and LIDERAMOS Toledo Graduation
SAVE THE DATE | 36TH ANNUAL AWARDS | OCT. 8, 2025
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.
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.
To purchase tickets please visit Eventbrite.
Key Individuals
2025 Diamante Planning Committee
Margarita De Leon
The Kaleidoscope Group
Aleiah Jones
Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio
Meyling Ruiz
Latino Alliance of Northwest Ohio
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
Recipients
2024
Alina Edmunds
Sue Cuevas
CaSandra Salas
Mely Arribas-Douglas
El Corazon de Mexico
2023
Erica Sacoto
Jesus Salas
Jose Rosales
Believe Center
2022
Louis Guardiola
Joe Balderas
2021
Jannet Frias
Linda Parra
Taylor Burciaga
Tony Rios Enterprise, Inc
Alyssa Greenberg
2020
Elijah Jones
Justice for Migrant Women
2019
Alexis Alvarado
Guiselle Mendoza-McDonald
Mariella Machen
Welcome TLC
Christine Soto
2018
Michele Soliz
Tonya Duran
Tireman
2017
Eugenio Mollo
Arturo Ortiz
Kandann Coleman
2016
Ivonne Mendoza
Luis Galindo
UT Latino Alumni Affiliate
Barbara Ecke Winter
2015
Josh Flores
Mark Urrutia
Benjamin Quintanilla
Spanish American Organization (SAO)
2014
Mary Torres
Richard A. Paat
Gregory A. Guzman
Stephanie Angel
Advocates for Basic Legal
Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc.
2013
Arturo Quintero
Sesario Duran
Natalia de Miguel Annoni
Queen of Apostles School
2012
Alberto Serrano
Cynthia Geronimo
Celeste Taylor
Nueva Esperanza Community Credit Union
2011
Luis Santiago
Dr. Ardenia Jones Terry
Ruben Hernandez
Adelante
2010
Lauryn A. Vargas
Dr. Ruben P. Viramontez
Anguiano
Elaina Hernandez
Senator Teresa Fedor
ProMedica Health System
2009
Carlos Ruiz
Human Relations Commission-Bowling Green
Amistad
Ramona Trujillo
2008
Oriana Orozco
The Chrysler Foundation
Mark Pickett
Albert Flores
2007
Naomi Valdez
Owens Corning
Tom Brogan
Bob Salazar
2006
Ann Pasquinelly
Sofia Quintero Art & Culture Center
Mary Jane Flores
Jose Trevino
2005
Father Richard Notter
Raquel Colon
Community Health Service
Karen Roadruck
2004
Margarita DeLeon
Maria Morales
Cesar Hernandez
Elisa O’Donnell
Juan Martinez
Perrysburg Heights Community Association
2003
Anita Lopez
Robert Rodriguez
Rural Opportunities Inc.
Irene Mineoi
2002
Concepcion T. Eason
Louis Escobar
Cecilia M. Rivera
Keith Treviño
2001
Dr. Rolando Andrade
Francisco Torres
Robert Torres
Irasema “Iris” Resendez
Gabiel Marquez
2000
Gilberto Yanez
Lourdes Santiago, Esq
Ezekiel Villa
Marcos Popovich
Miguel Romero
Patricia Hernandez
Ricardo Cervantes
1999
Sylvestre Duran
Simon Rodriguez
Celso Rodriguez
Dr. Alberto Gonzalez
Consuelo Hernandez
Salud Gonzalez Cortez
Jacqueline Roberts
Nina Maria Avalos-Laipply
1998
Dr. Fidencio Alanis
Maria Gonzalez
Lisa Canales-Flores
Jose Luna
Sue Campos
Marsha Olivarez
Robert Martinez, Jr.
1997
Oscar Velasquez
Vanessa Barrera
Joseph Guerrero
Juanita Sanchez
Ezequiel Agosta
Richard Gallegos
Sr. Estella Ybarra
David Garcia
The Whirlpool Foundation
1996
Maria Rodriguez Winter
Andrella Serratos
Kelly Rivera
Teresa Linares
Manuel Vadillo
Toledo Hispanic Jeep Association
Raquel Ramirez
1995
Gabriel Alonzo
Martin Cumba
Emanuel Enriquez
Lucy Weaver
Antonio Rios
Ruth Garcia
Maria Elena Martinez
1994
Lydia Alejandro
Baldemar Velasquez
Alvina Costilla
Robert Garcia
Juan & Hortencia Soto
Ursula Barrera
1993
Mestizo Project
St. John & St. Mary Schools
Eduardo Marroquin
Freddie Gutierrez
Gilbert Leal
Steve Garcia
Monica Ramirez
1992
Melinda Sanchez
Dolores Rodriguez
Jimmy “Santiago” Martinez
Ramon Perez
Isabel Sanchez
Angelica Gongora
Melanie Garza
1991
David Alvarado
Andrew Gonzalez
Mary Mitchell
Eddie Cruz
Melissa A. Cardenas
1990
Judge Jose A. Flores
Thomas Lopez, Ph.D.
Hernan Vasquez
Sandy Barrientos
Jesus Guel
Maria Guel
Need More Information
For more information or questions regarding the nomination process, contact:
DiamanteAwards@gmail.com.