The Hispanic Alliance has the pleasure of introducing you to its signature event
La Fiesta is a vibrant celebration of Latin cultures, celebrating six years of honoring the trailblazing leaders who are
building a more inclusive Upstate.
Guests are immersed in a world of Latin music, dance, and flavors; featuring fine cuisine and wines from Latin America and Spain.
Did you join us for our most recent La Fiesta? Enjoy shots of your friends and colleagues, supporting our work and letting loose,
in our 2019 Gallery.
Relive the excitement and growth of the previous five years of La Fiesta with our Look-Book feature. Venues and fashion may change, but the joy in our community only grows.
FOR SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS, LA FIESTA HAS
BEEN PRESENTED BY
LA FIESTA 2019 WAS SPONSORED BY
LÍDER SPONSORS
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SOCIO SPONSORS
ANFITRIONES
Bank of Travelers Rest
Susan & Michael Cinquemani
Clemson University
Office of Inclusion and Equity
Dority & Manning
Furman University
Liberty Fellowship
Nathalie M. Morgan, LLC
Northwestern Mutual
Mahler Nuñez State Farm Agency &
Luis Caicedo, New American Funding
Ricardo & Coreen Urbina
The Grek Law Group, LLC &
Community Works Carolina
LA FIESTA 2019 AWARD WINNERS
CAMPEÓN AWARD • SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION
Recognizing organizations which are pioneering outreach to underserved communities, Campeón Award winners leverage our collective ability to effect courageous systemic change providing every individual with the opportunity to thrive. In 2016, this visionary organization provided the seed funds for the pilot of the Student DREAMers Alliance, and has been the sustaining contributor each year since, growing this fledgling leadership accelerator into an internationally recognized program.
AMIGO AWARD • MAHLER NUÑEZ
The Amigo Award recognizes exemplary individuals opening doors for the Hispanic community. Mahler’s successful State
Farm agency, and servant leadership have changed the landscape of local financial services for Hispanic families. He was key in
the formation of the Hispanic Alliance Financial Stability Team, served six years as a Hispanic Alliance board member (Treasurer in 2014; Chair in 2016), and volunteered many years as an expert instructor for financial Literacy and home-buying classes.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD • CARLOS CAMARGO
As its volunteer chair, Carlos has generated committed and talented membership, innovative programing, and effective partnerships for the Hispanic Alliance Financial Stability Team. They debuted the first Spanish language class for business entrepreneurs in 2018, and will follow this success with financial outreach to youth in collaboration with our Education Team. He and his wife, Rocío are the owners of Unlocked Coffee Roasters, specializing in beans from their Colombian homeland.
BOARD MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD • ELLEN STEVENSON
Chosen by her peers, Ellen has played a key role in strengthening our governance structure and positioning Hispanic Alliance for success. She has brought over 30 years of expertise in leadership and organizational development to our growing organization. Her leadership on our three-year strategic plan and our comprehensive planning around statewide expansion has
carried us firmly through a period of unprecedented growth.
Her visionary and collaborative leadership has earned the
respect of staff and board members alike.
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RISING STAR AWARD • SARAÍ BAUTISTA
The Rising Star is a young leader, pushing boundaries in themselves and within their community. When Sarai began advocating for DACA rights, her story deeply impacted listeners, building confidence in herself and in her demands for awareness and equity. She has taken her story to Columbia and Washington, D.C., generating amazing energy around current legislation to allow DACA recipients equal access to higher education. She is a volunteer, friend and liaison for Hispanic Alliance, rooting us in the reason for the change we seek.
LEGACY AWARD • WILFREDO LEON
As a Hispanic Alliance board member of four years (Treasurer from 2015-2016), and a formative influence on the Hispanic Alliance in its grassroots infancy, we are proud to call Wilfredo one of our own. Best known as the founder and editor of Latino Newspaper, the first Spanish language newspaper in South Carolina, Wilfredo has given decades of service in numerous capacities to the Hispanic community across the state, anchoring our heritage and laying the framework for our future.
