MISSION STATEMENT

Popular Hispanics is a chic and trendy English language online magazine exploring Latino culture. We are dedicated to bringing the latest lifestyle and entertainment news that will enrich and educate our readers’ lives.  Our goal is to represent, support and promote the Hispanic community by fusing our Hispanic values with all cultures. We do this by producing great stories on the hottest trends, entertainment, fashion, fitness, sports, food and travel.

VISION

To build a platform of digital/traditional print titles and mediums that represent the Hispanic community and to provide engaging and entertaining news that enhances the lives of our readers.  To generate coverage about high profile Hispanics and non-Hispanics, who are changing and educating the world through their professions. The intent is to bring their messages to the communities around the globe in order to break down social barriers.

To share stories that offer an understanding of Hispanics and the contributions they provide to the global community. We want to invite our readers to engage with the writers through our website, blog, and social media platforms. 

Milton E Torres

Publisher & Founder Milton E Torres was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in upstate New York.  Deeply rooted to his Hispanic heritage, Torres was drawn to spend time traveling and exploring his roots in Puerto Rico--a move which helped reconnect him to his culture.  He now resides in Austin with his family where he enjoys cooking Puerto Rican cuisine.  He created Popular Hispanics® to celebrate Hispanics and their contribution to the community and world.

Yleana E. Santos

Contributing Editor Yleana E. Santos graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in English. For the past 4 years she has served as the Associate Editor of La Voz Newspapers, a small group of community based publications, based out of Austin, Texas. Part of her responsibilities included fact checking, copyediting and the last review of the pre-production process before sending the papers to the printer. Yleana believes more information allows people to make better decisions. With respect to the Hispanic community, this belief becomes even more important as the media attempts to engage this growing segment of the U.S. population.

Diana Rowe

Denver-based Contributing Writer Diana Rowe (http://www.dianarowe.com/) discovered her Hispanic spirit when she married a Martinez, but even after a divorce, she still feels Latino in her soul. For the past 14 years, Diana is a freelance writer, photographer, editor, social marketing and media professional contributing to travel, leisure, golf and business publications such as American Cowboy, Business Traveler, Corporate & Incentive Travel, Cvent, The Broadmoor Magazine, Motorcycle Rider News, Examiner, BusinessTravelDestinations.com, LuxuryLatinAmerica.com and WatchBoom.com. She also blogs for multiple online sites including TravelingMom.com as the Traveling Grandmother. She enjoys exploring and writing about the colorful communities and exciting world of Hispanics. You can also follow Diana's travels at http://www.travelinginheels.com/ or on Twitter @dianarowe

Brittany Valadez

Brittany Valadez is a freelance entertainment reporter with a keen interest in all things Hollywood. From the latest celebrity gossip to the biggest trends in fashion, you can count on her to be one of the first to know. She has several years experience in both on-camera entertainment reporting, writing, video editing and PR. Professionally, she’s interviewed A-list talent such as Jessica Alba, Eva Longoria-Parker , Eva LaRue and Robert Rodriguez, just to name a few. She’s covered several Hollywood red-carpet premieres such as Touchstone’s Step Up 3D, Fox’s Machete and many others. She’s interviewed celebrities from networks such as BET, MTV, E!, CBS, Nickelodeon, Disney…and the list goes on. She loves entertainment, and wouldn’t trade her job for the world. Young, ambitious, prepared and ready, Valadez credits one person in her life for her success, (and success to come): God. “Without Him, my life is nothing. Plain and simple.”

Amy Abeloff

Social Media Intern Amy Abeloff recently moved to Texas after spending 4 years in Ithaca, NY, working towards a dual-degree in Spanish and Government from Cornell University. She recently completed her Undergraduate Honors Thesis, which was a memoir written in Spanish, telling of her first two years at Cornell. She swore she would never miss Winter or cold weather upon moving to Texas, but the four seasons and cooler temperatures top her list of things missed. During her college years, she taught a Latin-Israeli Dance Class, played the Steel Drums, and sang in a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Music Ensemble. She is obsessed with anything relating to or associated with the Spanish language, Latin American or Spanish culture and history, and above all, she loves Hispanic food and drink. You will see her practicing her Spanish in any and all establishments where the language is spoken. 

Freddie Rodriguez

Contributing Music & Entertainment Writer Freddie Rodriguez is the creator and editor of Austin, Texas-based music blogazine, THE REAL popolio. He also writes a weekly music column, Urb’l (Urban Cool) Remedy, for Zubterrain, the e-zine of Zonisphere Media Group in New York City. With a Masters in Advertising and a Bachelors in Radio-Television-Film from the University of Texas at Austin, he loves all things entertainment and pop culture especially music. Because of his Panamanian heritage and Northeast El Paso, Texas roots, he believes individuality trumps conformity every time. As a Creative Dabbler, he’s previously managed a hip hop dance crew, founded an open mic and slam poetry organization, and spearheaded arts programming for an academic gender and sexuality center. He’s left-handed and has always wanted to be a super hero. You can find him at Facebook, ‘like’ THE REAL popolio Facebook Page, and follow THE REAL popolio on Twitter.

   Laura Granado

Contributing Writer Laura Granado graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a degree in Finance and a Masters Degree in Public Administration with a focus in Economics. Having worked at the University’s Institute for Policy and Economic Development as a Graduate Research Assistant, Laura contributed to the research of the Institute, including the technical report titled, At the Cross Roads: US / Mexico Border Counties in Transition. Upon graduation, she worked as a Financial Advisor where she obtained both her Series 7 and Series 66 FINRA licenses. Her keen interest in finance and economics flourished and has since helped others within this capacity. Laura’s family roots are in West Texas, where she grew up next door to a first generation grandmother who bought and sold both livestock and alfalfa for a living – teaching Laura the fundamentals of the market exchange. These personal experiences established strong values of hard work and perseverance, as well as the importance of helping others.