Nominations Open for Miami Beach 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards

The Miami Beach Hispanic Affairs Committee is seeking nominations for the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Awards by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15. The committee will honor recipients at an awards ceremony in September.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. The Hispanic Heritage Month Awards are intended to honor members of the Hispanic community who live or work in the City of Miami Beach and who have made a positive contribution to the community in their respective professions.

The committee will select individuals or businesses from the following categories:

Individual — Educator, public safety personnel, social service provider, artist, youth (under 18 involved in community service), adult contributing to the success of youth and any Hispanic Miami Beach community member.

Business — Business, business owner, or employee of a qualified business (must have at least 51% Hispanic ownership).

Each nomination must include the nominee’s full name, address, phone number and a detailed explanation of the nominee’s contribution to the community. Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. The awards will be presented during the Miami Beach Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration in September.

Nomination forms are available by clicking here. Completed forms can be submitted via email to leonorhernandez@miamibeachfl.gov or via mail to Leonor Hernandez, City of Miami Beach, Hispanic Affairs Committee Liaison, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL, 33139.

The Hispanic Affairs Committee serves as an advisory capacity to the City Commission and the Administration with respect to matters pertaining to the Hispanic community of the City of Miami Beach. For more information, send an email to leonorhernandez@miamibeachfl.gov.

###

Hispanic Heritage Month Award Recipients 2002-2024

 

2002

Jorge M Gonzalez

David de la Espriella

Victor Diaz

 

2003

Eva Barreto

Liliam Lopez

Tanya Ludwig

 

2004

Raymond Adrian

Alfredo Gonzalez

Aida Marrero

Jorge Martinez

 

2005

Luis Alsina

Frank Carollo

Lupe Diaz

Marie Towers

 

2006

Maritza Ejenbaum

Michael Gongora

Daniel Morgalo

Kelly Villoch

 

2007

Kathy Abbate

Julio Blanco

Romero Britto

Nathalia Ramos

Dr. Karmenchu Santana-Vega

Diana Susi

 

2008

Goldie James Maldonado

Magaly Madrid

Rafael Oviedo

Daniel Veitia

 

2009

Armando Hernandez

Gabriel Paez

Howard Kaufman

Ines Flax

Pedro Martinez

 

2010

Elsa Urquiza

Luis Hernandez

Maria Acosta

Margarita Cepeda

Fernando Cid de Diego

 

2011

Ana Bolt

Becky Cohen

German Pena

Magnolia Martinez

Susan Riener

 

2012

Mark Causey

Bryant Del Toro

Adrian Gonzalez (withdrew)

Samuel Karkassoni

Richard Martinez

Mara Mignardi

Bea Pernia

 

2013

Tanya Diaz

Joe Gato

Karpawich Family

David King

Jose Rafael Martinez

Herb Sosa

 

2014

Jessica Fuentes

Alejandro Llaneras

Lourdes Lopez

Willie Priegues

Carlos Rodriguez

 

2015

Jorge Garcia

Leonor Hernandez

Jorge Garcia

Leonor Hernandez

Alexandra Oliva

Margueritte Ramos

Lawrence Rodriguez

 

2016

Elaine Soffer Siegel

Matti Herrera Bower

Gustavo Briand

Sylvia Carro

Zorilien Riveron

Juan Sanchez

Enrique Doce

Adonis Garcia

Unidad

The Miami Herald/El Nuevo Herald and Executive Team

 

2017

Dr. Rosa Lemas

Chief Virgil Fernandez MBFD

Kevin Cobas

Melina Almodovar

Sammy Gonzalez

Lisett Fernandez-Montero

Officer Mariana Garcia MBPD

Ayuda, Inc.

 

2018

Victor Pulido

Rudy Perez

Michelle Viera Henson MBFD

Ernesto Rodriguez MBPD

Marisela Silva Ramirez

Miguell del Campillo

Arnold Paisero

Dr. Ana Garoz – Ojunian

Arturo Fernandez

F1rst Surf Shop

 

2019

Reina Roffe

Marina Font

Havana 1957

Café Avanti

Felix Quesada

Iglesia Bautista El Poder De Dios

Sargent Jair Armatrading (MBPD)

Joh Paul Mejia

 

2020

Jorge Mazon

Michel Hausmann & Miami New Drama

Ricardo Barboza & Snack Patrol

Paola Serrano

Alejandro “Alex” Fernandez

Carolina Cuadros

Officer Eric Dominguez (MBPD)

Abbott Florist

L’Artisane Creative Bakery

2021
Koren E. Illa

Ceci Velasco

Chef Jesus Paredes

Judith M. Sanchez-Lamothe

Julio Echemendia

Dr. Raul J. Moncarz

Alina T. Hudak

Sgt. Eduardo "Eddie" Perez

Juan "JC" Pedroso

Deputy Fire Chief Digna Abello

Valerie Navarrete

Oh Mexico Restaurant

Moises Bakery

 

 

2022

Karem Canonico

Bella Cuba

Jamil Dib

Boriquen "Bo" Hall

Silvia Parra

Alberto Ravelo

Mark Samuelian

Daisy Tarafa

Alba Tarre

Enilda Thomas

Monica Torres

 

2023

Louis Aguirre

Magui Benitez

Noel Castillo

Cortadito Coffee House

Kiley Hernandez

Silvia Karman Cubina

Anabella de las Nieves Bergero

Walter Javier

Alejandra Rain Jiminez

Miami Beach Life Magazine

Dan Rios

Gabriela Suarez

Enrique Villa

Monica Valera

 

2024

Sixto Antonio Acea
Eduardo Araoz
Roberto Cid
Giancarlo Garcia

Rafael E. Granado

Maylu Hernandez

Karlowa Lopez Rodriguez

Roberto Morales

Claudio Navas
Ole Ole Steakhouse & Tapelia Spanish Restaurant
Maria Monserrat Riani-Smith
Touzet Studio

Daniela Viotti
Melisa Andrea Yanes

###

To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2ADA (2232) and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).