and podcast segments from Creative Conversations and the upcoming Culture & Influence Video Podcast

  • Event announcements including
    the Culture & Influence Awards,  and
    Women | Business | Wellness Summit

  • HL Partner Network highlights featuring businesses, nonprofits, and organizations making an impact

With its new name and expanded editorial approach, the newsletter becomes the central hub that connects the full Hispanic Lifestyle ecosystem digital, video, events, and regional storytelling.

Serving a Growing and Influential Audience

Hispanic Lifestyle reaches a broad and engaged readership:

  • Over 3 million website visitors annually

  • 11 million+ page views

  • An audience that is 70% Latina decision-makers between ages 30–55

  • Strong video engagement through HLTV, YouTube, and social platforms

  • A growing Inland Empire audience through InlandValleyLiving.com

The Culture & Influence Update will serve as the bi-weekly touchpoint for these audiences, offering both inspiration and practical insight.

Opportunities for Partners

Organizations, corporations, and community partners will have the opportunity to connect with Hispanic Lifestyle’s readership through:

  • Newsletter sponsorship

  • Featured partner stories

  • Video integrations

  • Content collaborations

  • Participation in the HL Partner Network

For partnership inquiries, please contact: Richard Sandoval, @ RDS@Hispaniclifestyle.com

Partnership Opportunities Available

The Culture & Influence Update is our bi-weekly email newsletter connecting readers to stories, video features, and events from HispanicLifestyle.com and InlandValleyLiving.com.

Our audience includes:

  • Latino professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs

  • Community leaders, nonprofits, and public agencies

  • Women 30–55 who are primary decision-makers in the home

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Options:

Level Rate (Example) Includes
Presenting Newsletter Sponsor $2,500 / month “Presented by” branding on header, sponsored message block, logo + link, mention in social posts promoting the newsletter
Edition Sponsor $750 / issue Sponsor block (mid-newsletter), logo + link, 1 short call-to-action paragraph
Partner Mention Included in HL Partner Network tiers Logo in footer + link to Partner page

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Meet Gina Saad and YourPersonal broker.com

Meet Gina Saad and YourPersonal broker.com

Oct 10, 2025 | Business

Meet Gina Saad and YourPersonal broker.com

A Legacy in Real Estate, A Vision for the Future

 

For more than 25 years, Gina Saad has dedicated her career to helping Californians achieve the dream of homeownership. A proud California native born in Brawley, raised in West Covina, and later a homeowner in Victorville at just 19 years old, Saad’s journey in real estate began early.

“My dad was a real estate broker. He got his license in 1975, so it was truly the family business,” she shared. “I earned my license at 18 and my broker’s license at 21. From the beginning, I had a passion for helping homebuyers attain the American dream.”

Over the years, Gina has held leadership positions in multiple real estate franchise brokerages, most recently serving as a managing broker for a large cloud-based firm overseeing thousands of agents across California. It was during this time she recognized a critical issue in the industry a training and comprehension gap affecting many new agents entering the field.

Bridging the Gap: YourPersonalBroker.com

“Many agents are launched into the industry without fully understanding the day-to-day contracts they need to work with,” Gina explained. “That’s why I created YourPersonalBroker.com to support brokers as they train and guide their agents.”

Unlike most tools that focus exclusively on agents, Gina’s platform centers on broker support.

“Sometimes a broker needs a broker,” she said. “Brokers are expected to do it all  lead, train, recruit, market, supervise. My goal is to give them back time in their day and provide a system that supports their agents 24/7.”

Your Personal Broker combines in-person training with AI-powered on-demand support through its proprietary ASK tool. This innovative platform allows agents to access  real-time forms clarity and professional communication support at any hour, addressing the reality that real estate doesn’t stop at 5 p.m.

Technology Meets Experience

“Brokers want to support their agents, but the truth is, time is scarce,” Gina noted. “If ASK can give brokers back even an hour a day or a week to focus on growing their business, recruiting, or marketing, then we’ve created something meaningful. It’s a time-saving partner for brokers and their agents.”

The ASK platform is fully web-based and accessible through yourpersonalbroker.com , integrating next-generation AI support with Gina’s hands-on approach.

Rooted in Community and Family

Gina lives with her family in Yucaipa, California. She credits her husband and three daughters for their unwavering support as she embarks on this new chapter.

“As a woman business owner, launching YourPersonal broker.com during Women’s Small Business Month is incredibly special,” she said. “I’m proud to build something that uplifts an industry I’ve loved my entire life.”

Connect with Your Personal Broker

Brokers and agents can visit yourpersonalbroker.com to sign up and explore ASK, or follow the company on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok at YourPersonalBroker.com or https://www.yourpersonalbroker.com/

About Gina Saad:


Gina Saad is a California real estate broker with more than 25 years of leadership experience. A second-generation real estate professional, she has overseen thousands of agents statewide and is passionate about bridging the training gap in the industry.

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