Click Here for More Articles on 2012 AWARDS SEASON...

Tony Shalhoub, Roberta Reardon & More to Attend 2012 HOLA Awards Tonight, 10/8

HOLA Excellence in Reality Television Honoree: J.W. Cortés is an actor, singer and filmmaker. He was most recently featured on the new NBC reality competition series “Stars Earn Stripes.” It brought together the best of both worlds for him because in addition to his acting experience, he was in the U.S. Marines Corps for 13 years, during which time he rose to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant and is an Iraq war veteran, having served in the beginning phases of the war in 2003. He currently serves as an officer with the New York MTA Police Department. Along with his role on “Stars Earn Stripes,” he has also logged in some impressive acting credits including roles in the films As Good as Dead (with Cary Elwes and Andie McDowell), A Kiss Of Chaos (with Adam Rodríguez) and the soon-to-be-released Blue Caprice (with Joey Lauren Adams and Isaiah Washington), the last inspired by the the Beltway sniper attacks. In addition, he starred in, wrote and directed the acclaimed short film Conscientious Objector, a film inspired by his 2003 tour of duty in Iraq and appeared in an episode of the NBC show “Mercy.”

2012 HOLA Excellence in Media Honorees:

NBC Latino is the new voice of American Hispanics. Launched in July 2012, NBCLatino.com is an English-language lifestyle and news destination for Latinos. NBC Latino covers a wide spectrum of stories from news and politics, to education, food and celebrity. The site aims to paint a portrayal of the true Hispanic experience in the U.S.; a mission achieved by cultivating an ecosystem in which Hispanic news is taken beyond the usual conversation, toward something more inspired, empowered and energized. Our users are deeply proud of where they come from and just as proud of where they’re heading. NBC Latino gives them credit for being smart and accomplished, yet we know they aspire for even more. It speaks to them in English because it is the language they already speak. It take Hispanic news beyond the usual conversation toward something more inspired, empowered and energized. NBC Latino is proud of the recognition by the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) and look forward to continuing to serve the Latino community with culturally-relevant content.

José Díaz-Balart is a Cuban-American journalist and television anchorman. He is currently the anchor for “Noticiero Telemundo,” the network's news program as well as the network's Washington, D.C.-based public affairs Sunday morning program “Enfoque.” In August 1996 he made history by becoming the first Cuban-American to host a network news program when he became anchor for the CBS News program “This Morning.” He co-hosted the Telemundo network's first morning news and entertainment show, "Esta Mañana," as well as its public affairs show "Cada Día." He received two Emmy awards while he was working at WTVJ-TV, an Associated Press Award and four Hispanic Excellence in Journalism Awards, all in the 1980s. He also received a DuPont and Peabody as well as the Orchid award for best news anchor in the U.S. in 2006. Media 100 has named him best anchor three times, and Hispanic Business Magazine named him one of the "100 most influential people in the U.S." He was given the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Sciences in 2010. As of June 2011, he has filled in for MSNBC anchor Contessa Brewer at the 12pm time slot, hosting the one-hour MSNBC Program, “MSNBC Live.” For the second time he made history when he substituted for “MSNBC Live” anchor Contessa Brewer for the week of June 20 through June 24, 2011 in the show’s 12 PM time slot, making him the first U.S. journalist to broadcast both English and Spanish newscasts on two networks simultaneously.

2012 Special Recognition HOLA Honoree: The NYC Latin Media & Entertainment Commission (LMEC) was created by NYC Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to make New York City the Latin media capital of the world. The LMEC works to promote economic development for Hispanic advertising and new media companies, creates and supports events that are an experience and a destination for people around the world, and partners with businesses, professional associations and educational institutions to develop the local media and entertainment workforce. Official LMEC events range from theater to alternative music to film to salsa to outdoor concerts to classical music to art shows and more. The talent and range of styles of the LMEC events and the energy and vitality of New York give you the best Latin cultural experience in the world.