Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB), a non-profit organization funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, is pleased to announce that it will be honored with the prestigious Norman Lear Award at the 26th Annual Imagen Awards gala on Friday, August 12th, 2011 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The Norman Lear Award is given each year to a Latino writer or entity that has excelled creatively to dispel negative stereotypes and perceptions of the Latino community. Latino Pubic Broadcasting Executive Director Sandie Viquez Pedlow and LPB founder and Chairman of the Board Edward James Olmos will be on hand to accept the award.
The Imagen Awards were created 26 years ago by The National Conference for Community and Justice (formerly The National Conference of Christians and Jews), based on a suggestion by television producer Norman Lear to improve media portrayals of the Latino community in feature films and television. Called “the Golden Globes of the Latino community,” the Imagen Awards are one of the most prestigious awards of its kind in the entertainment industry.
An excerpt of the award announcement follows:
“Through the funding and supporting of Latino oriented programming for public television, Latino Public Broadcasting has made a significant contribution in creating a better understanding of Latinos and Latino cultures in the United States. LPB’s noncommercial educational and cultural programming has given a voice to our community and shared with the nation the beauty of our traditions and our contributions to the arts, culture and the humanities. In addition, LPB has provided numerous opportunities for Latino producers through their support and promotion of television projects as well as independent films. As Mr. Lear impacted the thoughts and perceptions of television viewers so has LPB. There is no one more deserving of this Norman Lear legacy award than Latino Public Broadcasting.”
LPB Founder and Chairman of the Board Edward James Olmos said, “These are exciting, dynamic as well as challenging times for public media and this award is a true honor and a wonderful validation of our work at LPB. As our Latino community increases in numbers, diversity and influence, we are more committed than ever to helping producers tell our stories and reaching ever broader audiences.”
LPB’s Sandie Viquez Pedlow assumed the role of Executive Director in July after a long career in public media and as an LPB board member. Pedlow said, “Since our inception thirteen years ago, Latino Public Broadcasting has strived to champion the Latino creative community. We’ve shepherded more than 200 projects, including several Imagen Award winners and nominees, including this year’s Best Documentary nominee The Longoria Affair. It’s an honor to be recognized by our community and we look plan to continue breaking new ground, breaking down barriers and creating programming that reflects our wonderfully rich and diverse experience.”
