During National Hispanic Heritage Month, WBOI focuses on eight area residents who have made a positive impact on Northeast Indiana.
The director of the Behavioral and Family Studies Institute at Purdue Fort Wayne, Alice Jordan-Miles travels the country in the effort of suicide prevention.
Nicaragua native, Raquel Kline works as a community, legal and medical interpreter. She directs the Language Services Network, bridging the language gap for local immigrants and refugees.
Long-time Fort Wayne Community Schools Board member, Steve Corona works as the Executive Director of Latinos Count, serving area youth. He also serves on Fort Wayne's Redevelopment Commission and the National School Boards Association.
The first in her family to attend college, Maria Guadalupe Solis is studying nursing at the University of Saint Francis. She is also an active community volunteer and a 4-year full scholarship recipient at the university through their "Pay it Forward" program.
Dr. Joanne Alvarez is the director of diversity, equity and belonging at IvyTech. She is also president of the Hispanic Leadership Coalition of Northeast Indiana and assists with the Questa Educational Foundation.
The publisher and editor of El Mexicano newspaper, passionate community advocate Fernando Zapari is also the founder of Fiesta Fort Wayne, held every summer. His mission is promote education for all Latinos in Northeast Indiana.
Dr. Elva Resendez is a director and faculty member at the Doermer School of Business at Purdue Fort Wayne. She also serves on WBOI's community advisory board, and is a registered EMT.
Chicago-native Rob Martinez was one of the first Mexican-American children to integrate his elementary school. Now in Northeast Indiana, Martinez is long-time WBOI volunteer producer and show host.