Fritanga by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

After the enforcement surge in Minneapolis earlier this year, communities were living through a reality that headlines and social media couldn’t fully capture: families in fear, businesses shutting down, and neighborhoods forced into survival mode.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:
Carolina Ortiz – Associate Executive Director, COPAL, brings over seven years of experience with COPAL, where she has led communications and environmental justice work and now guides development efforts. Through coalition building, policy advocacy, and strategic storytelling, she works to uplift the voices of Latin American communities and drive meaningful change that improves their quality of life.

Rev. Hierald Osorto, Lead Pastor, St. Paul’s–San Pablo Lutheran Church, a bilingual Reconciling in Christ congregation in South Minneapolis. He is a former teaching fellow at the Leadership Center for Social Justice at United Theological Seminary and previously served as Executive Director for Student Equity & Belonging at Ithaca College. His work centers on faith, justice, and building communities rooted in dignity and belonging.

Henry Jiménez – President & CEO, Propel Nonprofits, a Community Development Financial Institution that provides nonprofits with access to capital and capacity-building services. A longtime advocate for Latino and immigrant communities, he previously led the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), advancing efforts in wealth-building, cultural investment, and community development. He serves on multiple national and local boards and is a 2023 Bush Fellow.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

🔹 Support Impacted Families

🔹 Immigrant Support & Legal Resources

🔹 Support Latino-Owned Small Businesses

👉 Donate to support Mercado Central:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-mercado-central-from-closure

WATCH THIS EPISODE TODAY: https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/ 
FOLLOW: @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: [email protected]

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Season 5 of Fritanga looks in three directions: past, present, and future. We begin with someone whose life spans all three. The legendary comedian, actor, author, and art collector Cheech Marin! 

For over five decades, Cheech has helped expand who gets to be visible and heard in American culture.

Born in South Central Los Angeles, Cheech left the United States during the Vietnam War era and met Tommy Chong in Vancouver. What they built together moved from underground comedy stages to national influence, blending satire, music, and lived experience in a way that reshaped American entertainment.

In this conversation with our host, Antonio Tijerino, Cheech reflects on identity, reinvention, and belonging. They talk about growing up Mexican American in LA, about music as the rhythm behind comedy, about leaving America and returning to reshape it. From film to television to Disney animation to sold-out reunion tours decades later, Cheech shares what it takes to pivot without losing who you are.

The conversation culminates in his work as a collector and advocate for Chicano art. What began in the 1980s as a personal commitment became national exhibitions and ultimately The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture, the first museum dedicated to Chicano art. For Cheech, institutions matter because they affirm presence.

This episode is about who we have always been in relation to this country, and what it means to make that presence permanent.

Follow The Cheech Center:
Instagram -  @theCheechCenter
TikTok - @theCheechCenter
Facebook - @theCheechCenter

Support The Cheech in their effort to uplift diverse artists:
https://bit.ly/thecheechlegacy

WATCH THIS EPISODE TODAY: https://hispanicheritage.org/fritanga/ 
FOLLOW: @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: [email protected]

TEAM:

This month, guest host and executive producer Antonio Caro pulls back the curtain with acclaimed set designer Gerardo Díaz Sánchez—the creative mind shaping this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards stage. From the show’s guiding theme of gold (not of greed, but reciprocity and ancestral respect) to designing a world that works both live and on TV, Gerardo breaks down how he turns stories into spaces, memory into architecture, and heritage into design.

They get into: Bad Bunny’s Puerto Rico–rooted staging and what it signals about home and identity; how queerness and culture shape Gerardo’s voice; the do-or-die realities of designing with tight budgets; and the line between spectacle and intimacy when the set should shine—and when it should disappear so the story can lead.

In this episode:

• The vision behind this year’s Hispanic Heritage Awards set and its “gold” as offering & reciprocity
• Designing for two audiences at once: the room and the national PBS broadcast
• From Guayama, Puerto Rico, to Yale
• Stage Design Process Deep-Dive
• Authenticity on screen

Learn more about Gerardo's work at https://www.gerardodiazsanchez.com/ 

Watch the Episode on YouTube @HispanicHeritage
Follow: @FritangaPodcast on Instagram today!

Reminder: Watch the 38th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on PBS – September 26 at 9/8c and stream on PBS.org + the PBS app in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

From the Andes to the world: this month, we bring you the story of Quechua singer, rapper, and activist Renata Flores—a journey of rhythm, resistance, and reclamation straight from the mountains of Ayacucho, Peru. This episode of Fritanga features an English-language introduction, followed by a powerful conversation in Spanish with the viral artist redefining Latin music and honoring Indigenous identity by bringing Quechua to the world stage.

Desde los Andes para el mundo: este mes, te traemos la historia de Renata Flores - cantante, rapera y activista quechua - una manifestación de ritmo, resistencia y reivindicación desde las montañas de Ayacucho, Perú. Este episodio de Fritanga Podcast comienza con una introducción en inglés, seguida de una conversación en español con una artista que está redefiniendo la música latina al honrar su identidad indígena y llevar el quechua al escenario mundial.

ABOUT RENATA [ENGLISH VERSION]:

At just 14, Renata Flores went viral rapping Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” in Quechua—the Indigenous Andean language of her ancestors and the most widely spoken Indigenous language in Latin America. But that moment wasn’t just a remix. It was a reclaiming.

Now 24, Renata has become a powerful voice for Indigenous youth across Latin America. Her music blends hip hop, pop, and ancestral tradition to celebrate her roots and challenge colonial narratives. Her lyrics speak truth to power, and to the soul of a people whose language and culture have survived conquest, marginalization, and war.

Following her 2021 debut album Isqun - a 9-track tribute to the strength of Andean women throughout history - Renata is preparing to release her second album, deepening her commitment to cultural pride, Indigenous visibility, and sonic innovation.

📺 This episode is recorded primarily in Spanish. To watch with English subtitles, visit our YouTube channel @HispanicHeritage or click here to watch the episode today.

Listen & Follow [Escucha y sigue a] Renata Flores:

• Spotify
• Apple Music
• YouTube - @RenataFloresRivera 
• Instagram - @RenataFloresRivera
• TikTok - @RenataFloresRivera
• Facebook - @RenataFloresPeru

_____________________________________

SOBRE RENATA [VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL]:
A los 14 años, Renata se hizo viral interpretando “The Way You Make Me Feel” de Michael Jackson en quechua—la lengua ancestral de los Andes y la lengua indígena más hablada en América Latina, con más de 8 millones de hablantes. Pero ese momento no fue solo un remix. Fue una recuperación cultural.

Hoy, con 24 años y su segundo álbum en camino, Renata es una voz imprescindible para la juventud indígena en toda la región. Desde su ciudad natal de Ayacucho, continúa mezclando hip hop, pop y tradición ancestral para celebrar sus raíces y desafiar los relatos coloniales.

En este episodio, Renata conversa con Antonio Tijerino, presidente y CEO de la Fundación de Herencia Hispana, y con Marcos Marin Quintero, CEO y editor en jefe de Tiempo Company (El Tiempo Latino, El Planeta), sobre música, identidad y resistencia.

Sus letras abordan desde la justicia climática hasta la equidad de género y reflejan el alma de un pueblo cuya lengua y cultura han sobrevivido a la conquista, la marginación y la guerra.

🎙️ Este episodio fue grabado íntegramente en español. Para verlo con subtítulos en inglés, visita nuestro canal de YouTube: @HispanicHeritage o haz clic aquí.

What does the American Dream sound like? In this special Fourth of July episode of Fritanga, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with one of the composers of that dream: Emilio Estefan. Long before he became a 19-time Grammy-winning producer, a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and one of the most influential Latino cultural architects of our time, Emilio was an 11-year-old Cuban boy arriving in Miami with an accordion, no money, and a belief in something bigger. A belief in this country. In music. In himself.

From creating the “Miami Sound” to launching the global careers of artists like Shakira, Ricky Martin, and Gloria Estefan, Emilio’s story is one of hustle, heart, and the rhythm of possibility.

In this episode, Antonio and Emilio dive into:

• Emilio’s journey from Cuba to the global stage
• How immigrant resilience redefined American music
• Working with legends—and fighting for Celia Cruz’s comeback
• Fatherhood and creative legacy with his daughter Emily Estefan
• New projects including Raíces, Gloria Estefan’s first Spanish album in nearly 20 years
• BASURA, the new Broadway-bound musical co-created by Emily and Gloria Estefan

This isn’t just an interview—it’s a love letter to culture, legacy, and what it means to build something lasting from nothing.

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

Featured Resources & Mentions:
🎶 Gloria Estefan’s “Raíces” Album
🎭 Emily & Gloria Estefan’s Musical “BASURA”

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis 

In this episode, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with award-winning writer, filmmaker, and cultural storyteller Alberto Ferreras for an unforgettable conversation about art, identity, and the power of storytelling. From the groundbreaking Habla series to working with Madonna (yes, THE Madonna), Alberto reflects on the spiritual power of creativity, queer and immigrant narratives, and how art connects us all. Released as we kick off World Pride 2025 in Washington, D.C. next week, this episode is both celebration and call to unity. Tune in for laughs, wisdom, and a reminder that our stories are our strength.
 

EPISODE RESOURCES:
Read about Alberto's latest installation, "American Latinos 1935-1945", a multimedia project that includes an immersive video installation with more than 250 images of Hispanic-Americans, captured almost a century ago by some of the most influential photographers of the 20th century. Click here to learn more about his career and work. 

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis 

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 - The Essence of Latino Identity
00:00:24 - Introducing Alberto Ferreras
00:03:11 - Pride Month and Community
00:04:45 - Unity in Diversity
00:07:22 - Cultural Background and Identity
00:10:08 - Challenges of Being Venezuelan
00:12:21 - The Power of Storytelling
00:13:03 - The Habla Series
00:17:27 - Working with Madonna
00:22:00 - The Impact of Music on Life
00:23:03 - Exploring Identity Through Art
00:24:00 - Be As In Beauty: A Novel
00:29:10 - The Importance of Self-Expression
00:31:06 - The Miracle: A New Show
00:37:11 - The Healing Power of Music
00:39:08 - Art as a Form of Connection
00:42:18 - The Role of Storytellers in Culture
00:46:01 - Creating Quality Content for Children
00:47:56 - Navigating Modern Challenges for Youth

Season 4 of the Fritanga Podcast kicks off with a full-circle conversation about hustle, identity, and building a fintech company rooted in community. Richie Serna and Emmanuel Pleitez—both past Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) Youth Awardees—are now leading one of the most exciting startups in tech: Finix.

Richie Serna is a first-generation Harvard graduate from Santa Ana, California, raised by Mexican immigrant parents who instilled a powerful work ethic and value system that still guides him today. After a brief stint in consulting, he taught himself to code, moved into a hacker house, joined a Silicon Valley startup that later sold, and co-founded Finix in 2015. He now serves as CEO.

Emmanuel Pleitez, raised in East LA by a single mother from El Salvador, is a first-gen Stanford grad whose journey spans Wall Street, the White House, the U.S. Army, and venture capital. He is the founding managing partner of East Los Capital and now serves as Chief Strategy Officer at Finix. Emmanuel also served as Board Chair and is now Chair Emeritus of HHF, where he launched our national Code as a Second Language initiative and helped shape our leadership work—mentoring thousands, including many of us.

Together, Richie and Emmanuel are redefining what leadership looks like in Silicon Valley—while staying deeply connected to where they came from.

💳 About Finix:
Finix is a modern payments infrastructure company powering everything from taco trucks to billion-dollar brands. With no-code and embedded payment solutions, Finix empowers businesses to own their entire payments stack.
👉 Learn more at finix.com

🎙 This episode is packed with stories about mentorship, identity, risk-taking, and how the HHF ecosystem helped shape two Latino leaders building for the world—and each other.

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis 


 

Welcome back, familia! We're excited to kick off the year with an inspiring conversation featuring Marissa Solis, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing at the NFL. From her roots in Mexico to leading one of the world’s most iconic brands, Marissa shares her bold vision to future-proof the NFL, ensuring it stays relevant to younger and more diverse audiences.

Discover how she uses her platform to uplift the Latino community, including her leadership in the NFL Latino Youth Honors—a program in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation that celebrates outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes for their academic and athletic excellence.

Marissa also reflects on the life lessons she’s learned—from growing up in the Rio Grande Valley to navigating boardrooms as a proud Latina leader.

Tune in to hear her passion for breaking barriers, building inclusion, and inspiring the next generation. From leadership and resilience to the power of storytelling in sports and beyond—this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

RESOURCE: Learn more about the NFL Latino Youth Honors in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation here. The winners will be announced the week of Super Bowl LIX. 

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis 
 

In this heartfelt episode of Fritanga, we dive into the profound challenges of caregiving within Latino families. Host Antonio Tijerino shares personal reflections on the weight of caregiving, recalling his experience with his late mother and aging father. Joined by Yvette Peña, VP of Audience Strategy at AARP, Adrian Gaston Garcia, a queer Latine storyteller, and Alejandra Castillo, Fellow in Residence at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School, we explore the emotional, mental, and financial strains that come with caring for our aging loved ones. 

Through their stories, we highlight the cultural significance of family, respect, and unconditional love, while also discussing the complexities of guilt, expectations, and balancing our own well-being. This conversation offers practical advice on navigating caregiving, asking for help, and ensuring dignity for our loved ones, especially within the Latino community.

AARP Resources for Caregivers: AARP provides free caregiving guides in English and Spanish. Access them at www.aarp.org/caregiverresourceguides.

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis 

In this month’s episode, host Antonio Tijerino sits down with Jonathan Jayes-Green (they/them), a trailblazing LGBTQ+ non-binary Afro-Latinx activist and advocate for justice. Jonathan shares their deeply personal journey of returning to Panama after nearly 20 years in the U.S., reflecting on the healing, reconnection, and self-discovery that accompanied this transformative experience. Jonathan also opens up about the challenges of navigating multiple intersecting identities—Black, Latinx, queer—and the societal pressures that come with them. They offer powerful insights into the realities of racism and classism, both in the U.S. and Latin America, and discuss the ongoing struggles faced by marginalized communities.

Throughout the conversation, Jonathan highlights the importance of creativity, self-care, and the boldness required to push for meaningful change. Their story is one of resilience, identity, and the power of community—an inspiring reminder that our struggles are interconnected, and together, we can create a more just and inclusive world.

ABOUT JONATHAN JAYES-GREEN: Jonathan is committed to the practical and innovative deployment of capital for the public good. Jonathan brings over a decade of nonprofit, philanthropy, and political experience in senior leadership roles. Jonathan earned a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Jonathan is currently a Democracy Visting Fellow at the Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation. Previously, Jonathan served as a Gleitsman Fellow at the Harvard Center for Public Leadership and as a Rappaport Institute Public Finance Fellow at the Federal Funds and Infrastructure Office within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance.

Jonathan serves on the boards of eBay Foundation, Funders of LGBTQ Issues, and Hispanics in Philanthropy. Jonathan’s profile and contributions to social justice movements are featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, DC.

WATCH: Click here to watch this and other episodes on YouTube. 
FOLLOW: Follow us on Insta @FritangaPodcast
CONNECT: For questions or guest recommendations, email us at [email protected]

TEAM:
Host: Antonio Tijerino
Executive Producer: Antonio Caro 
Senior Producer:  Connor Coleman 
Producer: Ambrose Davis