Gala de Oro
Celebrando el Éxito Latinx Awards
2024 Nominees
The voting form is open February 2 - 16, 2024
Please cast your vote for each award:
Outstanding Latinx Leadership Award
Latinx Community Champion Award
Latinx Innovation Excellence Award
The winners for each category will be announced at our 7th Annual Gala de Oro.
Outstanding Latinx Leadership Award Nominees
Diana Diaz Guerra
I’m Diana Diaz Guerra. I am a first generation Salvadorian who just graduated with a BA in liberal studies from Sacramento State. My dream is to become an elementary school teacher and I will be pursuing higher education by getting my teaching credential and master in elementary education. I’m currently a teaching assistant at a preschool and I’m having so much fun working with young children. Being able to be so passionate about early childhood education has made working at the preschool an amazing time. I am happy that I chose the right path and with hard work I was able to accomplish my dream of graduating college and making my immigrant parents very proud. Seeing their hard work being paid through my accomplishments will always be my proudest moment. Growing up I always looked up to a lot of people and I want to be that for someone else. Being a daughter of immigrants parents is something I’m proud of and I hope everyone feels the same. This achievement seemed impossible to me but it’s a reality now and I want to show every little girl out there that their dreams mattered and will become true with hard work and kindness.
Mikayla Bustamante
My name is Mikayla and I am honored to be nominated for this award! I graduated with my bachelor degrees in both Criminal Justice and Anthropology. After graduating, I pursued a career in education and have taught high school criminal justice as well as AVID. I am passionate about education and always encourage my students to advocate not only for themselves, but for others as well. I am so thankful for all the students and educators that I have had the pleasure of meeting over the years and am forever grateful for their support!
Ricky Gutierrez-Maldonado
I am the youngest child of Mexican immigrants. A first-generation, queer, Chicano, educator. During my time at Sac State I was a part of MEChA, co-founded C-COLORS to save the multicultural center, was a CFA student intern and started SQE, worked for the University Union and Multicultural Center, and was a McNair Scholar. After Sac State I earned a master's and doctorate from the University of Utah. I've been in higher education, working in student affairs and adjunct teaching in Ethnic Studies. Additionally, I co-direct Nopal, a Chicanx/Latine youth cultural and political education project. As Nopal we aim to establish a social enterprise coffeeshop called Raiz Cafe y Cultura in Stockton, CA. Nopal and Raiz will center our 4 values of education, culture, community, and activism.
Krystal Moreno
I am humbled to be nominated for the Outstanding Latinx Leadership Award. Mentorship and uplifting others have always been passions of mine. After graduating in 2011 as a student athlete with a BA in Public Relations, I started interning in the State Capitol. I currently serve as one of the few Latina Legislative Directors in the California State Senate where I manage legislation and budget initiatives, oversee legislative staff, fellows and interns, as well as provide statewide policy & budget expertise and counsel to State Senator, Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park). I’m grateful to have worked on expanding the Young Child Tax Credit and I drafted language in the state budget to secure $50M for nonprofit performing arts organizations which are critical in keeping small theaters alive in our Latinx communities. I personally staffed dozens of successful legislative proposals that address inequities (access to education, healthcare, housing) in BIPOC communities and protect survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Since 2012, I’ve dedicated my free time to helping others by volunteering in my community. I co-founded the Annual Capitol Cup & Latinx Young Democrats of Sac County and served as the first Latina President of the Hornets Policy & Politics Alumni chapter. It was through these efforts, I helped raise over $200K for local nonprofits, created a scholarship endowment fund for students interested in a career in public service, and guided young professionals to reach their full potential. I hope to continue fostering environments of growth, inclusion and empowerment.
km zabaleta hinojosa
kashi is a first generation Mexican-Colombian college graduate working in student affairs passionate about recruitment and retention within higher education spaces. Through a social justice lens with a focus on access and intersectionality, kashi works with various campus community centers and collaborators to provide holistic community support. As a wellness coach through the student health center they are committed to supporting student communities reach balance and wellness in all aspects of their lives. when not coaching, kashi can be found spending time with nature, sitting at the drum circle singing in community and or creating mindfulness music videos for public social media platforms.
Ricardo (Ricky) Hurtado
Ricky Hurtado was born and raised in Napa and proudly comes from an immigrant family. A first-gen 13’ graduate from CSUS has over 10 years of giving back to Napa County by working in nonprofits and serving on different boards, including as the first Latino President of the Democrats of Napa Valley, President of the Napa County Hispanic Network, and Napa County Historical Society. He's the VP of Fair Housing Napa Valley and recently finished his third year as Planning Commissioner for the City of Napa, being one of the first Latinos holding this position. Ricky works at CommuniCare+OLE as the Community Outreach Manager, where he’s led the planning and development of a mobile health program, along with other outreach efforts, including its food distribution, strategic partnerships, and more, serving Napa & Solano Counties. Additionally, he is finishing his MPA in honor of his wife, Caitlin, and son, Roman. Honored, humbled, and thankful for this nomination – Si Se Puede!
Victor Rodriguez Tafoya
Life is about learning and having self-reflection for any areas of personal growth and continuous maintenance and improvement. As an immigrant, Veteran, and queer Mexicano, I occupy cross-cultural areas that give me a lens into the struggles, hustles and successes of our communities. My goal is to inform, empower, and extend a compassionate hand to the person behind me and those who may seem lost in a moment of challenge. "La Union Hace la Fuerza," and with this in mind, I invite us all to reflect and unite for justice and change!
Gabriel Ramon Delgado
My name is Gabriel Ramon Delgado and currently I am an Advising and Outreach Specialist for the College of Education at Sacramento State. I have a Master’s Degree in Higher Educational Leadership and a Bachelor’s Degree in Ethnic Studies, both from Sacramento State. I am from West Sacramento, California, but my parents come from Mexicali, Mexico and Granada, Nicaragua. As a Latinix professional in higher education, it is my job, and more importantly my privilege, to guide and inspire Latinx students in reaching their goals.
Jenny Rodriquez
I am very honored to be nominated for this award. Throughout my years of working in our community, I think back and reflect on my years serving with the Sac State Latinx Chapter and realize it was one of the first roles in the community where I joined not knowing anyone else and put myself out there with hopes of giving back now as a proud hornet alum. I knew my journey was not the traditional path and hoped that I could inspire other students withing our Latinx community to know that anything is possible with a hard work and dedication. Si se puede!
Latinx Community Champion Award Nominees
Estella Sanchez: Sol Collective
Estella Sanchez is a mother, artist, educator and social justice advocate with 25+ years of service in non-profit administration. Sanchez has dedicated her life to serving under-resourced communities, specifically youth of color, through empowering the next generation of community leaders. Sanchez is the Founder of Sol Collective and under her leadership Sol Collective has served as a multicultural hub for Northern California and beyond working to support and cultivate artists, creative businesses, community groups, healers and activists. An innovative collective leadership model that has inspired groups from Sonoma to Staten Island the Sol Collective and Estella Sanchez have been recognized by the California State Assembly and California Senate as well as the Sacramento City Council for their work creating relevant, community driven arts, health and cultural programming. She currently serves as Cultural Strategist of Sol Collective and is the Creative Director of Visions Manifested, providing consulting for state-wide efforts focused on arts, equity, community health and social justice to partners such as the California Endowment, Sacramento Office of Arts and Culture, and the City of Sacramento.
Angela Chavez: Chicas Latinas de Sacramento
Angela Chavez is the communications and public affairs director for Courage California, overseeing communications for the organization’s 501(c)(4), (c)(3), and PACs, where she develops and leads advocacy strategies for statewide and regional policy, electoral, issue-based, and change narrative campaigns. In 2009, after working as a multi-media reporter in the Central Valley, Angela returned to Sacramento to found the nonprofit Chicas Latinas de Sacramento. For 15 years, she has led and organized the 501(c)3 and its programming, which sought to increase Latina volunteerism, leadership, and civic engagement. Born and raised in Sacramento, she is a first-generation high school and college graduate, who received her B.A. in journalism from CSUS. With a devotion to community and a knack for story-telling, Angela took her passion from the newsroom directly to the people — becoming an advocate for the Latinx community and a “voice for the voiceless.”
Christian Manzano: Pilax Pilates
Christian was born and raised in Sacramento Ca. She is a Sac state alumni and first generation graduate that studied public health and adolescent brain development as well as childhood development where she quickly fell I love with teaching, helping others further their education, making curriculums, and providing public health and education for all. Christian begun to teach movement and breath work everywhere she worked at. From Sacramento children’s home, Juvenile hall, weave, etc.. she knew that it was gift she needed to give to others. Recognizing the profound healing power of what it can do for one physically and mentally. Christian was able to share her passion for movement to the rest of the Sacramento community by starting Pilax Pilates in 2021 it was then that she fully understood it’s healing potential. She is committed to creating a warm, welcoming space for everyone, with a focus on empowering women feel confident and training and certifying others paving a way for them to have a career they are passionate about.
Latino Center of Art and Culture
The Latino Center of Arts and Culture (LCAC) is Sacramento’s oldest Latino non-profit arts organization. Founded by Chicano students in 1972 as La Raza Bookstore / La Raza Galeria Posada, today LCAC fosters the artistic, economic, and cultural development of Chicano/Latino people. Our programs and vision are rooted in the values of cultural equity and strengthening community. In 2014, the organization changed its name to Latino Center of Arts and Culture to reflect that the organization had transformed into a multi-disciplinary cultural center. Today, the Center’s artistic programs expand the broader public’s understanding of Chicano/Latino art and culture. We present and interpret the art, history, and culture of Sacramento County’s 300,000+ Latino residents and stage and exhibit work about the Latino experience. LCAC is a space where the community can access and participate in art that includes the artistic practices of marginalized cultural traditions and that explore the intersections of race, gender, sexuality, ability, class, religion, and immigration status.
Latinx Innovation Excellence Award Nominees
Ana Karen Mercado
I am a first-generation college graduate, mother, and Professor at Cosumnes River College. As an instructor of communication, teaching classes such as Communication Experience and Introduction to Public Speaking, I have had the opportunity to connect with students to find ways to turn their disadvantages into advantages. I have openly shared my experiences with my students, and I want to continue to create and use educational resources in a way that will teach and influence students who may be walking in the same footsteps I once took.
Jasmin Aleman
Jasmin Aleman is a Central Valley Chicana Attorney from Modesto with Purépecha roots. She is the proud daughter of immigrant parents who inspired her dedication to social justice. She has served as an Executive Board Member of Sol Collective for over a decade and recently became President of the Board. Sol Collective is a Sacramento nonprofit that promotes social justice through art, culture, and activism. Jasmin graduated from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento in 2017. She is grateful for her recent role as a removal defense attorney with the ChangeLawyers Immigration Fellowship. The fellowship was created in response to the critical lack of removal defense pro bono legal services in rural California communities, including the Central Valley. Her host organization was the Turlock, CA office of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Jasmin is currently serving as an IRC immigration staff attorney.
Kimberly Gomez
Kimberly Gomez (she/her/ella) is the Coordinator of the Dreamer Resource Center at Sacramento State. Raised in El Monte, her unwavering dedication to supporting marginalized communities is rooted in her personal experiences as a first-generation student in a mixed-status family. As the oldest daughter in an immigrant household, Kim was the first in her family to earn a High School diploma, AD-T from Pasadena City College, a B.A. in Psychology from California State University Northridge (CSUN), and an M.Ed. in Educational Counseling from the University of Southern California (USC). As an empowered leader and advocate for equity in higher education, Kim’s experience in creating individualized goals and relationships with students and staff has contributed to the DRC. Her mission at Sac State is to cultivate an inclusive and empowering environment where all students can achieve their dreams, regardless of their immigration status.
Luis - Genaro Garcia
Luis-Genaro Garcia is an artist, scholar, and former high school art teacher from South Central Los Angeles. As an artist and educator influenced by critical education theory, he draws on his sociopolitical experiences, cultural and communal knowledge to reflect the social and political barriers (past and present) that exist in marginalized communities. As an educators he draws on students cultural knowledge and uses the arts as a tool for social consciousness and social transformation of students and communities. He is currently an assistant professor of art education at Sacramento State University, closely working with communities through the Barrio Art program.