(HISPANICIZE WIRE) – U.S. Olympic gymnastics gold and silver medalist and Dancing with the Stars champion Laurie Hernandez, the 16-year-old dynamo who blazed into America’s heart during the Olympic Games Rio 2016, will be awarded with the 2017 Latinovator Award at the eighth annual Hispanicize 2017 Week, April 3-6 (www.HispanicizeEvent.com).
“Laurie’s achievements bring an instant smile to everyone because in addition to being a great Olympic champion, she represents a new wave of Latinas who dare to dream big and confidently shine as they reshape the face of America,” said Manny Ruiz, founder and CEO of the Hispanicize Media Group that owns Hispanicize Event. ”We are delighted to welcome Laurie to Hispanicize at the start of what is sure to be a legacy-making sports and celebrity-filled career.”
Born in New Brunswick, NJ to Wanda, a social worker and Anthony Hernandez, a New York City county clerk, Laurie began taking gymnastics at age five after she became bored with dance class. Nicknamed the “Human Emoji”, the 16-year-old gymnast is the first U.S. born Latina to join the U.S. women’s gymnastics team since 1984 and was also one of the youngest members of the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team. Most recently, the breakthrough star released her first book “I Got This: To Gold and Beyond.”
At Hispanicize, Laurie will take center stage at the Latinovator Award lunch on Tuesday, April 4th, sponsored by Crest® in partnership with P&G Orgullosa, for whom she’s a national spokesperson. To celebrate this prestigious recognition with conference attendees, Laurie will also be available in the Crest and P&G Orgullosa suite for a meet-and-greet and photo opportunities. For scheduling details follow @Orgullosa on social media.
Established in 2012, the Latinovator Awards recognize Latino celebrities, business professionals and other high achievers who have become crossover successes or whose stories of achievements are remarkable or inspirational. Each of the innovators will be presented individually with their awards at a special general session and discuss their inspirations, challenges, business habits and road to success.
Laurie joins the 2017 Latinovator Award class that already includes Noticias Telemundo and NBC News anchor Jose Diaz-Balart.
Previous Latinovator recipients include acting legend Rita Moreno, television icon Don Francisco, veteran actor Luis Guzman, journalist Soledad O’Brien, iconic producer Emilio Estefan, news anchor Maria Elena Salinas, famed musician Sheila E., Cuban dissident and blogger Yoani Sanchez, actor Carlos Ponce and others.
Shade Global 