Julie Chávez Rodríguez: A Legacy of Organizing, Leadership, and Service

Oct 21, 2025 | Community

Julie Chávez Rodríguez: A Legacy of Organizing, Leadership, and Service

By Richard Sandoval | Hispanic Lifestyle

When you hear the name Julie Chávez Rodríguez, it immediately evokes a legacy of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to uplifting communities of color. As a seasoned political strategist and organizer, Julie has spent her career building bridges between government and the people, empowering communities to lead, and ensuring their voices are not only heard but shape the future.

From Grassroots to the National Stage

Julie most recently served as Campaign Manager for the re-election campaign of Vice President Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden a historic effort that mobilized more than 3,000 staff across seven battleground states. Before stepping into this pivotal national role, she served as Senior Advisor to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, maintaining direct relationships with governors, mayors, legislators, and local leaders across the United States and its territories.

Her leadership during the 2020 presidential campaign as Deputy Campaign Manager was instrumental in shaping the political, coalition, and surrogate strategy that helped drive voter engagement and turnout nationwide. This work built upon years of strategic leadership and organizing in California and Washington, D.C.

Building Power in Communities

Julie’s deep connection to California is reflected in her work as State Director and Senior Adviser to then Senator Kamala Harris. Under her leadership, she established five district offices, built a diverse staff of constituent service representatives, and advanced key initiatives, including rapid immigration response, tackling Black maternal mortality rates, and supporting re-entry and local hire programs.

Her ability to forge powerful alliances with labor and community organizations such as Service Employees International Union, UNITE HERE, Indivisible, and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) reflects her deep belief in collective action and shared purpose.

A Decade in the White House

Before returning to California, Julie spent nearly a decade in Washington, D.C., serving in The White House under President Barack Obama. As Special Assistant and Senior Deputy Director of Public Engagement, she built lasting coalitions around critical issues like DACA implementation, ACA enrollment, veteran affairs, and gun violence prevention. She led a team of liaisons overseeing outreach to Latino, AAPI, LGBT, veteran, youth, and labor communities ensuring the Administration’s agenda reflected the diversity of the nation.

Julie also served as Deputy Press Secretary at the United States Department of the Interior, where she supported national communications on conservation efforts, including work around the National Museum of the American Latino Commission and the BP Oil Spill response.

Rooted in the Movement

Julie’s commitment to public service began on the front lines of the labor movement. She received her first organizing training during the United Farm Workers strawberry campaign in the late 1990s and went on to serve as Programs Director for the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation. There, she partnered with the State of California, school districts across 10 states, and higher education institutions to develop youth engagement and community service programs that continue to inspire future leaders.

Julie Chávez Rodríguez’s story is more than a résumé it’s a testament to the power of organizing, strategic leadership, and a lifelong commitment to advancing equity and justice. Her journey continues to inspire a new generation of leaders determined to shape a better future.

Mari Hernandez | New President and CEO National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures

Oct 20, 2025 | Community

Mari Hernandez | New President and CEO National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures

The National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) has announced the appointment of Mari Hernandez as the organization’s new President and CEO. Hernandez, who joined NALAC in 2022 and most recently served as Deputy Director, steps into the role following the retirement of longtime leader María López De León, who guided the organization for more than 25 years.

“I am excited and deeply honored to lead the organization from this new position,” said Hernandez. “I look forward to working with our staff and partners to continue and strengthen NALAC’s legacy of investing in the critical work of Latinx/e artists and organizations. The arts and culture landscape is in a pivotal moment. Together, we will navigate the complexities facing us and continue to advance our collective impact across this country to build a more just and vibrant arts ecosystem.”

Mari Hernandez

President and CEO, National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC)

The NALAC Board Chair, Charles Rice-González, praised the appointment, noting Hernandez’s deep connection to the organization and the community it serves.

“The board is proud and pleased to announce Mari’s appointment. She is a steadfast leader, community builder, and a strong visionary in these urgent times,” said Rice-González. “After a nationwide search, it is so wonderful that the perfect candidate was a NALAC-grown leader who is an alum of our Leadership and Advocacy Institutes and who has already been leading the organization since Maria’s retirement. Mari has our full confidence, and we look forward to the new opportunities for growth and possibilities at NALAC as we transition into the next phase of the organization and lead through this challenging time in our country.”

A Legacy of Leadership and Artistic Practice

Hernandez brings more than 25 years of artistic practice and arts administration experience to her new role. During her time as NALAC’s Program Manager of Leadership Institutes & Convenings, she oversaw the planning and production of the organization’s professional development programs, including the NALAC Leadership Institute (NLI), NALAC Advocacy Institute (ALI), and NALAC’s participation in the Intercultural Leadership Institute (ILI).

Before joining NALAC, Hernandez served as Education Manager at the Contemporary at Blue Star, where she led strategic growth for the education department. She also previously served as Program Manager at San Anto Cultural Arts, directing programs that fostered human and community growth through the arts.

As an artist, Hernandez has been widely recognized for her work. She was a finalist in the 2022 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition at the National Portrait Gallery and has exhibited her art locally, nationally, and internationally. She is also an alum of NALAC’s own Leadership and Advocacy Institutes, embodying the organization’s commitment to cultivating leaders from within the arts community.

About NALAC

Founded in 1989, the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) is the nation’s premier nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to promoting, advancing, and developing the Latino arts field. NALAC provides critical support, resources, and advocacy for Latinx/e artists, cultural workers, and organizations across the country.

For more information, visit www.nalac.org

California Leads Through Connections

Oct 19, 2025 | Community

California Leads Through Connections

As Federal Government Attacks Communities and Shuts Down, California Steps Up: California Connects Strengthens Community Networks

By Richard Sandoval for HispanicLifestyle.com and inlandvalleyliving.com

Anaheim, California – As national uncertainty grows and federal support for vulnerable communities falters, California is responding with its own brand of leadership. On October 16, 2025, more than 100 community-based organizations, state agencies, and philanthropic partners gathered at the Sheraton Park Hotel in Anaheim for California Connects: Regional Convenings, a statewide series organized by California Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC).

This initiative isn’t just another conference. It’s a deliberate strategy to build trust, strengthen local networks, and expand access to state resources for communities on the frontlines.

“This is about creating new partnerships, building capacity, and making sure communities across California are seen and heard,”

Aubrie Fong

Acting Executive Director, California Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC)

Building Partnerships Face-to-Face

Standing in a packed ballroom, Aubrie Fong explained the importance of bringing partners together in person after years of virtual convenings.

“We’ve hosted online gatherings, but this is the first time we’re meeting face-to-face,” Fong shared. “We’re hearing incredible energy and motivation. Our call to action is simple: make a follow-up connection within the next 7 to 10 days. Don’t let this be a one-day event. Build something new together.”

For OCPSC, the mission goes beyond one convening. It’s about establishing long-term collaboration between local organizations, state agencies, and government partners.
Learn more at ocpsc.ca.gov.

One of the featured of the event was Thomas J. Umberg, representing California’s 34th Senate District, who praised the collaboration between nonprofits and government:

“This is a wonderful gathering of folks dedicated to improving the quality of life for Californians. By combining the work of nonprofits and government, we can deliver services more efficiently and effectively. I always tell my colleagues in Sacramentocome and see the work happening in our communities. The impact speaks for itself.”

Voices From the Community

This convening wasn’t about top-down announcements. It was about listening to the people who do the work every day. Several leaders shared their perspectives on the ground.

Mario Ortega | Abrazar Inc.

For Abrazar Inc., which has served the community for 50 years, collaboration has always been at the heart of their mission.

“We started as a senior center,” shared Mario Ortega, CEO of Abrazar Inc. “Today, we serve families, children, and older adults through food distribution, after-school programs, and financial coaching. Our partnership with OCPSC opened doors with local government—it showed that trusted nonprofits can deliver.”

Ortega also underscored the urgency of working together in challenging times:

“All of us are facing financial pressures. The only way to continue serving is to collaborate like never before.”

Abrazar is actively fundraising to upgrade its transportation fleet. abrazarinc.com

RaShonda M. Montoya | Ontario Promise

RaShonda M. Montoya, Administrator of Ontario Promise, spoke powerfully about supporting young people in working-class communities.

“We serve youth from birth through their first year of college,” Montoya explained. “In Ontario, 20% of youth report feeling hopeless, and many are facing tough economic realities. Our literacy, mentoring, and college access programs help young people see a future beyond their immediate circumstances.”

She encouraged partners and volunteers to get involved

Dayanna Covarrubias | Casa de la Familia

For Casa de la Familia, trust is everything.

“Since 2020, OCPSC has learned to listen to communities and trust the messengers who know their neighborhoods best,” said Dayanna Covarrubias. “We’ve partnered on everything from extreme heat alerts to water conservation campaigns. When the message comes from trusted networks, people respond.”

Covarrubias emphasized how meaningful collaboration allows life-saving information to reach those who need it most.

EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS TAKEN BY RICHARD SANDOVAL

A Statewide Movement

California Connects is more than a convening it’s a movement to fortify community infrastructure. By investing in partnerships, capacity-building, and direct access to resources, the state aims to ensure that communities can withstand political uncertainty and economic instability.

“We’re building new relationships and expanding our network of trusted messengers,” Fong said. “This is just the beginning.”

The Anaheim convening is one of several planned across California, signaling the state’s ongoing commitment to community resilience and collaboration.

ABOUT OCPSC
The Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC) is the state’s central hub for community engagement and public awareness initiatives. Working alongside trusted messengers, OCPSC bridges equity gaps and ensures that state programs reach the communities that need them most.
Website: ocpsc.ca.gov

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.

Through Our Lens | Hollywood in Focus

Oct 2, 2025 | Entertainment

Through Our Lens | Hollywood in Focus

Highlight the achievements, talents, and stories of the entertainers shaping our culture.

By Richard Sandoval

I’ve been in the media industry for 30 years. I mark my “official” start in August 1995, when I picked up the very first edition of a newsletter I produced called the Inland Empire Hispanic Business Update.

What began with the printed word soon evolved into video postings and a television program that broadcasted on several PBS stations throughout the United States. My first celebrity sit-down interview was with actress Maria Canals-Barrera, and I vividly remember showing off my brand-new camera at the time. As technology advanced, so did my passion. I invested in better cameras, which opened the door to still photography.

By 2004, I began taking photography seriously, and by 2010, I was fully committed to honing my craft behind the lens. Since then, every interview I’ve conducted has often been accompanied by a camera in hand, capturing candid moments that bring stories to life. I love preserving the passions, expressions, and insights that emerge during an interview.

Capturing the Community at Its Best
I’ve lost count of how many people I’ve interviewed and photographed over the years it’s safe to say it’s a lot. My guiding belief has always been that our community deserves to be showcased at its very best. We work hard to select images that represent the authenticity and energy of each moment.
From Hispanic Lifestyle in-person productions to Hollywood red-carpet events, we’ve documented countless memories. Our platform has featured more than 30,000 photographs and received millions of views. Many of these high-resolution images appear on HispanicLifestyle.com and are often integrated into our video features.

Thank you for being part of my journey and for taking the time to view and share these images.

Behind the Lens: My Tools of the Trade

Today, I use a combination of tools to capture images and video:
iPhone 15 (with plans to upgrade to the 17 soon)
Canon XF605 Video Camera
Canon EOS R6 Mark II

For editing, I work on a Mac Pro with the M2 Ultra chip, using Final Cut Pro X for video and Pixelmator Pro for photo editing and graphic design. These tools help me deliver the quality content that reflects our community’s vibrancy.

Faces We’ve Captured
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of photographing and interviewing a remarkable list of artists, entertainers, athletes, and community icons, including:
Gina Rodriguez, John Leguizamo, Eva LaRue, Justina Machado, Efren Ramirez, Michelle Rodriguez, Yvonne DeLaRosa, Aimee Garcia, Eva Longoria, Lana Parrilla, Cote de Pablo, Andy Garcia, Antonio Banderas, Cesar Millan, Aubrey Plaza, Francia Raisa, Salma Hayek, Jessica Alba, Mariachi Divas, Danny Pino, Christina Aguilera, Josefina Lopez, Daisy Fuentes, Natalie Martinez, Simone Biles, Robert Rodriguez, Rosario Dawson, Mario Lopez, Kate del Castillo, Stephanie Beatriz, Lou Diamond Phillips, Wilmer Valderrama, Benjamin Bratt, Esai Morales, Charo, Jenni Rivera, Kenny Ortega, Constance Marie, Cheech Marin, Zoe Saldana — and so many more.

These moments remind me why I started: to highlight the achievements, talents, and stories of the people shaping our culture.