Summer Vacation 2026

Summer Vacation 2026

Aug 19, 2026 | Culture and Influence, The Way We Travel

ISSUE 02 | August 2026

SUMMER VACATION

Message from Richard Sandoval

Looking Back. Looking Around. Looking Forward.

ne of the things I have always enjoyed about what we do is that you never quite know where the next story will take us.

 In this edition of HL | Culture & Influence, we recognize the career and contributions of Patricia Pérez as she begins her next chapter. We travel to Los Cabos, not looking for a story, but discovering one during a summer family vacation. We consider what happens to our communities when familiar local voices suddenly go silent. We reach into the Hispanic Lifestyle archives to revisit Halloween memories from Disneyland that, more than a decade later, continue to find a new audience.

Leadership. Travel. Media. Culture. Memories.

On the surface, they may seem like very different stories. I believe that is precisely the point.

This edition gives us an opportunity to look back at the people and moments worth remembering, look around at the places and changes shaping our experiences today, and look forward to the stories still waiting to be discovered.

For more than 30 years, Hispanic Lifestyle has been about discovering, documenting and sharing the people, places, organizations and experiences that define our communities. Culture & Influence brings those stories together some new, some rediscovered, and all worth sharing.

We invite you to settle in and enjoy the stories.

Richard Sandoval
Publisher
HL | Culture & Influence – HL | Media Network

About the Cover Photograph

Los Cabos, Mexico
Photographed by Richard Sandoval | August 2026

While walking through Hilton Los Cabos, I noticed several hallways and passageways that opened to magnificent views of the property and the landscape beyond. It was not lost on me what the architects and designers were trying to accomplish. The architecture seemed to intentionally frame each view, allowing the artwork, furnishings, natural light and surrounding landscape to complement one another.

These are carefully designed commercial spaces, yet nothing felt accidental. Everything seemed to work together. This photograph captured one of those moments when architecture, art and the natural beauty of Los Cabos became part of the same composition.

FEATURED ARTICLES

COMMUNITY
When Local Voices Go Silent

FROM OUR ARCHIVES
Disneyland Halloween 2009

THE WAY WE TRAVEL
Los Cabos

SPOTLIGHT
Westchester County, NY

PATRICIA PÉREZ
Setting the Standard

SPOTLIGHT
Flour, Faith and Sugar

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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.

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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