Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame announces inaugural class

The Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame (ALHOF) revealed the names of its inaugural class of inductees — four individuals and one organization – that have made significant contributions to the state and their respective fields.

The inductees, who will be honored at the inaugural ceremony on Thursday, October 24th, at Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in North Little Rock, are:

Andre Guerrero, Ph.D.
Dr. Andre Guerrero has dedicated his career to advancing educational equity and supporting marginalized communities. Beginning with his work with migrant Mexican American children in the lower Rio Grande Valley, Guerrero has designed curriculum for language minority students, served as a foundation officer, directed a graduate program in education at Antioch College, and was ccommissioner of Spanish Speaking Affairs for Ohio. He also served two terms as a VISTA volunteer in the 1960s. For the last 25 years of his career, Guerrero was the state director for Programs for Language Minority Students at the Arkansas Department of Education.

Roberto Martinez
Roberto Martinez, a resident of Sevier County, Ark., has been realizing his dreams since moving from Chicago in 1980. Inspired by Arkansas’ “Land of Opportunity” slogan, he settled between Horatio and De Queen, embracing a dramatic lifestyle change from city to rural life. Martinez faced challenges, including establishing credit and credibility, but his perseverance led to significant achievements in agriculture. In 1987, his family was honored as the Sevier County Farm Family of the Year, and later that year, they won the district title. Martinez’s success inspired many, and today, Sevier County boasts the highest number of Latino farmers in Arkansas. Martinez brings valuable insights into agriculture and regional industry to the many boards he has served and is currently serving on the Little Rock Federal Reserve Board of Directors, University of Arkansas Cossatot Board of Visitors, and Christus St. Michael Hospital. Martinez also owns Rancho La Esperanza and serves on the Board of Visitors for Cossatot Community College, the Arkansas Farm Bureau, and the Sevier County Farm Service Agency.

Fabricio Medina-Bolivar, Ph.D.
Dr. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar’s scientific journey began with a B.S. in Biology from Cayetano Heredia University in Peru, followed by a Ph.D. in plant physiology from Pennsylvania State University. He pursued postdoctoral research in molecular biology at Virginia Tech and then joined the faculty of Arkansas State University in 2005. Medina-Bolivar is a professor of Plant Metabolic Engineering in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Director of both the Environmental Sciences and Molecular Biosciences Graduate Programs and conducts cutting-edge research at his laboratory at the Arkansas Biosciences Institute. Medina-Bolivar serves as president of the A-State Latina/o Faculty and Staff Association and is a member of the Executive Committee for the Northeast Arkansas Hispanic Professional Network (NEAHPN). He has also served as president of NEAHPN and a board member for the Centro Hispano in Jonesboro, Ark.

Lisette Yang
Lisette Yang moved to Little Rock in 1997, joining a small Latino community in Arkansas. Recognizing the need for stronger community connections, she became involved with the League of United Latin-American Citizens (LULAC) Little Rock/State chapter. Yang later collaborated with University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Arkansas Global Programs, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Spanish and Intensive English Language Program, and the now-closed Little Rock Centro Hispano. Addressing communication barriers between Spanish speakers and service providers, Yang worked with the Arkansas Spanish Interpreters and Translators, interpreting at hospitals like Arkansas Children’s Hospital and UAMS, and later for District Courts. She also conducted trainings on Latino Culture to foster understanding within the community. In 2005, Yang became Arkansas’ first Latino Victim Advocate, helping over 2,500 Latino and international crime victims. In 2012, she joined the Children’s Protection Center (CPC) as their first bilingual Child Forensic Interviewer, later becoming the Lead/Senior Forensic Interviewer. She has interviewed over 7,000 children and teens, mentored forensic interviewers, and provided extensive training on child abuse and related topics.

El Centro Hispano
El Centro Hispano was founded by Sister Elaine Willett of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Jonesboro in 1997 as an outreach program for the largest growing minority in the region. In 2003, El Centro Hispano was incorporated as a certified 501(c)(3) non-denominational non-profit organization (Hispanic Community Services Inc.,) and a couple of years later Gina Gomez became the executive Director. In 2017, the leadership team brought their community together to construct a new facility that was 85% paid for at the time of construction. It is now bursting at the seams after only 6 short years. The organization’s culturally responsive programs and services span six key areas: education, health, social, cultural, legal, and civic engagement. Following the needs of the community, El Centro Hispano has brought mental health awareness, psychoeducational interventions, and professional referrals to Spanish-speaking communities across the state. Education and access to oral health resources and services are also a priority for the organization.

“The importance of recognizing individuals who have contributed to the enrichment of our state serves to inspire the next generation of leaders,” said Angele Galvis Schnuerle, chair of the Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame.

Each year a group of Latinos are inducted in the Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame who have:

• Made significant and enduring contributions to their field of endeavor, professional or otherwise.
• Affected the social, cultural, economic, or political well-being of the community, state or nation.
• Elevated the status of Latino and positively impacted the Latino community.
• Helped open new frontiers for Latinos and for society in general.
• Inspired others by their example.

Nominees are not limited to a certain field or accomplishment and can include pioneers, philanthropists, educators, entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, business leaders and political figures.

Tables and tickets to the Arkansas Latino Hall of Fame induction ceremony can be purchased at www.arlatinohalloffame.com.