Come to our January 19th “Meet and Greet”
One of the benefits of being part of Hispanic Communicators DFW is all the events that we have throughout the year. On Thursday, January 19th, we’re having a “Meet and Greet” at Luna de Noche at Victory Park in downtown Dallas.
“Meet and Greets” are great place to re-connect with friends from HCDFW. If you’re new to the city, come and meet the Latino professionals in journalism, public relations, and communications who are making a difference in Dallas/Fort Worth.
It’s important for HCDFW to have networking events, because it gives all of us a chance to relax, spend time with each other and in some cases people have even made connections for new jobs.
Hope to see you on Thursday, January 19th. There will be free food and drink specials. Get away from the office, and the deadlines—and come spend a few hours with a bunch of great people.
If you’re not a member, we welcome you to come and check us out. Don’t forget to let us know you’re coming. Click here to RSVP.
See you there!
2012 The Year for HCDFW
Get your calendar out, because Hispanic Communicators DFW has a lot planned for 2012. We just celebrated 30 years in Dallas/Fort Worth. We have lots of great memories and in 2012 we’ll create new ones.
Hispanic Communicators DFW in the Community with Girls Inc.
It has been an eventful summer for us so far! We had two special events in June. Hispanic Communicators DFW had its fifth annual Media Mixer at the House of Blues and we also did our very first community service/outreach program.
Last year during our annual Media Mixer I learned about our sponsor’s, Time Warner Cable’s Connect A Million Minds initiative (also known as CAMM). It teaches young girls about the science behind every day things and thought. It’s a great program.
Who doesn’t know a girl who could benefit from a program like CAMM? It helps open a girl’s mind and unlock her potential so she doesn’t become a depressing statistic.
This year, we had an opportunity to work with TWC and their partner, Girls Inc. on a summer camp called “The Science Behind The
News.” It was held at Channel 8, WFAA-TV.
Our member and veteran anchor, Gloria Campos was actively involved entire workshop. She really made the day a memorable experience for the girls. The girls also got to have lunch with Gloria.
That had to beone of my favorite moments of the day. I watched as Gloria was sat in the center of all the girls, passing around cookies as the girls traded flavors. Gloria also went through every single curriculum station with the girls including a game that resembled Twister!
Gloria with the girls.
- The girls got autographs on their T-shirts. They were also given a tour of the station and even got to sit behind Gloria’s anchor desk chair for a taping! There is no doubt that Gloria Campos inspired all these girls.
Who knows, maybe the camp will inspire one of them to become a professional communicator!
Byrdie Franco is currently the Public Relations Manager for the Hispanic Communicators DFW.
NY Times documentary gives HCDFW members a dose of reality
If you’re in the media you know the internet has changed life at most newspapers. Some have gone out of business, and others have downsized. Massive layoffs have also affected one of the largest newspapers in the country, The New York Times.
On Wednesday, members of Hispanic Communicators DFW and their guests gathered to see the documentary “Page One: A Year inside the New York Times” at the Angelika Film Center in Dallas. The documentary is about the New York Times massive layoffs due to a drop in advertising revenue and subscriptions and the impact of the internet.
Here’s a trailer of the documentary.
I thought the documentary focused on some interesting reporters and editors who work at the New York Times. But I noticed right away that no minorities or women we’re part of the chosen journalists who were the stars of the documentary. An African American man and a woman did make cameo appearances at the Times’ planning meetings, but that’s about it.
I’m no movie critic, but I will say I found the documentary very informative and entertaining. It did leave me unsure about the future of newspapers.
Karina Ramirez, a reporter for the Denton Record Chronicle is a member of Hispanic Communicators DFW. She made it to the documentary viewing. Karina says “It painted a realistic picture of what we’re going through. There’s
always the fear that someday someone will come up and say you’re gone.” Her guest, fellow Denton Record Chronicle reporter, Britney Tabor says “I think it showed a lot of what we’re going through as reporters to make it.”
I’m glad that on a busy Wednesday night, more than 30 people got together to see a documentary that is a reflection of our industry. Karina Ramirez says “This was very educational for us as journalists and it was good to be here tonight with other journalists who understand the business.”
Rebecca Aguilar is a freelance reporter in Dallas. She’s part of the Hispanic Communicators Planning committee. She’s also the Officer, At-Large with NAHJ.
There’s no stopping us now!
Photo by Rebecca Aguilar
Saturday mornings just seem like a good day to rest and catch up with everything you just didn’t get done during the week. But on Saturday, July 9th, members of Hispanic Communicators DFW filled a conference room at Univision in Dallas and we were ready to get down to business.
As part of the planning committee, I didn’t expect but maybe a dozen people. But one by one, members walked in ready to find out what’s next for our organization. As we sat around this huge conference room table, everyone started jumping in to give their ideas and offer their help for upcoming workshops and a banquet.
Organizations like ours only survive with the help and hard work of volunteers. The energy and passion of these 27 members was amazing and inspiring. Everyone was offering their expertise whether in journalism, marketing, social media or public relations. There was even a certified translator who showed up who wanted to get involved.
We’re in the works of putting together a series of workshops for a September mini-conference. So we still welcome ideas from members. What workshops would help you become better at your job? We welcome your input, please contact us with your ideas.
Photo courtesy: CW33-Dallas
We’re all excited about the Hispanic Communicators DFW 30thAnniversary scholarship banquet on Saturday, October 15. Pulitzer Prize winner and Los Angeles Timesreporter,Ruben Vives will be our keynote speaker. Our member and CW 33’s anchor, Amanda Salinas has graciously agreed to be our Mistress of Ceremonies. Thanks Amanda!
One of our planning committee members, Magda Salazar is still looking for donations for our silent auction at the banquet. So start thinking of goods and services you and yourfriends can donate to the scholarship banquet. Remember, we’re trying to help students pay for their college educations. Contact Magda with your donation.
We need to give a big shout out and thank you to Becky Muñoz-Diaz, the Vice President and General Manager of Univision, Canal 23. She donated the space for the meeting and also was gracious enough to give us a tour of the station when our meeting was over. She’s a class act!
Photo Courtesy: Michael Vega
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 20th. We’re having another membership meeting at the Dallas Morning News. Take it from me, these are more than just meetings. They are a great place to make new connections and new friends. I’m about expanding your network professionally and personally, and after Saturday’s meeting, I left knowing—we are not just an organization, we are a network of friends.
Rebecca Aguilar is a freelance reporter based in Dallas. She’s also the Officer At-Large with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
