Longoria joins Formerly announced Honorees John Echeveste, Thomas A. Saenz and Bel Hernandez
The Farmworker Justice Awards – Los Angeles is celebrating 40 years of serving the needs of U.S. farmworkers as they kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. Hollywood celebrities and Latino community leaders will attend as the organization recognizes turn out to recognizing leaders of the Latino community for their social impact. The honorees include Eva Longoria, award-winning actress, producer, director, entrepreneur, activist, and advocate for the rights of farmworkers; John Echeveste, CEO of LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes; Thomas A. Saenz, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF); and Bel Hernandez, CEO of Latin Heat Media and Chair of the Farmworker Justice Advisory Council, Tuesday, September 14 at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in downtown Los Angeles.
This event, presented by Pepsico, is becoming one of the most important charity events in Los Angeles this year. The Farmworker Justice awards hosted by Jordi Vilasuso (The Young and the Restless) provide an opportunity to bring together supporters and contributors from the business, legal, government, and nonprofit communities to report and highlight Farmworker Justice’s important work. It also serves to recognize individuals, businesses and other organizations that have demonstrated leadership, commitment, dedication, and sacrifice to address the ongoing plight that farmworkers face each and every day in America.
Confirmed celebrities and VIPs include several members of the cast of Eva Longoria’s directorial feature film debut Flamin’ Hot, the rags to riches story of Richard Montañez who is credited with having helped invented the Flaimin’ Hot Cheetos snack. The two leads of the film, Annie Gonzalez plays the lead role of Judy Montañez and Jesse Garcia who plays the lead character of Richard Montañez will be in attendance. Additional Flamin’ Hot cast members include Pepe Serna (With Love, Scarface), Eric Marq (Flamin’ Hot) and Fabian Alomar (Mayans M.C.).
Dolores Huerta, civil rights icon co-founder of the United Farm Workers and President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation will set the stage with her keynote remarks. Actress/psychotherapist Julie Carmen will do the introduction.
Joining in the celebration will be guitar virtuoso and pop culture icon, Charo; actress Alma Martinez (Gentefied); Edy Ganem (Devious Maids); actor/director Enrique Castillo (Weeds, Blood In, Blood Out); Laura Patalano (Gentefied); Yareli Arizmendi (A Day Without a Mexican); Karina Noelle Castillo (The Good Doctor); Joseph Raymond Lucero (Mayans M.C.); Dan Guerrero (¡Gaytino!); director/musician Sergio Arau (A Day Without a Mexican); Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer (Hadestown); Alfonso Illan (The Forever Purge); Angel Garet (The First Wives Club). Josefina Lopez (Real Women Have Curves); actor/director Mauricio Mendoza (True Form Films); JM Longoria (Miracles from Heaven, Bibi); Carlos Carrasco (Blood In, Blood Out); Hector Atreyu Ruiz (Las Carpas); singer Catie Waters, rapper Melo Menace; recording artist Leyo Mendez; former NFL Placekicker Tony Zendejas; José Luis Valenzuela (Director, LATC); former NFL kicker Frank Corral; Evelina Fernandez (Actress, Screenwriter); Marabina Jaimes (Emmy Award-winning host/actress); and Naibe Reynoso, Co-Founder Latinafest, LA CO. Channel news anchor, founder Con Todo Press.
Expected to attend: Jacob Vargas (Mr. Iglesias), Emilio Rivera (Mayans M.C.); and many more.
NOTE: COVID-19 Guidelines will be in effect. All attendees, volunteers and staff will be required to show proof of vaccination before entering the event. A negative COVID-19 test taken within the last 72 hours before the event will also be accepted.
Bruce Goldstein, Farmworker Justice President, of the national advocacy organization for farmworkers will give the opening remarks. The organization, which was founded in 1981 collaborates with organizations throughout the country to empower farmworkers to improve their wages, working conditions, occupational safety, health immigration status and access to justice.
Paintings by Master Chicano Artist Yolanda Gonzalez on sale to benefit Farmworker Justice.
There will be an auction that will be conducted by the inimitable Charo joins Farmworker Justice Director of Development, David Damian Figueroa.
The event is designed by Ricardo Soltero, scenery director and stage set designer for the annual Hollywood Forever Día de los Muertos celebration.
SOCIALS: Instagram: @Farmworkerjustice; FB: @Farmworkerjustice;
TW: @FarmwrkrJustice.
Hashtags: #handsthatfeedus; #fairwages; #farmworkerjustice #farmworkerjusticeawards #40thanniversary
For more information visit the Farmworker Justice website at www.farmworkerjustice.org and follow #HandsThatFeedUs.