2020 UnidosUS Capital Awards to Recognize Bipartisan Leaders and Courageous Changemakers in a First-Time Virtual Experience

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WASHINGTON, DC—UnidosUS (formerly National Council of La Raza), the nation’s largest Latino civil rights organization, will celebrate its first-ever virtual annual Capital Awards. The event is one of the country’s premier Hispanic events that recognizes bipartisan leaders who have championed policies and legislation to empower and strengthen the Latino community. In addition, UnidosUS will honor changemakers outside of politics who courageously and tirelessly advocate on behalf of the Latino community with the Capital Award for Public Service.

Among the evening’s honorees are Michael Steele, the Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor and Former Chair of the Republican National Committee, as well as Xavier Becerra, the 33rd Attorney General of California.

UnidosUS will present its Public Service Award to eight El Paso organizations for their collective work in support of the El Paso community and more recently for their courage and dedication to supporting the community after the mass shooting on August 3, 2019:

  • Annunciation House
  • Border Network for Human Rights
  • UnidosUS Affiliate Centro De Salud Familiar La Fe
  • Hope Border Institute
  • UnidosUS Affiliate Project BRAVO
  • UnidosUS Affiliate Project Vida
  • Texas RioGrande Legal Aid
  • UnidosUS Affiliate YWCA El Paso del Norte Region

In addition, we will be highlighting our Annual Awardees during the program. This distinction is typically given in person at the UnidosUS Annual Conference. Since this year’s conference was an abbreviated format, the Annual Awardees will instead be presented during the 2020 Capital Awards virtual gala.

The Annual Awardees this year are: The Graciela Olivarez La Raza Award to social justice activist and philanthropist Henry Muñoz; The Maclovio Barraza Award for Leadership to Co-Founder and Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance Ai-jen Poo; the Ruben Salazar Award for Communications to CBS News political correspondent Ed O’Keefe; the Roberto Clemente Award for Sports Excellence to 2016 Olympic Gold and Silver Gymnastics Medalist Laurie Hernandez; and the Raul Yzaguirre President’s Award to Prudential Financial. Centro Campesino in Florida City, Fla., is the UnidosUS Affiliate of the year.

Comedian, Writer, Actor and Producer Al Madrigal; Writer, Performer and Community Organizer Noel Quiñones and Grammy Award-Winning music group Ozomatli will perform original pieces created for UnidosUS.

Erika Gonzalez, anchor at NBC4 Washington, will host the virtual gala. Wells Fargo is the presenting sponsor and Nationwide the event Chair. Vice Chairs include Bristol Myers Squibb, Target, Univision Communications Inc., UPS and Verizon.

Press who wish to cover the event should RSVP at https://www.capitalawards20.com/rsvp.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: 2020 UnidosUS Capital Awards

WHEN: Tuesday, September 15, 2020, 6-7:15 PM ET

WHERE:RSVP to Join: https://www.capitalawards20.com/rsvp

WHO: Janet Murguía, President and CEO, UnidosUS

Michael Steele, Former Maryland Lieutenant Governor and

Former Chair of the Republican National Committee

Xavier Becerra, 33rd Attorney General of California