SAVE THE DATE | 35TH ANNUAL AWARDS | OCT. 10, 2024

Throughout the country, September 15 commences the month-long celebration known as Hispanic Heritage Month. During this time, we showcase U.S. Latinos, our culture, and our history. It started in 1968 by Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week and expanded to a month in 1988. This celebration begins on September 15 because it coincides with the national independence days of several Latin American countries such as Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and followed by Mexico’s Independence celebrated on the 16th, Chile’s on the 18th, and Belize on the 21st. The month-long festivities conclude on October 15.

The Diamante (diamond in Spanish) Awards were founded in 1989 by IMAGE of Northwest Ohio, a local Latino advocacy group to honor Latinos’ profound and lasting influence on American history, values, and culture.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievements and service to Latinos. The Diamante Awards also raise scholarship funds for Latino youth who want to advance their education by attending a college or university in the region.

In 2003, the Diamante Latino Scholars Campaign was announced at the awards celebration. This fundraising initiative was a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Bowling Green State University, Lourdes University, Owens Community College, and the University of Toledo. At the time, the four institutions agreed to raise funds collaboratively for Latino scholarships. The Scholars Campaign resulted in several endowed Latino scholarships at all four institutions. Each year, the institutions announce their scholarship recipients at the annual Diamante awards ceremony.

Further, in 2016, the partner institutions agreed to have the Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio, one of the leading Latino non-profit organizations in Toledo, be the lead organization for the Diamante Awards moving forward.

Latino students do not attend or finish college primarily because of a lack of finances. With the growing Latino population, this forward-thinking effort will help ensure that more Latinos can graduate from college and fully participate in our communities.

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Key Individuals

2024 Diamante Planning Committee

Meyling Ruiz

Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio

Margarita De Leon

The Kaleidoscope Group

Aleiah Jones

The University of Toledo

Kelle Pack

Owens Community College

Ana Brown

Bowling Green State University

Callie Zake

Lourdes University

Nomination for Community Awards

Please submit your nominations for this year’s community awards. This is an opportunity to recognize those deserving youth, adults, professionals, corporations/community agencies, and friends of the Latino community for their leadership roles in the Northwest Ohio Latino Community.

Going beyond the call of duty is critical to the success and quality of life for Latinos in our community. Being recognized for such dedication and service to the community is an unforgettable honor. The Diamante Awards Committee asks that you help us pay special tribute to those “shining diamantes.”

Past Recipients

Need More Information

For more information or questions regarding the nomination process, contact:
DiamanteAwards@gmail.com.