This year, the National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP) named Latin Heat Entertainment’s Bel Hernandez as Publisher of the Year for her demonstrated excellence in publishing and service to the Latino community in the entertainment industry. The recognition couldn’t be more timely as it coincides with Latin Heat Entertainment’s 30th year anniversary.
On the occasion of the 30 year anniversary, Latin Heat, an online trade publication, is launching the Latin Heat Rising Star Award which will be awarded to a talent who is stepping into the spotlight in a major way. This year, actress Annie Gonzalez is the recipient of the Rising Star Award. Gonzalez’s breakout role came in Netflix’s Gentefied, which led to landing a starring role in Eva Longoria’s directorial feature film debut Flamin’ Hot. And Gonzalez’s star continues to rise and is shining brighter than ever as she recently landed the starring role in George Lopez’s Once Upon a Time in Aztlan! Presently, Gonzalez can be seen in season 2 of Gentefied currently streaming on Netflix.
Credited with expanding the coverage of Latinos in Hollywood, Hernandez was dubbed “The Godmother of Latino Hollywood” by MovieMaker Magazine. Throughout her 30 year career in the entertainment industry, she has received several accolades and has forged many alliances, including with her mentor and the former publisher of The Hollywood Reporter to promote the “crossover” coverage of Latinos. Most recently, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that produces the Golden Globe Awards, appointed Hernandez to the HFPA Credentials Committee.
“Looking back, I reflect on where we were back then as a creative community, it was the independent Latino directors creating the opportunities for Latinos. Gregory Nava (Selena, El Norte), Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Desperado), Miguel Arteta (Star Maps), Edward James Olmos (Stand and Deliver, American Me) and others”, reflected Hernandez. “Fast forward 30 years and now there is a cadre of Latino creatives who continue to cast authentically and create the future stars of Hollywood who happen to be Latino”.
In celebration of Latin Heat’s 30th Anniversary, an invitation-only industry event will take place on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 where NAHP’s founding president, Kirk Whisler, will present the Publisher of the Year Award to Bel Hernandez. The celebrity red carpet event is sponsored by Neft Vodka and will benefit Brighter Future Charity, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization devoted to enriching and empowering the lives of youth, adults and families within the Autism community.
Under her purview as CEO of Latin Heat Media (LHM), a multi-media company whose mission is to create content by Latinos and about Latinos for universal audiences, LHM produces TheTRENDTalk Show and is co-founder of LATINAFest, a festival that celebrates all things Latina.
In addition to running her own media company, Hernandez believes in giving back to the community. She serves on the Advisory Boards for Farmworker Justice and the Mexican American Cultural Education Foundation. Hernandez has also been recognized by the Hispanic Public Relations Association, Latina Style Magazine, Hispanic Lifestyle, National Hispanic Health Foundation, National Hispanic Media Coalition, the City of Los Angeles, and the Women in Theater Festival and has received a Mujeres Destacadas Award from La Opinión and an ALMA Award for her journalist endeavors.