WASHINGTON, D.C – November 8, 2021 – (NOTICIAS NEWSWIRE) – Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) is thrilled to announce the expansion of its relationship with award-winning journalist, author and entrepreneur Mariana Atencio as an official spokesperson of the organization to advocate alongside FRIENDS leadership for the future Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino.
“With her journalism background, multimedia expertise and established communications credentials, Mariana Atencio is the perfect addition to our team of passionate spokespeople for our national advocacy efforts,” said Estuardo Rodriguez, President and CEO of FRIENDS. “As we have always said, we have not made it this far on our own and it will require each one of us to ultimately open those doors. We are truly grateful for Mariana’s willingness to commit her time to this shared vision for the nation.”
The spokesperson role expands an ongoing media partnership with Atencio, whose company GoLike—promoting diversity and motivation through 360 storytelling—is an official media partner of FRIENDS.
Atencio’s first official duty as spokesperson will be hosting The Changing Perceptions of American Latinos, a Facebook Live event streaming Thursday, Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day at 2:15pm ET featuring producer, writer and actress Gloria Calderón Kellett (One Day At A Time), FRIENDS Chair Emeritus and United States Air Force Veteran Danny Vargas, Executive President of the Latino Donor Collaborative Ana Valdez, and CEO & President of the Latino Corporate Directors Association Esther Aguilera. (Register for this free, public event here)
«Having a museum where we can all take our children to teach them about our shared culture, history and contributions has become a big part of my life’s purpose,» said Atencio, a newly-minted American citizen. «I would like to thank Estuardo and the leaders at the Latino Museum for letting me be a part of this gigantic effort. I won’t stop until we are at the ribbon cutting ceremony on the National Mall!”
Atencio is an alum of MSNBC and NBC News. She founded GoLike in 2018 to represent and lift Latinos through storytelling and speaking.
«GoLike creates content that is educational, engaging and inclusive, shining a light on where our communities are now and helping them chart a new path forward. This dovetails perfectly with the work I’ll be spearheading with the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino.»
Atencio is the recipient of many esteemed journalism awards, including the Peabody, the Gracie and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Presidential Award.
About Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino
The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino organization strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers and communities to the American way of life.
The FRIENDS organization is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution.