LOS ANGELES, CA — November 19, 2021 — (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) — The National Association of Hispanic Publications, Inc. (NAHP) recently named Bel Hernandez as Publisher of the Year for her demonstrated excellence in publishing and service to the Latino community. Hernandez is the Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment, an online trade publication based in Los Angeles, California. The recognition couldn’t be more timely as it coincides with Latin Heat Entertainment’s 30th year anniversary.

NAHP’s founding president, Kirk Whisler, will present the Publisher of the Year Award to Bel Hernandez on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at an invitation-only industry event celebrating Latin Heat Entertainment’s 30th Anniversary. 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.

“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”, Hernandez reflected. “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”.

On the occasion of the 30 year anniversary, Latin Heat 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 shine brighter than ever as she recently landed the starring role in George Lopez’s Once Upon a Time in Atzlan! Catch her in season 2 of Gentefied currently streaming on Netflix.

Credited with expanding the coverage of Latinos in Hollywood, Hernandez, dubbed as “The Godmother of Latino Hollywood” by MovieMaker Magazine, has received many recognitions and has forged many alliances throughout the years, most notably with the mentor and former publisher of The Hollywood Reporter to promote the “crossover” coverage of Latinos.

Under her purview as CEO of Latin Heat Media, a multi-media company whose mission is to create content by Latinos and about Latinos for universal audiences, Hernandez wears many hats including Publisher of Latin Heat Entertainment, Executive Producer, and Co-Host of TheTRENDTalk Show, and co-founder of the outdoor festival LATINAFest. Hernandez was recently named to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s (HFPA) Credentials Committee who produce the Golden Globe Awards.

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 been recognized for her journalist endeavors with an ALMA Award, a Mujeres Destacadas Award from La Opinion, 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.